Analysts: Gun Control a Non-Issue in 2004

fox news ^ | 10-13-03 | kelley vlahos

[wheelgunguru]

WASHINGTON

[Brian S]

Gun rights activists say if gun control were to become an issue in the 2004 election, it will be over the assault weapons ban reauthorization. Republican sources say debate is already emerging among the GOP rank-and-file in the House whether to fight it, and talk has centered around whether gun advocates will be inclined to go all out for President Bush if he signs a new ban.

“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt. “It would put gun owners in a real foul mood.”

You can bet your ass that it will!!!

[Brian S]

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[Lion Den Dan]

Total Bull shit.

[45Auto]

Amen on the AW ban sunset. For me, that is one of two issues that I am not willing to compromise on. It will set the tone for my future political financial contributions.

The RATs, however, are a devious bunch, not to be trusted on the RKBA. The very minute they again perceive that are "in charge", will be the minute they re-introduce all the same old, tired, unconstitutional (but, hey, who cares about that old document; the 'new' judges will find a way around that) BS gun-control (read: people control) bills once again. Think President Hillary, AG Schumer, and Senate Majority leader Ted (The Fat Boy) Kennedy. I no longer consider the RATs to be merely "the loyal opposition", but rather as "enemies of Freedom."

[45Auto]

Republican sources say debate is already emerging among the GOP rank-and-file in the House whether to fight it, and talk has centered around whether gun advocates will be inclined to go all out for President Bush if he signs a new ban.

Gun advocates? Do they mean anti-gun advocates??? If Bush Junior signs a reauthorization bill....if the Repubo-controlled House and Senate pass such a bill.....I am not one make idle threats, and it might be a solid bet that whoever the RAT candidate is he will not beat Bush, but the bigger question is: How much of a betting man is Bush? For me, the AW ban sunset or its reauthorization will be the defining moment for my political/financial support. Some have called me a single issue voter; maybe so, but I see the way a politician views the RKBA as the way he views the entire Bill of Rights.

[Mr. Mojo]

“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt.

It may just send him to defeat.

[Mr. Mojo]

For me, the AW ban sunset or its reauthorization will be the defining moment for my political/financial support.

I hear ya, but the fact is that Bush made clear his stance on the issue during the campaign (saying that he supports the AWB), and that didn't stop most of us from voting for him back then.

[Dan from Michigan]

“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt. “It would put gun owners in a real foul mood.”

Strike 1 - Patroit Act
Strike 2 - Campaign Finance Reform
Foul Ball - Big Spending
Foul Ball - Control the Borders
Foul Ball - No Child Left Behind
Foul Ball - TALKING about signing the AW ban.

I've given more chances to someone than I normally do on my issues because of party loyality and because of the dems. If he doesn't sign it, I'll vote for him in the general. If he does sign it, I do what I have to do.

[Dan from Michigan]

If he signs it, he can say goodbye to Michigan. Macomb, Monroe, The UP, Northern Lower, Shiawasse, Eaton, and maybe even Lenawee he can kiss good bye. He can also run 5pts lower in some key counties over this. Does he want 62% in Livingston? Or 57%

[45Auto]

It may just send him to defeat.

Like I said, I wonder if the Pres is a good poker player? Arnold won in California for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that a considerable number of RATs crossed-over. I am not sure if Bush's popularity will remain high enough to actually produce enough "Bush Democrats" in 2004 should he really piss-off his base. The sunset date of the rotten AW ban is barely five weeks before the election in '04; right on the front burner, really fresh in the minds of people like me, whose sole reason for being active politically is the RKBA. A lot of people (including many Freepers) criticize those of us who work every day for the RKBA as being "too narrow"; maybe so, but for me, as goes the 2nd, so goes the Republic.

If a Repubo House, a Repubo Senate and a Repubo White House cannot (or will not) send this piece of unconstitutional crap to its demise, then there really is no hope at all for the future of the Republic. It will only be a matter of time until both main parties blend into each other like cheap wine. They already have a lot in common on certain issues.

[jjm2111]

"It may just send him to defeat."

I wonder if all the President's men realize how inflexible many gunowners are on this issue. I certainly won't vote for Bush if he reauthorizes the law.

[45Auto]

I know his position on the so-called AW ban; he was right up front about it before the last election. I hope he can be made to "see the light", especially since his win in 2000 was not by very much. Had he made it in a landslide, say, 60 Bush/40 Gore, then he might have enough political capitol to give the RKBA advocates the finger in '04 and still win. Like I said, I wonder if the Pres is a good poker player? Even against a goof ball like Howard Dean, I wonder if he can afford to thumb his nose at a big part of his voter base? I'm betting he doesn't want to see such a reauthorization bill on his desk, especially just five weeks before the next election. I suppose he could play it cool, let the bill sit around until after the election, then sign it. If such a thing passes both Houses of Congress, we must make sure that we find out how he's going to go before the election.

[Mr. Mojo]

Speaking of single-issue voting, have you ever read L. Neil Smith's piece on the subject?

He's right on target.

[jjm2111]

" I suppose he could play it cool, let the bill sit around until after the election, then sign it. If such a thing passes both Houses of Congress, we must make sure that we find out how he's going to go before the election."

That's a scary thought.

[The South Texan]

Translation: Democrats, you better not make it an issue or you will lose even more seats in Congress and State legisltures around the country.

[LibKill]

Somehow I think that Bush will find a way to ignore the NEW Assault Weapons ban.

He isn't stupid, and he got to be governer of Texas by promising that he would sign the CHL act that Ann Richards had Sh-t on.

And he does NOT want to lose Texas in 2004.

He knows that many of us Texans are 'single issue' voters.

As I am. If you screw around with the right to keep and bear arms I have no time for you, no matter what else you may have done. It is even bigger than the abortion issue for me.

[Constitutional Patriot]

The anti-gun left will keep silent on this issue knowing full well that when they state their opinion they lose elections.

Americans should vote for candidates based on the the positions of the candidates whether they state these positions or not.

[45Auto]

I'm not supirsed by anything the devious bastards do. We all must be idiots because we continue to vote for the same jerk-offs who have stabbed us in the back time and time again. We must be insane to think someday "they will all change for the better". I don't necessarily mean Pres. Bush, but in general, politicians will do whatever it takes to get elected and re-elected. I'm sorry to say that most of 'em would sell their mothers if that would guarantee another term. I wouldn't be suprised to see the damn thing sunset, only to be re-introduced after the November election in '04. A lot depends on the predictions relative to the House/Senate makeup after this election. So far, the US Senate has proven to be George Bush' nemesis; a handful of RATs have successfully thwarted some really good judicial nominees; we will see how the parital birth abortion ban fares in the Senate. If nothing much changes in '04, Bush will be hard-pressed to get anything passed and signed, except for RAT-bills; he might just be open to some backhanded compromises at that point.