GWB: It was the gun-rights 'extremists' who elected the Republican House in '94. And they were far more effective in implementing a conservative agenda than anything Bush has done. It was largely those same 'extremists' who defeated Gore in Arkansas and Tennessee in 2000.
Owen:
I know of no statistical evidence to support either of these presumptions.
I know the Dims still flinch at the mention of gun control except in their most liberal bastions like New York. In 2000, they tested the idea that the '94 election was a fluke and they tested the waters of trying to stop the CCW juggernaut in the states. And they lost that bet.
You may not believe it. I don't care. But I do care that the Dims believe it. And they
do.
Yes, principles matter. The Second Amendment
does matter.
Owen:
Indeed, mathematics preclude those presumptions being true. By definition, extremists are a group small in number. You are therefore incorrect.
Did you sleep through the 2000 election or something? Did you miss the part where Floriduh was decided on 500 votes? Miss the part where New Mexico was decided by even fewer votes?
You'll have to grant me a few doubts about your numerical prowess when you ignore the obvious results of the 2000 election. Simple arithmetic will suffice here, no need for calculus.
In most elections, the mushy middle prevails. But long term, it's the 'extremists' who win the day and determine the future.
BTW, you are aware that FR is considered, and in fact
is, an extremist forum? I wouldn't bother with otherwise. Neither would anyone else.