[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.

[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.

[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.

[fourdeuce82d]

Brother, as a Texan (not by birth, by choice, dammit!) and an ex army puke, and an owner of an Evil Black Rifle... I'm willing to give him a pass. He is not implementing any new legislation, he is maintaining the status quo.

I don't agree with the ban, but we're holding our own, and gaining ground. CCW laws are sweeping the nation, frivolous lawsuits are being prohibited...slowly slowly catchee monkee.

Let's get another four years, a few more congressional seats, a bunch more judges...and then lower the boom.

[plusone]

Yeah. A Rep president and congress, yet what has changed? Has any of the previous 60 years of FDR inspired Big Gov't legislation been repealed? Any of it? No, just more laws, but hey, they are Conservative laws... Like the Patriot Act and its upcoming sequels. What difference does it make who is passing the laws taking away your freedoms? No matter what face is at the podium, it is the same faceless bureaucrats behind the scenes enforcing the laws.