Make no mistake about it, if Bush vetoes the AWB allowing it to sunset, he will lose in 2004. The campaign to paint him as pro-AK47s in the schoolyards will be too effective.
As I said before, it will be best to make sure the bill never sees his desk. This way Bush doesn't have to betray gun-owners and he can tell all the Soccer Moms out there that he wanted to sign it. Everybody wins (except the anti-gunners).