Capitol Hill is quiet today as Congress enjoys its Spring break, but one pol who’s not staying silent this week is Michael Bloomberg. The New York City Mayor and a group of mayors are launching a ten state, multi-million dollar TV ad campaign focused on pressuring key senators to throw their weight behind gun safety legislation that would expand background checks. Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Mayor Bloomberg pointed to polling and evidence that supports such legislation, while pointing the finger at members of congress for not taking action. NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre countered, telling NBC’s David Gregory that Bloomberg’s position on guns is “reckless.” LaPierre also tried to undermine Bloomberg’s efforts to counter the NRA, by saying the Mayor “can’t buy America.” But while Bloomberg cited public opinion, law and even Supreme Court opinion, LaPierre only seemed able to cite his own talking points, at one point even contradicting his own 1999 position on background checks. It is now more than 100 days after the massacre in Newtown, CT. Last week, the senate shelved plans to vote on an assault weapons ban. Will Bloomberg’s money help put reform efforts back on track? Or create an even bigger divide? We’ll delve into the debate and more when we see you at noon ET on msnbc.
PANEL
Fmr. Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), NBC News Political Analyst (@govedrendell)
Joy Reid, Managing editor, theGrio.com/msnbc Contributor (@thereidreport)
Josh Barro, Columnist, Bloomberg View (@jbarro)
Rana Foroohar, Assistant Managing Editor, TIME (@ranaforoohar)
GUEST
Earvin Magic Johnson (@magicjohnson)
Robert Gifford