The NRA has to look at the entire political calculus as to what is best for stopping anti-gunners. Though Reid is repugnant, he's 100% better than Lugar on gun issues. He's 1000% better than this guy, our most implacable enemy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/us/politics/29schumer.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/us/politics/29schumer.html