Posted on 02/04/2008 12:21:45 PM PST by Daffynition
Perhaps no other issue causes politicians to shift to the right as they enter the national arena more so than guns…
And perhaps no other issue so explicitly causes politicians attempting such a leap to shoot themselves in the foot.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was asked about the assault weapons ban on Meet the Press on December 16, 2007.
"I would have supported the original assault weapon ban," Romney said. "I signed an assault weapon ban in Massachusetts governor because it provided for a relaxation of licensing requirements for gun owners in Massachusetts, which was a big plus."
Asked Tim Russert: "So the assault ban that expired here because Congress didn’t act on it, you would support?"
"Just as the president said, he would have, he would have signed that bill if it came to his desk, and so would have I," said Romney.
In the last few hours, Romney contradicted that in a podcast interview with Glenn Reynolds and Helen Smith of Instapundit fame.
"I know that a lot of the gun rights folks aren’t sure about your position on gun rights," asked Smith. "Would you pledge to veto any new gun control bills that come across your desk as President?"
"Yeah," Romney said. "Yeah, I don’t support any gun control legislation, the effort for a new assault weapons ban, with a ban on semi-automatic weapons, is something I would oppose. There’s no new legislation that I’m aware of or have heard of that I would support. In regards to guns, I think we have enough legislation and should enforce the laws as they exist. I was pleased that when I ran for Governor that I received the endorsement of the NRA and I hope to receive their support now."
In addition to that apparent flip flop, it should be noted that the NRA did NOT endorse Romney when he ran for governor, as his campaign acknowledged when he said it last December.
This is a rank untruth Mr. Romney continues to peddle.
Said Mr. Reynolds: "I'm beginning to question his sincerity."
On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, campaigning in Idaho over the weekend said "there are people who say, `Well, he doesn't believe in the Second Amendment,' even though I come from a state — we've got a lot of hunters in downstate Illinois. And I have no intention of taking away folks' guns."
In 1996, however, Obama said in a questionnaire that he "supported banning the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns" -- a fairly extreme position.
"Well he has to speak to his own record, which has obviously changed over a relatively short period of time," shot Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY.
HOWEVER, it should be pointed out that this appears to be yet another example of Obama not being able to get good help.
You guessed it -- his campaign says this questionnaire was filled out incorrectly by a staffer. (Read more on that HERE.)
We've been following Mr. Obama's "The Buck Stops Over There" blame-his-staff trend since last June and, more recently, in December.
Bang bang.
I’m thinking of counting all the hit pieces that have been posted today. Would probably take a lot more time than I have so perhaps I’ll pass.
AWB flip.
This is B.S. While I disagree with Romney on the AWB issue, the fact is that he said he would have signed the renewal, as Bush said all the way back in 2000, but would oppose a new AWB. Two different things.
I voted for Bush twice in spite of his AWB position. So it isn’t suddenly a non-starter for Romney to have the same flawed position.
At least he doesn’t want to give amnesty to 20-30 million illegal aliens.
It's not that he's better, just that he's less bad.
Yeah, and Monica's ex-boyfriend's wife and McStain are SOOOOOOO much better. Puhleeze.
Face it, we gun owners are more or less screwed this election cycle. Of course, between the two, I'll take "less" every time. Romney at least is now on record as stating "Yeah, I don’t support any gun control legislation, the effort for a new assault weapons ban, with a ban on semi-automatic weapons, is something I would oppose. There’s no new legislation that I’m aware of or have heard of that I would support. In regards to guns, I think we have enough legislation and should enforce the laws as they exist." Coming from him, that's not much - but it is something. At least he'll face re-election in 4 years, should he get in, and so we should be safe for that long. Oh, and we should all continue to buy lots of guns & ammo in the meantime.
Of course, I'm hoping that the Supremes rule correctly in Heller, that the 2nd is an individual right, and that any restrictions on it must be analyzed under the Strict Scrutiny standard. Then it pretty much won't matter what these 4 Bozos think or do (apologies to Mr. Bozo, of course).
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1964714/posts?q=1&;page=1#1
Doesn't mean spit.
Not that banning handguns outright isn't extreme enough.
Too bad he's so far out in other areas.
I don't like the GWB/Romney position on the AWB either, but there's not much practical difference from McCain on the 2nd amendment.
For those who say there's no difference from Obama, in the past he's voted for a complete ban on sale and transfer of all semi-autos, as well as enhanced restrictions on firearm ownership. In a state, Illinois, that already has amongst the most restrictive laws in the nation.
Think fees, big ones.
Of course if the Giuliani/Clinton/Obama/Paul lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers were allowed, within a decade or so there'd probably be nowhere to purchase firearms anyway.
Like those "other areas", he talks the talk. When it come to voting on something like banning Giuliani style lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers, which would drive the non-military/lawenforcement industry offshore and likely make retailers few and far between, he votes no, don't ban those lawsuits, just like Obama.
Does he? I don't believe it. Convince me.
If Obama wants to ban handguns, I think it's better to bring this issue to the people while they still have their battle rifles and carbines before they're faux-banned (grandfathered) by a Romney or McCain.
With a Republican minority, it can function as the noble opposition against a Dem president/Congress with more ambition gun-control aspirations. However, with a moderate/liberal Repub president, the Repubs in Congress will not oppose any McCain/Romney gun-control legislation.
"I was pleased that as I ran for governor, I received the support of the NRA and I hope to receive their support now." - Source AmSpec Blog
OR
"I was pleased that when I ran for Governor that I received the endorsement of the NRA and I hope to receive their support now." - Source ABC Blogs
Actual Audio says SUPPORT not ENDORSEMENT.
ABC misquoted. Romney never said endorsed.
Someone needs to post the picture of Al Gore and his gun.
Ping!! You need to see this.
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