Posted on 06/23/2004 10:53:54 AM PDT by neverdem
CAMPAIGN 2004
Sandlin, Stenholm fret over polarizing conservative voters
Some Democrats in tight re-election races are opposing a renewal of the assault-weapons ban, despite its overwhelming support from Democratic Party leaders.
The ban, which was enacted in 1994, prohibits the sale of certain assault weapons. With the ban’s expiration looming in September, several lawmakers are rallying to extend it for another 10 years.
However, the often contentious and polarizing issue has pinned some Democrats into an awkward political position of deciding whether to support their leaders or echo what their constituents want.
Democrats who oppose extending the ban are Rep. Charlie Stenholm, running against Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R) in Texas’s 19th District; Rep. Max Sandlin, seeking Texas’s 1st District seat; Rep. Rodney Alexander in Louisiana’s 5th District; and Rep. Rick Boucher in Virginia’s 9th District seat.
Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) supports the current ban but has not determined whether he would vote to renew it, according to Frost spokesman Justin Kitsch.
Kitsch said Frost, who is locked in a heated battle for the state’s 32nd District against incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions (R), does not expect the issue to come up before the election.
“We see no indication that the Republicans are going to bring this up,” he said.
But other Democrats have taken a firmer position.
“If a bill comes to floor that will renew assault weapons ban, I will vote against it,” said Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) “In my congressional district, we have many people who own firearms and use them responsibly. They oppose gun control, just as I do.”
Meanwhile, the administration has kept mum on the issue, although Bush campaigned to renew the ban in 2000.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has worked with lawmakers since 1994 to repeal the ban and is heading the effort to prevent the ban’s extension.
Gun control could be the issue that will decide the fate of many incumbents whose re-elections prospects hang in the balance, according to NRA spokeswoman Kelly Hobbs.
“The political graveyard is full of people who voted for this law in 1994. Gun owners went to the polls in droves to remove many of these [people], including the sitting speaker of the House, who voted to ban these firearms,” Hobbs said.
The NRA will not release its endorsements, including presidential and congressional, until the fall. But Hobbs said the NRA is certain that the ban will see its last day in September.
“We’re certainly making sure [lawmakers] understand the difference between fact and fiction. The House seems to have a good understanding of that because [it] voted to repeal the ban in 1996,” she said. “We’re confident this law would be allowed to sunset.”
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) introduced a bill in February that would add another decade to the assault-weapons ban.
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), the only Democratic co-sponsor of Castle’s bill, issued legislation in May that would not only extend the ban but expand it to include so-called “copycat” assault weapons, which are modified versions of the original weapons, according to Dylan Jones, McCarthy’s legislative director.
Jones said the bill could languish in committee for some time as a result of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) strong opposition to the ban.
Gun-control advocates are hoping that Hastert (R-Ill.), who has been urged by police groups to extend the ban, will schedule a floor vote in the coming months. Asked last week if a floor vote will be scheduled, Hastert told The Hill, “I don’t know.”
McCarthy this week criticized the NRA on the House floor, claiming the group is mischaracterizing the late President Reagan’s position on assault weapons: “During a close vote on the assault-weapons ban [in 1994], President Reagan made calls to undecided members urging for a yes vote.”
McCarthy told The Hill that she is working with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to garner support for extending the ban. She said it is unlikely Democrats will launch a discharge petition to force the ban bill to the floor. Instead, McCarthy said, she and Castle will work behind the scenes to secure a floor vote.
She added that Democrats will push the White House as well, saying, “Bush made a promise.”
A Democratic leadership aide said Pelosi will apply pressure on Republicans to schedule a floor vote.
In the Northeast, Reps. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), who has been a vocal proponent of the ban, Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.), Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.) and Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) support extending the ban and are among the co-sponsors of Castle’s bill.
Members who declined to comment by press time include Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), running for re-election in the state’s 2nd District; Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.), who recently defeated former state Sen. Larry Diedrich in a special election; and Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), who will challenge Republican Duane Sand in the fall.
Bob Cusack contributed to this article.
BANG BANG BANG
Maybe some of them figured out why they did so poorly in the '94 elections.
Practice makes perfect.
Sunshine patriots like this make me ill. They should be opposing the AWB because it is unConstitutional. Instead they are more worried about getting re-elected. That kind of attitude should automaticly preclude them from ever holding office.
As soon as they get into office, though, they'll vote for every gun ban that comes along.
Kitsch said Frost, who is locked in a heated battle for the state’s 32nd District against incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions (R), does not expect the issue to come up before the election.
“We see no indication that the Republicans are going to bring this up,” he said.
Sounds like this is Frost's way of saying that he is for a renewal!
FYI..McCarthy, who first won her seat on a sympathy vote after her husband was killed by a lunatic on a LI commuter train, is in a very tight race this year..
I used to live near her C.D. I still live in NY.
"Waffle BANG"...Houston ping...
Later,
Steve
Ya wanna trade?..I'm in CHappaqua, next door to you-know-who..and to add insult to injury, when NY redisticed after 2000, my congresscritter went from Sue Kelley to Nita Lowey. I "gained" 75points on the ADA ratings, and 75 lbs more congresscritter..
I don't think there's any gain or loss trading Eliot Engel for Nita Lowey. LOL
Eliot Engel ( perish the thought ) ain't NO Sue Kelley..she's quite good..conservative..voted for all the articles of impeachment.. I think that's why they took Chappaqua out of her district..
"However, the often contentious and polarizing issue has pinned some Democrats into an awkward political position of deciding whether to support their leaders or echo what their constituents want. "
Did this bother anyone else? What do these twits think will happen if they ignore their constituents? I have never understood how or why Feinstein tries to impose her insanity over the whole country.
AWB2 = No vote for bush
Just like RAT's N RINOS to take a stand on thin air......
AWB stopped "new" SAW's with flash supressors and bayonet lugs. Number of drive by Oh Dark Thirty bayonetings has remained at a constant level.............sero !
Stay safe and save yer duckets for Sept 14th magazine sale !
It's the old argument. Does a pol vote for principle, or does the pol for vote for his or her constituents' interests? Look at how the pubbies vote for pork since they became the majority party.
I wouldn't trust a DemocRat to babysit my children, why should I trust them when they pander for my 2A vote? Screw 'em I'm voting for those that always voted against gun control.
Which proves once again the dems will say ANYTHING to get elected.
Yes, that appears to be the case.
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