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The NRA Puts Its Support Behind Mitch McConnell

The NRA Puts Its Support Behind Mitch McConnell
By 

Politics Editor, The Huffington Post

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) received a big boost to his reelection efforts on Saturday, netting an endorsement from the National Rifle Association.

McConnell, who earned an A+ rating from the organization, was praised by NRA Political Victory Fund Chairman Chris W. Cox for his "steadfast support of our Right To Keep and Bear Arms."

"Mitch McConnell is a true champion of our Second Amendment rights, leading the fight against President Obama, Harry Reid and Michael Bloomberg's anti-freedom agenda," Cox said in a statement released by McConnell's campaign.

The endorsement arrives a little more than a month after McConnell captured attention at CPAC for presenting a gun on stage to retiring Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) on stage. Upon receiving the endorsement, McConnell said in a statement that he was "grateful" for the honor from the "foremost champion of the Second Amendment."

"I am grateful to have the NRA’s endorsement and I am honored to continue fighting on behalf of Kentucky’s gun owners to ensure that the liberals in Washington can never trample on our constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms," McConnell added.

HuffPost Pollster's latest compilation of 19 publicly available polls shows McConnell running neck-and-neck with Democratic challenger and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Before getting to Grimes, McConnell must defeat tea party challenger Matt Bevin in the GOP primary. A compilation of nine publicly available polls from last month showed McConnell holding a sizable lead.

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Before You Go

Say Cheese! Mitch McConnell Smiles
We Mean It... Smile!(01 of14)
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It's not often we see Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) crack a smile. He dons his go-to straight face most of the time. Ahead, see the rare grins of the Kentucky senator. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
McConnell Cracks A CPAC Smile(02 of14)
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McConnell waves as he arrives to speak at the 40th annual Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) (credit:AP)
Happy To Hang With Obama(03 of14)
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President Barack Obama is greeted by McConnell as he arrives at the U.S. Captiol for his third day of meetings with members of Congress March 14, 2013. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Leaving The Senate, McConnell Smirks(04 of14)
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McConnell leaves the Senate chamber to caucus in the US Capitol Dec. 30, 2012. (Molly Riley/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Smiley Senate Exit(05 of14)
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McConnell leaves his office and walks toward the Senate floor on Capitol Hill March 22, 2013. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ready For His Close Up(06 of14)
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McConnell tours the stage during preparations at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Aug 26, 2012. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
A Smile And A Hug(07 of14)
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McConnell greets US President Barack Obama following Obama's address to a Joint Session of Congress about the US economy and job creation Sept. 8, 2011. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
McConnell Happily Takes To The Podium(08 of14)
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McConnell smiles as he speaks to the press with fellow Republican senators John Barroso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas at the Capitol Aug. 2, 2011. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Thumbs Up!(09 of14)
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McConnell gives the the thumbs-up as he walks to the Senate floor after a deal was reached to avert a US default at the Capitol in Washington July 31, 2011. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sworn In And Smiling(10 of14)
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McConnell is sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney as his wife Labor Secretary Elaine Chao holds the Bible during a swearing in reenactment ceremony at the US Capitol Jan. 6, 2009. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Smiling On Stage At RNC(11 of14)
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McConnell smiles during sound check at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa, Fla., Aug 27, 2012. (Scott Eells/Bloomberg via Getty) (credit:Getty Images)
Something's Funny!(12 of14)
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McConnell laughs with Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson at the annual ham breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, Ky., in 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) (credit:AP)
McConnell Laughs Some More(13 of14)
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Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) jokes with reporters as McConnell, laughs in the Ohio Clock Corridor following the Senate Republicans' policy lunch in June 21, 2011. (Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call) (credit:Getty Images)
Lots Of Laughing (14 of14)
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Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), McConnell, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), share a laugh during news conference in the Capitol after a meeting of Senate Republicans, Feb. 8, 2012. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (credit:Getty Images)
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