'Pragmatism,' New Jersey style

The New Jersey governor's race comes down to the longtime gun-hating incumbent, John Corzine (D), former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R), and Independent Chris Daggett, who is also clearly no prize for those who think gun rights go beyond sport.

Second Amendment rights must be upheld, because American citizens have the right to bear arms. However, there is a limit when firearms endanger public safety. We support New Jersey’s aggressive gun control laws. The sport of hunting has a long tradition in our state; we support the rights of hunters in New Jersey.

In other words, unless Christie has something going for him, it's a choice between bad and worse. A short National Review Online article sums it up (excerpt):

As discussed on Cam's show, the NRA has not endorsed a candidate in New Jersey. Corzine is rated "F" by the organization (mostly because "Z" isn't an option), while Christie is rated a question mark — usually a sign that a candidate declined to answer the questionnaire.

I don't often say this, but good for the NRA, for not endorsing a candidate who declines to take an unequivocal stance on gun rights.

Then again . . .

Having said that, the NRA has been contributing heavily to the Republican Governors Association, which has been running ads on behalf of both Virginian Bob McDonnell and Christie.

Kinda sounds like "plausibly deniable" contributions to Christie, doesn't it?

But is that so bad--isn't a question mark better than two candidates--the better of whom "support[s] New Jersey's aggressive gun control laws [ranked by the Brady Campaign as second only to California in the tyranny of its gun laws]"? I dunno--you tell me:

If a gun owner in New Jersey is a little wary of Christie, it's understandable; Christie hasn't talked about the issue very much, says he supports the assault-weapons ban and all current gun laws, and opposes attempts to permit conceal-and-carry laws in New Jersey.

And waddya know--someone is apparently trying to "out-prag" the NRA:

The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance has endorsed Chris Christie.

Maybe they should change their name to New Jersey Fudd-Prag Alliance.