McCain To Speak At the NRA Convention

Aides say Sen. John McCain has accepted an invitation to speak at the National Rifle Association's annual exposition and convention next week in Louisville, KY.

He will appear on Friday afternoon, an NRA spokesman said.

McCain has authored legislation tightening loopholes at gun shows and wants to reduce the flood of cheap guns into the market, but he opposes restrictions on so-called assault weapons and does not support holding gun manufacturers liable for illegal gun trafficking. In South Carolina last year, McCain said simply that he believes in "no gun control."

The NRA has sparred with McCain over campaign finance regulation, and the Gun Owners of America, more hardline than the NRA, has given McCain an "F-" ranking for his alleged apostasies.

Courting the NRA has benefits -- its millions and millions of members, including many Democrats -- and its risks. The NRA would probably do Sen. McCain's bidding regardless -- Obama presents such a contrast on gun rights. There's a chance that appearances before groups like the NRA could undercut McCain's effort to attract soft Republicans, independents and Democrats -- precisely the groups with which he underperforms today.

An NRA spokesman had no immediate comment.