Kerry Reshapes Agenda for Gun-Control Lobby

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 8/20/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. John Kerry's desire to be viewed as a gun-toting Democrat has left the gun-control lobby noticeably silent during the 2004 presidential campaign, relegated to the sidelines on an issue that played a significant role in the election four years ago.

One of the nation's leading gun-control organizations, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, has focused almost exclusively on the soon-to-expire "assault weapons" ban, making little mention of the election itself. But in 2000, the group spent $5 million, most of it targeted at President George W. Bush.

Kerry, meanwhile, has orchestrated campaign stops in an effort to appeal to gun owners. With a gun in hand, he staged events at Wisconsin's Gunslick Trap Club in July and on the Iowa plains in October.

Kerry's strategy was outlined last fall by the gun-control group Americans for Gun Safety, along with the Democratic Leadership Council and pollster Mark Penn, who advised Democrats to tone down their harsh rhetoric.

"Democratic candidates for president are taking the gun issue to the political center, rejecting the most far-reaching gun restrictions supported by former candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley," a February press release from Americans for Gun Safety says.

But since Democrats have wrapped up their primary -- clashing at times over former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's top rating from the National Rifle Association -- the gun issue has disappeared from the forefront of the campaign.

"I'm not sure why Kerry isn't focusing more on the gun violence prevention issue," said Chad Ramsey, a regional director for the Brady Campaign. "I think it's fine that he's showing he's a hunter. There are a lot of hunters who agree that assault weapons should be banned."

Although Kerry's use of gun imagery in the campaign doesn't bother the Brady Campaign, pro-gun groups like the National Rifle Association have made much of Kerry's photo opportunities. The NRA's television ads aim to focus attention on Kerry's voting record instead.

"John Kerry's record speaks volumes about his views against the Second Amendment," said Kelly Hobbs, an NRA spokeswoman. "A John Kerry administration would be tantamount to a death sentence for Second Amendment rights."

The Brady Campaign's Ramsey didn't dispute Kerry's voting record. After all, Kerry has consistently received a 100 percent rating from the group. Kerry also took time out of his campaign in March to fly to Washington to vote in favor of extending the gun ban.

"I don't think Kerry is trying to be someone he's not. That's part of his persona; he goes hunting. He is an excellent shot. That's part of who he is, and there's no sense hiding that," Ramsey said. "I think he also has not hidden the fact that he believes in gun violence prevention and has voted that way every time he's had a chance to."

But after Al Gore touted his support for strict gun control during his 2000 presidential bid, Democrats have recognized the drawbacks of doing so. Gore lost Arkansas, his home state of Tennessee and West Virginia, which could have turned the election his way.

"Gore was advocating federal licensing, and that's a pretty radical thing," said Matt Bennett, an adviser to Americans for Gun Safety. "Kerry certainly doesn't support that. And Kerry's gone out of his way on the campaign trail, both during the primaries and recently, to do events where he's shooting to make clear to people he's a hunter, a sports shooter and a gun owner."

Other gun-control supporters dismiss the notion that Gore's tough rhetoric cost him the election. New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's spokesman, Rob Recklaus, said the impact of groups like the NRA has been exaggerated.

"There's a misconception that somehow, the pro-gun [vote] cost Gore the election in 2000," Recklaus said. "The NRA keeps on saying the original 1994 assault weapons ban and the Brady Bill were the reasons the Democrats lost the election. It's completely revisionist. There were a lot of things going on in 1994 that cost the Democrats the House, and I don't think guns were one of them."

Not so, according to Erich Pratt, spokesman for Gun Owners of America. Even former President Bill Clinton estimated that the 1994 gun ban cost 20 Democrats their jobs, giving Republicans control of Congress.

"The firearms issue is one of the strongest single issues that plays in a voter's mind," Pratt said. "What an NRA or a GOA has to say about a candidate is going to make a huge difference. This is an issue that will pull people, no matter what their political affiliation."

Pratt suggested that Kerry's effort to appear gun-friendly might be why gun-control groups have taken a lesser role in his campaign.

"You almost wonder if the Kerry campaign has asked the Brady [Campaign] to put a zip on it and keep quiet," Pratt said. "I think it would be suicide for them to go into the suburban and rural areas. But New York City, places like that, their issue may sell to voters. But once you get outside of there, you really don't find widespread support for their issues."

Ramsey of the Brady Campaign dismissed those suggestions or that there was infighting among gun-control groups about how to handle Kerry.

"We're still the preeminent gun violence prevention organization out there. When it comes to that, the politicians come to us and ask policy advice," Ramsey said. "There's no battle for who has the ear of who's running for president."

See Earlier Story:
Republicans Head to Convention Divided on Gun Ban (Aug. 19, 2004)

E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.

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[Dead Corpse]

In case you missed it, Bush the Elder WAS a Republican. Fat lot of good that did us.

But yes, I am voting for GW this fall. Unless he does something boneheaded on teh gun control front between now and then. He screws us like his daddy did and I'll vote for the LP candidate even though I disagree with HIM on his Terror War stance.

