The NRA’s pro-incumbent instincts work out to the benefit of another endangered Democrat: The NRA-ILA has just endorsed Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota.

This might be a good time to check out my interview with Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action.

I didn’t want to berate Cox; there’s a great deal of logic to the organization’s aim to establish allies on both sides of the aisle, and there’s something principled about sticking with endangered lawmakers who stick with them. But it seems like a lot of rural Democrats who represent districts that voted for Bush and McCain have figured out that when they’re accused of being liberals, as long as they never vote wrong on guns, they can always point to their NRA endorsement and use that as cover. I’d hate for America’s foremost gun rights organization to turn into a life preserver for a bunch of liberal lawmakers who give lip service to the rest of our Constitutional rights.

The Republican challenger for this seat, Kristi Noem, is a solid supporter of the Second Amendment and she won’t vote for the stimulus or vote to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker.

Noem is touting her own key sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters from across the state.

Vote freedom first? Well, I want somebody who will free us from Obamacare.