[Dan from Michigan]

Bush is going to lose these same 13 voters who show up on every gun related thread to profess they're leaving the party.

13 voters? Try 4-5 million in the NRA, 500,000 in SAF, the members of GOA, and all the non members who vote their guns.

Two words. West Virginia. Two more. New Hampshire. Throw in the Democrat cross voters(on guns) in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Tennesee, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado.

According to Alan Gottlieb of SAF, gun issues swing an election 5% - Either way. This is almost as big of issue as taxes.

[dogbyte12]

One thing not in your equation. The dems are likely to run a candidate who favors trigger locks, gun limits, longer waiting periods, etc... etc...

They will also be pro abortion, pro affirmative action, pro leaving Alaska to the Caribou. It's not cut and dry.

[wardaddy]

It is arguably the biggest social issue....maybe eased out by infanticide by a nose.

BUT....any gunowner who votes Dem or stays home is only making matters worse than they already are.

Sad to say but true.

I see no alternative but to stay the course and work on W and Rove...and our congressmen.

I wish W would take a stand and not play politics but he's not apparently. Maybe he really believes that it will never reach his desk as is or not at all. He is a decent man but he can miscalculate, he is not perfect. Listening to Powell on the UN recently was a mistake in my humble estimation. Some here will say he wished to give them enough rope to hang themselves. Maybe but I'm loathe to declare any CIC a perpetual Rainmaker.
I heard recently where either Ashcroft or some other high ranking Pubbie was not in favor of extending the ban.

I will look for it for what it's worth.

[wardaddy]

More muddy waters:

Ashcroft Acquiring Bigger Policy Role for Justice Dept. New York Times - Mar 14, 2003 ... Gun control groups have also attacked Mr. Ashcroft for seeking to ... last week by refusing to support a reauthorization of the ban on assault weapons ...

[KingKongCobra]

Bush is going to lose these same 13 voters who show up on every gun related thread to profess they're leaving the party. 13 voters? Try 4-5 million in the NRA, 500,000 in SAF, the members of GOA, and all the non members who vote their guns. No Dan. I am the NRA and the GOA. Most of my friends are also. We'll be voting for George because we're pragmatic. Your 4-5 million number includes me and my friends. My 13 number includes you baker's dozen of absolutists. (at least 8 of whom didn't vote for Bush the first time anyway). Peace