If the AWB ban isn't renewed, Bush will get blamed anyway. So why doesn't he simply oppose it and state his reasons for doing so? It's an incredibly stupid law and he could articulate it as such in about 30 seconds.
That said, it's damned stupid of him to run away from a good issue like this one.
I don't know of ANYONE who will vote for Bush based on his support of this. I know lots of folks who will vote against him based on this issue.
Also, if the big issue in 2004 is 'guns', the conservative candidates will win big time. Hell, even the demoncrats are starting to realize this. Lieberman made a statement during the last "debate" (for lack of a more accurate term) that was very pro-gun Rights, demoncratic governors have run on pro-gun platforms, and traditionally demoncratic states have enacted CCW laws.
The gun issue is a winning one for conservatives.
Yes, absolutely. Bush should not be running away from it--that's what I meant.