Posted on 08/30/2008 12:47:25 PM PDT by neverdem
Lawmakers Discuss Tapping Into The Traditionally Conservative Issue
Stepping gingerly back into the thicket of gun politics, some Democrats are offering up a few proposals to make them less on the defensive on an issue that many claim cost former Vice President Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the presidency.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., and Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., spoke at a National Wildlife Federation briefing Wednesday afternoon, pushing efforts to expand conservation areas for hunting and fishing grounds as well as better protection of the environment for sportsmen.
"Sportsmen have been stereotyped as concerned with one issue: guns. But if you listen to sportsmen as I have over the years ... we hear a different story," said Larry Schweiger, president of the National Wildlife Federation.
The goal is to allow Democrats to play at least a little on the offense on an issue that party leaders will not bring up because of fear of major political repercussions to its members by the powerful National Rifle Association. Top Democrats are still reeling from NRA-led defeats in 1994 of their members who voted for the Brady Bill and legislation to ban some assault weapons. Others say the issue likely cost Gore a win in West Virginia in 2000 that would have put him in the White House.
Dingell said hunting and fishing areas need better environmental protection, specifically citing that enforcement of the Clean Water Act needs to be beefed up to protect those lands. "These have not been a good eight years," said Dingell, a stalwart NRA member. Lincoln cited the increasing loss of public hunting areas that threaten the opportunities for families to go shooting or fishing, like hers will do in a few weeks at a dove hunt in Maryland.
"Democrats are all about conservation. They are all about preservation. I think that's a huge opportunity," Lincoln said.
But the NRA is likely to pump a significant amount of its $40 million political spending this election season in an effort to defeat the Democrats' presidential standard-bearer, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, whom the organization has said fails to support their agenda.
The 3-million member group will wait until after both conventions to give an endorsement, which will likely go to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., despite his sponsoring of some legislation that the NRA has adamantly opposed, including requiring background checks at guns shows and a bill to tighten campaign finance laws.
"With Sen. Obama you have a lifetime record of supporting gun control, voting for gun control, speaking out against gun rights and voting against gun rights either as an elected official or a private citizen," said Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA spokesman.
But Dingell said that it is undetermined how much the NRA will actually spend and what races will be targeted. "I will point out to you that if you look at Mr. McCain's record on firearms, it ain't so good," said Dingell, who added that he would offer up some advice for Obama on the issue if asked.
“Democrats Go After Gun Politics - Lawmakers Discuss Tapping Into The Traditionally Conservative...”
Dems AGAIN win the STUCK ON STUPID and IDIOT ALERT awards.
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http://www.truthusa.com/2ndAmendment.html
Why are democrats RUNNING away from the messiah’s position?
what do the internal polls show.
why are democrats so scared they are publicly abandoning “the Obama”
If the MSM was “fair” this would be headlined as “Democrats abandon Obama”
Gotta be careful with the facts here. That’s a plastic training device which looks like a “genuine, (military-issue, full-auto) “assault rifle””. But the important thing is she knows how to use one instead of the demlosers who drag out the borrowed 10,000 dollar skeet gun for the ten minute photo op.
I think a call to the NRA is in order. Someone's[meaning dingaling] membership is no longer needed.
Dems have failed to fool Evangelicals and they will fail to fool hunters, 2nd Amerndment protectors who want safe family areas, schools, and businesses without having to cave into the thugs who probably vote Dem anyhow! LOL
BTW, do you know where the vid of her actually letting off a 3-"round" burst can be found?
***The goal is to allow Democrats to play at least a little on the offense on an issue that party leaders will not bring up because of fear of major political repercussions to its members by the powerful National Rifle Association.***
No Democrats, you can’t have the football.
Is that a picture of you holding what looks to me like a .44 Magnum?
Nope, it’s my roomie Amy - I took the picture ....
Has Hussein sent for his lifetime NRA card yet?
What a joke and what gunowner would trust a RAT politician on gun rights?
I wonder when this was written?
Gov.Palin is the Ace Of Trumps now on this issue. The Dems are gonna have to kiss it completely good bye.
That’s a lovely SuperRedhawk 44 you got there.
It’s my roomie’s .... I own a 1911A1 .45 auto by Springfield arms ... a new one I bought at a gun show .....
My God, I just realized something else.
Can you imagine what changes this woman will make to the Department of the Interior and BLM when she becomes President after McCain??? She's going to gut them.
Love my SR 454. It's a 400 grain peashooter ... handcannons and plinkers are the best.
Cool
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