Dean Takes Front-Runner Status Nationally for First Time

Gallup News Service ^ | December 9, 2003 | Frank Newport

[VasilyZaitsev]

Actually, the socially conservative, "blue collar" wing of the DNC continues to have good relationships with the NRA. Rep. John Dingell (D) of Michigan is a classic example of an NRA supported Democrat.

Let me emphasize the point that it was those pro-life, pro-gun, working class, "Reagan Democrats" who delivered the critical swing votes that insured the presidency for Dubya in 2000. Though Bush will once again get the single issue pro-life voters next year, the pro-gun voters will be a lot more problematic unless Bush's current White House political advisors are replaced with those who oppose renewal the 1994 assault weapons ban, and Bush himself states he will NOT sign that bill.

[dirtboy]

Soooo, just who will all those gun-owning Reagan Democrats, independents, union members, etc., who decisively supported Clinton over Dole in 1996, and Bush over Gore in 2000, be voting for next November?

Bush, if they look closer. Dean sees gun ownership as a state perogative - which means states could restrict or ban gun ownership without the interference of a Dean Administration, whereas he should properly see it as a federal, 2nd Amendment right - and for whatever problems exist with the Bush Admin and the nasty-looking rifle ban, it is the position of his Justice Department that the 2nd Amendment infers an individual, not a collective right.

[j_k_l]

If the "the socially conservative, "blue collar" wing of the DNC" or members of the NRA vote for Dean, they get what they deserve.

Wisdom calls for the voter to compare the two canidates views on ALL, eh hmmmm A - L - L the issues and vote for the one who scores higher. There are only two canidates that have a chance to win. It's A or B (C is a vote for B and not voting is a vote for B).

[j_k_l]

Is it just me or does it look like the guy behind him is holding up his right arm? Is Dean that skewed to the left?

[AmericanMade1776]

Yes..The Man behind Dean is holding up his arm with his right hand and GOOSING him with his Left...ironic..isn't it , that the right hand is supportive and the left hand is goosing.

[shekkian]

I have a theory, based on the recent trend in the NH primaries.
The man to watch is not who comes out in front, but who comes in second place.

1992: #1 Paul Tsongas
#2 Bill Clinton
1996: #1 Pat Buchanon
#2 Bob Dole
2000: #1 John McCain
#2 George W. Bush

Then again, I could be wrong.

[Southack]

"What did NRA members gain by working so hard to elect Dubya in 2000? Have any of the gun control laws passed during Clinton's two terms been repealed?"

Yes, President Bush signed into law two bills that repealed the federal ban on any pilots ever being armed.

President Bush also Ordered Attorney-General Ashcroft to formally notify the Supreme Court that the OFFICIAL U.S. government position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports INDIVIDUAL rights to own firearms, NOT a leftist-imagined *collective* right.

And President Bush told the United Nations we weren't interested in their plans for gun control (i.e. the International Ban on Small Arms Trafficking Treaty), too.

You'll also find that President Bush has been working with Congress to give full immunity to all American firearms manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits by cities and states and various left-wing organizations.

[Dan from Michigan]

Bush is a mixed bag on this issue.

Good:
1. Told the UN to go to hell.
2. Said he's sign a bill stopping frivolous gun manufacturers.
3. Said the 2nd Amendment is an individual right. Bad:
1. Campaign finance law.
2. SAID he'd sign the AW ban renewal(what he does determines my vote).

[Southack]

Why would the AW Ban renewal even make it to the President's desk?

Also, wouldn't you add to your "good" list the signing into law of two bills that armed pilots? Surely that's better than vetoing them.

[Southack]

Another thing: wouldn't you add Governor Bush's signing into law CCW for Texas?

[Dan from Michigan]

Why would the AW Ban renewal even make it to the President's desk?

ANYTHING can happen. Currently, I don't expect it to, but another Columbine and all bets are off.

I forgot armed pilots. Minor win, but I still can't carry there.

[Dan from Michigan]

Another thing: wouldn't you add Governor Bush's signing into law CCW for Texas?

Not for his record as president. It was important in the 2000 race, but 04 is different.

[Southack]

"Not for his record as president. It was important in the 2000 race, but 04 is different."

If he had vetoed CCW as governor, you wouldn't hold it against him in '04?!

His signing CCW was more important to me than that. I would still be upset today if he had vetoed it instead.