How Assault Weapons Import Ban Cost Bush 41 Re-Election

"Unintended Consequences" ^ | 1996 | John Ross

[Poohbah]

From where I am (California), the NRA and the pro-lifers are about equally useless. They demand much, and deliver little--if anything--in return.

[Dan from Michigan]

I'd say as many as 7 were swung on the gun vote, and there are around 17 real swing states(Rest at least lean one party or the other). Even if it was 4, that's almost 25% of the swing states.

If I lost 50,000 voters in Ohio or Michigan, and gain 100,000 in California, I'd rather take the Michigan or Ohio voters, since those elections frequently are within 5%.

[AAABEST]

Thanks, you just proved my point.

*high fives*

[Ichneumon]

The solution is to (a) ensure that any effort to extend the ban does not become legislation,

Agreed.

and (b) ensure that the politicians can RELY (a key word, as I will discuss below) on a strong NRA turnout.

In order to "RELY" on a strong NRA turnout, a politician has to earn one. (See below).

Because I was working as a campaign volunteer and election-day driver in 1996.

The choices in 1996 were the anti-gun but mostly neutered Clinton (who had admitted having learned his lesson in 1994 and wasn't about to go near the third-rail gun issue again any time soon), and Bob "not a big fan of guns either" Dole.

No wonder the NRA crowd wasn't enthused.

Personally, I voted Libertarian in 1996 (the only time I've ever done so).

And before anyone screeches about my having re-elected Clinton, let me point out that I only did so after being certain that Dole was going to safely win my state anyway. So my "protest vote" message wasn't going to change the outcome, but was going to send exactly the signal I wanted it to (and which you apparently noticed yourself) -- if a candidate (even a Republican candidate) is wishy-washy on the gun issue, then (surprise surprise) the NRA bloc is going to be wishy-washy in their support of that candidate.

[therut]

As a female gun owner there is not one issue more important to me on the domestic side than to let this damn stupid law die. This law being laid to rest would be like a dam breaking and bringing fourth fresh water of freedom it would change the whole coarse in the 2nd amendment debate. If it stands it is just a skeleton to add more and more restrictions on in the future. I already own many pre-ban firearms but I want the next generations to have the same freedom I have had.

[El Gato]

Of course, Clinton's economy rhetoric and Perot's vote-sapping had NOTHING to do with Bush 41 leaving office... nothing at all...

Sure they did, but it wouldn't have mattered much if Bush Sr. made the speech above.

[Petruchio]

We need to come up with a way to defuse these one issue Republicans.

This "One Issue" is the glue that holds the Constitution together. My vote is strictly based on 2nd Amendment track record of the candidate. If they don't defend the 2nd, I can't trust them to defend the rest of it.

[Ichneumon]

From where I am (California), the NRA and the pro-lifers are about equally useless. They demand much, and deliver little--if anything--in return.

"California"?

And just how often do California politicians give the NRA anything of worth? And I'm not talking about "we removed one provision from a draconian anti-gun bill we ended up voting for".

And let's face it -- California is pretty much a lost cause for the NRA and pro-life folks. If they've lost hope, who could blame them?

[Kadric]

Think of the timing of the renewal and the fact that the progun lobbies will be silenced without issue adds. I believe that one of the aims of CFR was this very item. Remember issue adds are restricted within 60 days of the election. While the media is free to report as they wish.

[Paul C. Jesup]

I don't say that. I said is how Bush Jr. might use this to his advantage.

[El Gato]

Hang on a moment, if it's just an import ban on assault weapons...who wanted to buy a gun from abroad anyway? America makes the best guns as it is

The Bush I ban was just and import ban, but the law under discussion, whihc was passed under the Impeached One, is a ban on all weapons that fit it's rather arbitrary criteria, plus a bunch of named weapons.

[cksharks]

Then you would have no right to open your mouth if one of the Dems that would force complete gun control on your ass gets in.

[joesnuffy]

If you get a look at the new "Medical Privacy Law" that went into effect four days ago
You will see the draconian stamp of what is to come...

The Veterans Admin just sent me my copy... I no longer have any privacy ..my medical records are open to almost everyone with any agenda...I can complain after the fact and a VA board decides whether or not I am to have privacy...If the board decides that MY Privacy is "not in my best interests" then I dont get any...its that simple

Imagine poor Jessica Lynch...since she and the other POWs will ultimately recieve psychiatric counseling...the VA will provide ANY LAW ENFORCMENT AGENCY WHO REQUESTS IT...her VA medical records...

If the Republicans or Demonrats decide to pass any law state or federal stating that any one who has every been diagnosed with any kind of psychiatric condition cannot own a firearm for self or family protection...Local law enforcement can determine who can and who cannot possess a firearm and move to confiscate it...a house a car or arrest for lying on a application or pretty much anything they want...

This is a law Bush and the dems knew full well is about as Anti American as one can get...
That assault law doesnt sunset and I will never vote for a republican who votes against letting it sunset again...

This is what I fought for?.....what a bunch of crap...all lies..

[Dan from Michigan]

From where I am (California), the NRA and the pro-lifers are about equally useless. They demand much, and deliver little--if anything--in return.

I consider California one of the 6 most heavily anti-gun states in the US, right there with Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts. There's a reason it got that way.

Here, we took away Granholm's coattails completely here. We had a "weak" unknown candidate (Posthumus) who was supposed to lose to the ultracharasmatic Granholm by 15%, largely because of John Engler who had a rough 3rd term(but overall he was a good governor). Posthumus was pro-gun(more than Engler and Bush) and pro-life. and Posthumus outperformed Bush and took the race to within 4% with little federal help. If we had one more week, we would have done it. Granholm went from being bigtime anti in 2000/2001 to "taking" pro-gun in 2002, and even picking a pro-gun Lt governor to try and shore up her union base. Posthumus still overperformed among union members and took the "Reagan Democrats" vote, largely with his farming and outdoors background.

My county, heavily pro-gun, pro-life, and Republican, had a 57% turnout(5% higher than expected). While that's not good enough for my tastes, it did effect the rest of the ticket. We scored an upset win in the AG race for the first time in 48 years, and took the Secretary of State seat for the 3rd straight time. Gun owners were a major factor in both of those seats.

The GOP kept the state senate and gained in the house. We took two new congressional seats. Gun owners were a factor in both of those races.

Now, I don't know what will happen with Bush. McCellan's comments hurt him some. If he doesn't sign it, it probably won't hurt him much. If it's tied into another bill, it depends what we gain. If it's the same bill as the old ban or worse, then he'll probably lose Michigan, since the 'middle' here outside Oakland or Ingham County is pro-gun and pro-union.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...It`s easy to see that your "one issue" isn`t loyality...

We don't owe these clowns anything. It is us, the citizens, that they need, to go into the booth and make a mark next to their name.

For us to do that, they have to earn it.

Going against the Constitution is not the way to earn my vote.

[Bob J]

Ya! And Bush isn't supporting the rights of the unborn..HE HAS TO GO NOW!

[cksharks]

Dont let the door hit you in the ass when you pull that lever.

[TLBSHOW]

I just found this story from 2000 issues

Texas Gov. George W. Bush would, if elected president:

Support the current ban on assault weapons.

http://www.issues2000.org/Celeb/George_W__Bush_Gun_Control.htm

[eskimo]

We need to come up with a way to defuse these one issue Republicans. They say if you don't agree with my one issue, we will keep democrats in power to punish any- one who doesn't agree one hundred percent with my one issue!

Well, if you are not for the Constitution, you are against it.

[Bob J]

And what about that Campaign Finance Reform law and, and, Homeland Security! DAMMIT WE NEED AL GORE!