So lets examine the trade offs. There are 85 million guns owners in the U.S. Most are middle class and male. Only 6 million of these belong to the NRA and are politically tuned in. That leaves another 79 million that are not so politically tuned in. Of that 79 million over half are swing and democrat voters. They will not remember that Feinswine and Schumer Scum reintroduced the assault weapons bill. They will remember that Dubya stabbed them in the back. They will perceive that there is little or no difference between canidates and many of them being Union or Reagan democrats will vote their other interests.
Dubya and his adminstration has to make deals. If he does not the democraps will filibuster tax cuts, national security, and other important issues. The 79 million mostly does not care or know how Washington works. They will swing left.
The NRA is a given quantity and is over 80% Republican. The 79 million is up for grabs. The end result is that weak Republicans will fall in Midwest,Southern, and some Western States even if Dubya is reelected. It will weaken his hand and reduce the presidents effectiveness even if he is elected to a second term.
One thing Republicans have never been very skillful at is playing politics, and being the majority party is a new experience. The assualt weapons bill brought down Bill Clinton and swept the Republicans into office for the first time in 60 years.
One would hope that the RNC and Duyba adminstration is not as short sighted as to forget what bought them to Washington in the first place.