David Keene
David Keene | |
---|---|
National Rifle Association of America | |
In office 2011–2013 | |
Preceded by | Ron Schmeits |
Succeeded by | James W. Porter II |
Personal details | |
Born | David Arthur Keene May 20, 1945 University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA ) |
David Arthur Keene (born May 20, 1945) is an American political consultant, former presidential advisor, and newspaper editor, formerly the Opinion Editor of
Early life and education
Raised in
Political career
After graduating from college, he ran for the Wisconsin State Senate in 1969 at age 24 in a special election to replace
Keene later worked as a political assistant to Vice President
Keene went on to become the southern regional coordinator for
A campaign consultant or advisor to countless local and state campaigns, Politico's Andy Barr commented that at the peak of his power he had been "counted as one of the few men with both the ear of Republican presidents and an ability to influence the grassroots."[6]
From 2006 to 2007, Keene represented the Nigerian and Algerian governments while working for Carmen Group, a DC lobbying firm.[7][8]
Civil liberties
Keene is best known for his efforts on behalf of gun rights. He was appointed by the Bush White House to serve as public delegate to the UN Small Arms and Light Weapons Conference.
In 2007, Keene co-founded the American Freedom Agenda (AFA), which describes itself as "a coalition established to restore checks and balances and civil liberties protections under assault by the executive branch."[9] (In 2007, Keene resigned from the AFA.) He also co-chairs the Constitution Project's Liberty and Security Committee, and has said that "the right to appeal one's detention to an independent judge is a cornerstone of responsible, conservative governance."[10] He has been critical of the Patriot Act,[11] and he has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to limit the effects of the act.[12]
Keene was Chairman of the
He co-chairs the Constitution Project's "Liberty & Security" initiative with David Cole of the ACLU that has since 9/11 critiqued government security and surveillance measures in terms of their impact on individual privacy and constitutional rights.
Media appearances
On March 25, 2017, Keene was a guest on Against the Current (ATC), a "content series devoted to in-depth topical conversations between [radio host] Dan Proft and distinguished guests that are masters in their field of study."[14][15] ATC's parent organization Upstream Ideas wrote that Keene and Proft discussed "the fundamental problem of how to roll back the size and scope of government."[15] They also talked about lessons that could be learned from the NRA as a successful political movement. Keene also offered his thoughts on media.[15]
In June 2021, Keene was tricked into giving a high school graduation speech defending gun rights in front of 3,044 empty chairs — one for each student who might have graduated in 2021 had they not been a victim of gun violence.
Awards
In 2004, Keene received the
Personal life
In 2004 Keene married Donna Wiesner Keene, Senior Fellow at the Independent Women's Forum and an appointee in the Reagan, Bush and Bush Administrations. He has five children, Tracey, Kerry, David Michael, Taylor, and Lisa.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Craig Gilbert (February 16, 2013). "NRA chief David Keene, a gentleman who sticks to his guns". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
- ^ ANDREW J. SHEEAN. "IN THE EYE OF THE STORM: CONSERVATIVE STRUGGLES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, 1956-1968" (PDF). Uwarchive.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- The Milwaukee Sentinel, January 8, 1970
- ^ Keene, David (1997). "Campaign Finance: Life as a Political Consultant". Journal of Law and Policy. 1 (6): 57. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene Endorses Mitt Romney". Fox News. 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ^ Andy Barr (13 February 2011). "The complex legacy of David Keene". Politico. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011.
- ^ https://www.fara.gov/docs/5727-Short-Form-20080229-32.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://www.fara.gov/docs/5727-Exhibit-AB-20060117-1.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Inside Politics:Liberal applause" The Washington Times, 21 March 2007
- ^ "Conservative Leaders Call for Habeas Restoration As Supreme Court Hears Landmark Cases". The Constitution Project. December 5, 2007. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ "Oversee the PATRIOT Act | The American Spectator". Spectator.org. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ^ "Does the USA PATRIOT Act Diminish Civil Liberties? - ACLU Pros & Cons - ProCon.org". Aclu.procon.org. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ^ David Crary, Law curbing inmates' lawsuits questioned, USA Today, February 13, 2008
- ^ "Against The Current". Upstream Ideas. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ^ a b c "ATC W/ David Keene Of ACU, NRA: The Leviathan Always Grows". Upstream Ideas. 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ^ Niemietz, Brian (24 June 2021). "Ex-NRA leader duped into delivering graduation speech to empty chairs representing dead students". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
- ^ Lost Class 1/3, archived from the original on 2021-12-13, retrieved 2021-07-14
- ^ 11990-9781510719958-shall-not-be-infringed