I don't know much...

...about Gov. Rick Snyder, except that he likes to call himself "one tough nerd." Elected in the tea party wave of 2010, the Michigan Republican campaigned on a "pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, [and] pro-family," platform with a focus on the economy. He's been one of the many possible candidates mentioned for the 2016 Republican nomination.

As a Democrat, you wouldn't think I'd have much time for Mr. Snyder. But an article in the Times this morning, "Governor of Michigan Vetoes Bill on Guns," caught my attention (my emphasis): 

Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan on Thursday vetoed gun legislation that was supported by the National Rifle Association and approved by wide margins in the state’s Legislature, dominated in both chambers by Mr. Snyder’s fellow Republicans.

Mr. Snyder, who was endorsed by the N.R.A. as he sought a second term as governor last fall, had received a flood of pressure from both sides on the two-bill package in recent days, including letters of opposition from Gabrielle Giffords, the former congresswoman from Arizona who was shot in 2011, and Representative Debbie Dingell, a Democrat of Michigan. 

Mr. Snyder said the package could allow people accused of domestic abuse to obtain concealed pistol licenses. “We simply can’t and won’t take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation,” Mr. Snyder said in a news release. “There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it’s crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse.”

What? A Republican with the courage to stand up to the N.R.A.? Did I read that right?

The other day, I wrote:

When I see a serious Republican candidate have a "Sister Souljah moment" in front of the NRA or a pro-life group, then I'll sit up and take notice.

Well, that didn't take long. Did Rick Snyder just have a "Sister Souljah moment"? As one who considers himself a patriotic American first and a Democrat second, I sure hope so. 

Yesterday, I wrote:

Of all those thought to be weighing a bid [for president in 2016] (and there are many, many more) I can only picture one, Jeb Bush (for his temperament), in the White House.

Maybe now there's one more Republican, besides Jeb, that I would be willing to give a listen to. Keep talking Mr. Snyder.