The LP is THE pro-gun political party. Despite their other flaws. No other political party can come anywhere close.

[GailA]

btt

[GailA]

The brady bunch will be silent until they get their shill elected. Then with his anti-2nd Amendment judges/justices he will gut the 2nd Amendment even worse than before.

[Shooter 2.5]

The LP isn't the pro-gun party you think it is. If a party isn't in office, good intentions mean nothing. It's results that count.
We had a liberal last time and we have a moderate this time. There's no reason to push the clock back to anti-gun Bills introduced in the Rose Garden every month. We have stopped gun control for now. I'm hoping in another four years, we can elect a true conservative Pro-gun candidate and roll back some of the gun laws.
Because of the Republican Party, the AWB will sunset and not because of the Libertarians or the dems.

[B4Ranch]

Don't put too much faith in the Republicans!!!.........BECAUSE THE ..... Republicans Head to Convention Divided on Gun Ban"

[elbucko]

Any gun owner who buys such stinking BS needs to be smacked upside the head for being too stupid to own a firearm, much less vote.

Well put. My sentiments, exactly. Anyone knowing a gun owner that votes for Kerry should shun him and ridicule him in public. A gun owning Kerry voter should have his picture with his name, posted on the bulletin board at the shooting range, as an example of a traitor.

[Dead Corpse]

The LP isn't the pro-gun party you think it is.

While I agree that they are ineffective at getting elected, you'd be hard pressed to find one that is pro-gun control. It goes against everything the LP platform tries to set up. Can't say the same about Republicans. How many restrictions on Gun Rights did Bush Sr. put in place? McCain was all for the Brady Bill wasn't he? Who was President in '86 when the ammo ban was passed? Do I need to run down the list of Republicans that voted for the Brady Bill?

Results? Which two political parties have dominated over the last hundred year? What is the result?

Yeah, we have recently begun reversing the tide by getting CCW enacted at the State level. We've gotten next to NOTHING at the Federal level where the biggest infringements of our Rights are being perpetrated.

You really think the limp wrists in the GOP are gonna run a hard core, openly pro-gun candidate against Hillary if she runs in '08? Yeah right. It'll be an even more compassionate Conservative and you damn well know it.

[ibbryn]

I agree with both of you so I vote AGAINST the dems at the Federal level and FOR the LP at the local level, where they actually have a chance of winning.

[Dead Corpse]

Yeah, I'm planning on doing that this year as well. Last election I voted straight LP ticket. Wrote my own name in on un-opposed candidates.

[Shooter 2.5]

Bullsh!t. Ten out of fifty??
Here's the Senators that are going against the sunset: Sens. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.), Susan Collins (Maine), Mike DeWine (Ohio), Peter Fitzgerald (Ill.), Judd Gregg (N.H.), Richard Lugar (Ind.), Gordon Smith (Ore.), Olympia Snowe (Maine), George Voinovich (Ohio) and John Warner (Va.). What about the other forty who are for your rights?

A better plan is to get rid of the dems out of conservative states like in the South and West.

[Dead Corpse]

Forty ain't a majority. Considering how much pull some of those names have withing the GOP, how they did in their Primaries, and how many will be speaking at the Convention...

Y'all need a LOT of work. I'd do what I can, but I'm not voting for a RINO. Either put real candidates on the ballot, or get out of the way for the RLC.

[Shooter 2.5]

Forty Pro-gun Senators out of Fifty isn't a majority?? Your plan would be to turn control of the Senate and Congress over to the anti-gunners.

[Dead Corpse]

Last I checked, there are 100 Senators in the US Congress and it requires 51 to pass a bill. It takes 60 to bring it to a vote.

[Dead Corpse]

And no... the plan would be to get rid of the RINO's voting for gun control and get some REAL conservatives who may have acutally done more than glance at the Constitution elected.

Instead of just going with whoever the GOP has put their stamp of approval on. After all, they love John McCain.

[xm177e2]

"You almost wonder if the Kerry campaign has asked the Brady [Campaign] to put a zip on it and keep quiet," Pratt said. "I think it would be suicide for them to go into the suburban and rural areas. But New York City, places like that, their issue may sell to voters. But once you get outside of there, you really don't find widespread support for their issues."

Would that be illegal collusion between a candidate and a 527? Is the Brady Campaign even a 527?

[Badray]

"Vote a straight Republican Ballot this November."

Correction:

Vote for actual Republicans this November, not RINOs.

[Badray]

"The brady bunch will be silent until they get their shill elected. Then with his anti-2nd Amendment judges/justices he will gut the 2nd Amendment even worse than before."

Which candidate are you talking about?

[B4Ranch]

>>A better plan is to get rid of the dems out of conservative states like in the South and West.<<

How do you propose to do this when we can't go 1/2 a mile without running into a crowd of them? This 10 million number the media uses for illegals is Bullsh!t. With Bush's open border policy it's more like 20 million.

UNfortunately these people will not be voting Republican or Independent, They are solid Democrats. President Bush has followed the UN's NWO plan from day one in office.

