Stevensville, Montana rifle maker, Cooper Firearms bounces founder who supports Obama

By Ken Dilanian, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Montana gunsmith Dan Cooper has been ousted as chief executive of the rifle company that bears his name after pressure from gun owners who are angry that he is supporting Democrat Barack Obama.

Cooper, founder and part owner of Cooper Firearms http://www.cooperfirearms.com/ , told USA TODAY in a story published Tuesday that he has voted for Republicans for most of his life, but he is backing Obama "probably because of the war. And also because the Republican Party has moved so far right in recent years." Cooper said he was attracted to the Democrat’s message about "the retooling of America, which involves the building of middle-class jobs and helping American small business be competitive with those overseas."

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-30-gun-ceo-ousted_N.htm?csp=34

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(Original Story in USA Today)

More executives sold on Obama

By Ken Dilanian, USA TODAY

Dan Cooper, a proud member of the National Rifle Association, has backed Republicans for most of his life. He’s the chief executive of Cooper Arms, a small Montana company that makes hunting rifles.

Cooper said he voted for George W. Bush in 2000, having voted in past elections for every Republican presidential nominee back to Richard Nixon. In October 1992, he presented a specially made rifle to the first President. Bush during a Billings campaign event.

This year, Cooper has given $3,300 to the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama. That’s on top of the $1,000 check he wrote to Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign in 2004, after he was dazzled by Obama’s speech at that year’s Democratic National Convention.

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-27-prez-money_N.htm