Bush in Tight Spot With N.R.A. Over Gun Legislation

The New York Times ^ | 05/08/03 | ERIC LICHTBLAU

[Texas Eagle]

The NRA is about to find out what it feels like to be at the receiving end of Compassionate Conservatism. Get out the vaseline.

[ysoitanly]

Better show their colors now - to me, this is the MOST IMPORTANT judge of character in a president. The 2nd amendment is absolutely the one that has no 'ifs', 'ands' or 'buts' about it - this is critical. The nation is watching. Of course, what is always left out, is the absolute, undeniable right, when these gun 'proposals' come up, is that those who propose them 100% understand why the Constitution guarantees the 2nd - to protect ourselves against a tyrannical government.

[Mulder]

Why does Bush support this ban?

Does he not believe in individual Rights?

Or is he making a decision based solely on 'political' calculations, without regard to the Constitution?

[kcar]

Screw Bush if this is the case. Screw those who think it's about keeping THEIR power, or posturing just so only so they can temporarily check the REAL enemy here (wink-wink), when it's really only about OUR freedoms, which is not on the table to be negotiated or compromised. Screw em all, all the Republicans who have talked the talk, but woobly walked.

Abstain in 04 if Bush is a whore.

[what's up]

Being on the right side of the gun issue is what got Bush elected Gov. of Texas.

I'd hate for him to get weak on it now.

[newgeezer]

Campaign Finance Reform, anyone?

[IronJack]

I think the analyst hit it on the head: Bush has sufficient political capital that he can expend some of it cozening up to the gun grabbers. Plays well with that "kinder, gentler" crowd.

It also shows that Bush is a "conservative" of dubious credentials. Anyone expecting a conservative messiah from this administration faces a long walk down Disappointment Road.

[marktwain]

"There are a lot of gun owners who worked hard to put President Bush in office, and there are a lot of gun owners who feel betrayed by him," said Angel Shamaya, an Arizona gun owner who runs a Web site called "keepandbeararms.com."

Way to go Angel. Keepandbeararms.com is a great site. I recommend it to everyone. We must keep their feet to the fire on this one. If we can stop the renewal of the Ugly Weapon Ban, we will have, for the first time in 70 years, have rolled back some of the unconstitutional infringments that have been enacted over that period. The anti-freedom people will be livid. They have always felt that they woud win with incrementalism, if only they never, ever, ever allow a move toward greater freedom. We have made progress in the States, but this would be a great first at the Federal level, and would indicate a turning of the tide, in my opinion.

We have several things in our favor:

The War on Terror

The Constitution

The Facts

Election coming soon

Republican House

Republican Senate

And, Most Importantly,

An increasingly free New Media to compete with the OldDominantLiberalMedia

You can count President Bush as an advantage if you like, because I don't believe the administration will actively push for the bill, and will actually push to have it killed in the Congress so he does not have to deal with it.

[newgeezer]

Bush in Tight Spot With N.R.A. Over Gun Legislation

We at The New York Times Overcome with Glee

[Parley Baer]

From reading the above posts it sounds like the liberal NY Times has done the job it set out to do. Divide and Conquer.

[dead]

Or is he making a decision based solely on 'political' calculations, without regard to the Constitution?

Yes he is. This support springs not from some core belief, but from the fact that Bush and his advisors think that fighting this law will cost him votes from the brain-dead middle.

I'm sure Rove has stated basically, "You won the war in Iraq, you fight for lower taxes (not very successfully), and you wear a cowboy hat. The right wing will be pissed at you, but they'll still vote for you anyway. Where else are they gonna go?"

And, unfortunately, Rove's right. Where else are we gonna go?

[Texas Eagle]

Well, that is what I expect from the NYT. What should we expect from President Bush on this issue?

[Mulder]

And, unfortunately, Rove's right. Where else are we gonna go?

Look at 1992 or 1996 for the answer to that.

Some will vote for a third party for President, or not vote for that office.

Others will stay home.

A few will vote for the RAT candidate, figuring they'd rather have a real democrat than a pretend one.

[dead]

So you've knowingly judged the other posters, now why don't you try being brave and stating your view?

Is Bush doing this out of some core belief? Or is he doing it out of cold political calculation?

[The Old Hoosier]

Bush is supporting the ban because it will never reach his desk. That said, it's damned stupid of him to run away from a good issue like this one.

[MJY1288]

It will take a Congressional act to keep the ban alive and it will never happen. This ban will sunset and President Bush is just playing politics. This is a touchy third rail issue that could be used against him with the soccer mom's. I'm sure Karl Rove is telling him to hint that he might sign it if it reaches his desk and make no effort to support it.

I will bet that it will never reach his desk. If it does... He better veto it or lose a large block of support

[Mulder]

From reading the above posts it sounds like the liberal NY Times has done the job it set out to do. Divide and Conquer

The NY Times isn't the problem here. They have never been less relevant in American politics than they are today. They will continue to lose relevancy with each passing day.

This is because of talk radio, cable TV, and the internet. More and more Americans are getting their news from 'alternative sources'.

[Mr. Mojo]

Bush has sufficient political capital that he can expend some of it cozening up to the gun grabbers. Plays well with that "kinder, gentler" crowd.

That political capital can vanish real quick. Just ask his dad. I personally don't think this renewal will ever see the top of Bush's desk. But if it does, and he signs it, I predict he'll lose in '04.

[Brian S]

To hell with the White House and Senate! We can stop this SOB in the House. Work your Rep's now!