Giving all our faith to Republicans politicians has cost Americans voters too much already.

Our legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, have been following this NWO plan for so long they don't know how to change plans.

"Sustainable development" is in the air the breathe and the water they drink. If Kofi Annan says, "We need ...", they run like crazy to see who can be first in line to give it to the UN.

Not everyone understands what the AWB is but they do know what a National Park is, so let me use the National Parks System as an example of what OUR Republican Congressmen and women have given away to UN control without a word to us! (Remember the people who make the rules for our freedoms inside these Parks are appointed not elected. That's the way the UN works things.)

I have watched and protested as our sustainable development supporting Republican legislators aided the Democrats in giving control of the land in our National Parks, Preserves and Monuments, World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserves as designated by the UN to the United Nations.

This involves 68% of public land in ! Yet we cannot get American citizens to stand up together and say, "STOP!"

(Um just how many Americans do you think are actually willing to fight for OUR 2nd Amendment when they won't even bother about Yellowstone)

Some of the land I'm referring to is:

USA	UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1	Aleutian Islands	1976
2	Big Bend	1976
3	Cascade Head	1976
4	Central Plains	1976
5	Channel Islands	1976
6	Coram	1976
7	Denali	1976
8	Desert	1976
9	Everglades & Dry Tortugas	1976
10	Fraser	1976
11	Glacier	1976
12	H.J. Andrews	1976
13	Hubbard Brook	1976
14	Jornada	1976
15	Luquillo	1976
16	Noatak	1976
17	Olympic	1976
18	Organ Pipe Cactus	1976
19	Rocky Mountain	1976
20	San Dimas	1976
21	San Joaquin	1976
22	Sequoia-Kings Canyon	1976
23	Stanislaus-Tuolumne	1976
24	Three Sisters	1976
25	Virgin Islands	1976
26	Yellowstone	1976
27	Beaver Creek	1976
28	Konza Prairie	1978
29	Niwot Ridge	1979
30	University of Michigan Biological Station	1979
31	Virginia Coast	1979
32	Hawaiian Islands	1980
33	Isle Royale	1980
34	Big Thicket	1981
35	Guanica	1981
36	California Coast Ranges	1983
37	Central Gulf Coast Plain	1983
38	South Atlantic Coastal Plain	1983
39	Mojave and Colorado Deserts	1984
40	Carolinian-South Atlantic	1986
41	Glacier Bay-Admiralty Is.	1986
42	Golden Gate	1988
43	New Jersey Pinelands	1988
44	Southern Appalachian	1988
45	Champlain-Adirondak	1989
46	Mammoth Cave Area	1990	1996 (extended)
47	Land Between The Lakes	1991

These are the most treasured parks in our country! But our elected REPUBLICAN officials didn't have a problem turning control over to the 191 Member States of the United Nations.

Tell me what interests should Iraq, Iran and Sudan have in you visiting our National Parks.

I hope you will admit that all of the gun control issues originate from the UN also. Why any American would think they live under a secure government just because we have a Republican President is way beyond my capabilities to reason.

We enabled a handful of highly respected, mind you, power hungry, conniving bastard legislators to have no difficulty in arranging for a non-recorded vote in our Congress and Senate.

This trick of using non-recorded vote to ratify treaties or pass Bills works so well most Americans have never even heard of it.

Do you really think that YOUR wonderful Republican Senator is going to have a recorded vote when he votes to take YOUR guns away? Keep dreaming how wonderful these Republicans are and we will certainly lose the 2nd Amendment.

The history of people is......

From bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance.
From abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;

and now we are going
from apathy to dependency;

from dependency back again to bondage.

Just the idea of standing up and fighting against our own government for the Rights and Liberties that our forefathers died for is too frightening to be even considered thought by most people who say they are Proud to be an American.

It is time to change President Reagan's quote:

"Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation election away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again."

I used to dream that the law of unintended consequences would result from this corruption of our Constitution. Anymore I'm not to sure. Most of us are getting too old, too feeble for a national uprising and there isn't enough of us who understand what we are losing.

We've all heard that the GOP, GWB and Karl Rove believe that "conservatives have nowhere else to go.

They need to be reminded that Patriots aren't fighters by choice but that we will fight when the only direction to go is slavery under a World government. In todays corrupt political world, I wonder if Tom Revere would even bother to saddle up and warn the people that their enemy is in Washington, D.C., not Boston? My guess is that he would probably say we deserve it because we followed the Party line without questioning about their intentions them beforehand.

[45Auto]

If asked if he supports the 2nd Amendment, Kerry would say, "Sure, I'm all for the arming of the National Guard." That's how the lying leftist scum get around the issue when actually confronted - they are "for" the bogus collective right invention of those miscreants that work for the Brady Boob.

[hattend]

One of the nation's leading gun-control organizations, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, has focused almost exclusively on the soon-to-expire "assault weapons" ban, making little mention of the election itself. But in 2000, the group spent $5 million, most of it targeted at President George W. Bush.

And we all know how well 2000 worked out for the Dims, right?

LOL!!