I may be off base but I wonder how much the NRA actually wants this case to be heard? If it goes in our favor will the NRA lose membership?
The NRA, like anyone on this board, is loathe to take the big step and gamble all the marbles. Let's put it in terms that we can all understand. You own a house that has had rooms taken control of by legislators. They declared your master bedroom off limits. Next it was your upstairs bathroom, but soon it was the entire 2nd floor. Before you knew it, you were forced into your own basement and living next to a coal stove. You fought back and won battle after battle and now live on the first floor with an oil heater and air conditioner. It isn't as great as having your second floor back but it sure beats the basement.
Now, someone knocks at the door and says, hey I'm a miracle salesman, here is a long shot special, you may get your second story back but you might lose the whole house if it goes wrong AND it goes against your current strategy to reclaim your house. What do you think? You want to buy in on this great deal? How many of you would take that shot? Be realistic, and think about it. Most of you, if you are honest with yourself, would probably not risk all the hardwork you have on a longshot. Those of you with a gambling problem and empty pockets might, but for someone who has labored a long time to get out of the basement it is a lot to lose.
If Heller is a no, it is a huge blow and erases years of hard work. Sure the NRA has some egos in it and they want to save the day just like so many Internet Junkies who think they could lead the U.S. through a revolution and go on to be the next George Washington or whoever they fancy. The NRA had a plan, they were executing, and have done some good things for gun rights. To claim otherwise is pure idiocy and not worth giving any attention to. Would Wayne love to be the guy that nailed this decision, sure. How many of us on this board wouldn't love to be Levy or Gura right now?
Heller shows up on the scene (as a case not as a person), the NRA sees the huge risk it presents to their plan, they launch what they believe the correct plan is to save "their" house, and now they are relying on that door to door salesman who promises to clean out the infestation of legislators.
Besides, even if Heller is decided in the gun rights movement favor, there is still a ton of work to do to get back the 2nd floor. Heller just gets us access to the stairway. After it is a ll said and done, Wayne will be old and out. The NRA will change, just as it changed from its original roots into the entity we have today. The NRA will still need members to fight battles and possibly more to fight them at the state level. That is where gun control will go next, count on it.