[Atlas Sneezed]

Bang

[WoofDog123]

"GOOD! First, his anger told me that he knew that the hypocritical strategy was dangerous. More importantly, it tells me he'll remember the exchange. "

Do these folks do revenge tax audits like their predecessors?

[WorkingClassFilth]

Cool. Maybe somebody will need to rethink their strategery.

[eddie willers]

So who do you prefer...Dean or Kerry?

[LarryM]

This points up Bush's political cowardice, which we have seen many times. It started with Ted Kennedy's education bill, then with his failure to veto CFR, and now he teams up with Schumer against his own base. Nobody should wonder why the public despises politicians.

[cynicom]

But wait, if we do not vote for Bush those bad old democrats will be in power. What the hell is the difference, not a dimes worth.

[cynicom]

Watch the pub whiners come on here, wring their hands, and pull that old nonsense about the lesser of two evils. I do not know why the pubs come here.

[green team 1999]

there is not enough votes in congress or the senate to pass it right now. and i think the white house is up to something

[thegreatbeast]

It would be nice to see the Brady Bunch take ONE step back after all this time. And such cynical games such as that laid out by Rove is more 41 than 43 I hope.

[TexanToTheCore]

My suspicion is that this bill will never get reported out of committee. It would be a good strategy and one that has been used many times in the past.

[liberty or death]

Amen brother.

[montag813]

I told him that there were a lot of us, that we were dead serious, and that if Bush let the ban get renewed he'd lose the election

Speak for yourself, pal. If the ballot says Bush (R) and Kerry (D), you can be damn sure I vote check the box for Bush. Unlike you (apparently), I remember the damage that 8 years of Clinton did to this nation. The Assault weapons ban cannot match up against the innumberable other freedoms which will be sacficied if the Democrats gain power again.

[Nephi]

His follow-up was that Bush had publicly campaigned on his position of "enforcing existing gun laws," and his position hasn't changed; he was just being consistent. Rove then closed the session and walked off the stage.

That'll go over well with the NASCAR crowd.

[Newbomb Turk]

I'm a gun ownner too but who ya gonna vote for Hillery ?

No way in hell do I want to go back to a Democrat president over just this one issue important as it is.

We already know the Dems are anti gun.

[Ichneumon]

His follow-up was that Bush had publicly campaigned on his position of "enforcing existing gun laws," and his position hasn't changed; he was just being consistent.

HORSE MANURE

The 2004 expiration of the 1994 "assault weapon ban" is part of the "existing gun laws".

No one's faulting Bush for enforcing the present ten-year ban, they're faulting him for saying that he would enact a *NEW* ban (presumably a permanent one) when the old one expires.

Rove is either an idiot, or a bad bald-faced liar, and neither option inspires confidence.

[Vision Thing]

GOOD! First, his anger told me that he knew that the hypocritical strategy was dangerous. More importantly, it tells me he'll remember the exchange.

Based on the utter failure of all political operatives who've gone toe-to-toe against Rove, Sam Cohen will probably regret it if Rove remembers their exchange.

Cohen comes up far short of Rove's political savvy, talent, and genius. Whereas Cohen has one narrow pet issue that matters the most to him, Rove knows of all issues that matter the most to the success of his clients.

The smart money is on Rove in this battle. Cohen has no chance.

[wattsup]

Please sit back and wait. Bush and his cabinet know what they are doing. Pick the battles that can be won. This will die this term but will be a hot item in his next term. This is not the time to devide the party.

[Mr. Mojo]

I hate to say it, but Rove is correct here. First of all, he's right that the renewal bill will never make it out of the House. (Which, in effect, makes all of this a moot point). Secondly, he's right about the fact that we gun owners voted for Bush despite the fact that he was explicit about enfocing all existing gun laws during the campaign. The '94 so-called AWB is one of those laws.

Bottom line: When this law sunsets in 9/04, we're all going to be a happy lot. And it's going to happen.

[snooker]

Good shot. We need more. Maybe crashing the white house email system with overload is having some effect. I hate being taken for granted.

[Once-Ler]

Here is what one liberal said about Dubya...
http://pearlyabraham.tripod.com/htmls/myth-bush.html

Bush sides with the NRA and against law enforcement on every major gun safety measure including closing the gun show loophole, concealed weapons, and mandatory child safety locks.

Concealed Weapons : Bush Signed NRA-backed Concealed Gun Bill. In 1995, Bush signed an NRA-backed bill to allow private citizens to carry concealed handguns in Texas, ending a 125-year ban on concealed weapons. [ Dallas Morning News, 5/27/95; Oil and Gas Journal, 6/19/95 ]

Bush Signed Bill Allowing Guns In Churches : In 1997, Bush signed a bill that allowed Texans to bring their guns into churches and synagogues unless a sign specifically barred them from doing so. [ Texas HB2909, 75th Legislature, www.capitol.state.tx.us; Legislative History, Texas HB2909, 75th Legislature, www.capitol.state.tx.us ]

Gun Shows : Bush Bowed to NRA, Failed to Lead on Background Checks Legislation . Bush claimed to support background check requirements for unlicenced dealers at gun shows, but declined to assist the passage of a state bill on that very issue. Bush claimed the federal government should solve the gun show problem, but only endorsed an NRA-supported, loophole-filled amendment. [ Houston Chronicle, 4/27/99; Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5/22/99 ]

Texas Leads the Nation in Number of Guns Shows. Under Bush, Texas offered convicted felons more opportunities to purchase guns than any other state in the country through a loophole that allows people to purchase guns at gun shows with no background check. Texas led the country with 472 gun shows in 1998 -- 222 more shows than the state in second place. [ San Antonio Express-News, 3/18/99, 4/14/99; South Bend Tribune, 2/18/99 ]

Child Safety : Bush Opposes Mandatory Child Safety Locks. Bush opposes mandatory gun safety locks -- instead he thinks the locks should still be voluntary. [ Christian Science Monitor, 5/13/99 ]

Texas Received "D" in Protecting Kids from Guns. Texas received a "D" -- the sixth worst grade in the nation -- from Handgun Control, Inc. for failing to pass laws to protect kids from guns. The national gun-control group cited Texas?failure to prohibit juveniles from owning handguns, as well as the state’s prohibition of municipal laws that are stricter than state law. [ Houston Chronicle, 9/15/98 ]

Special Rights for Gun Makers : Bush Signed NRA-Backed Bill Giving Gun Manufacturers Special Rights. In 1999, Bush signed legislation -- called the "gun lobby’s top priority" -- that gives gun makers special protection from being held liable for the design and marketing of their products. [ New York Times, 6/20/99; Associated Press, 5/19/99; Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5/18/99 ]

For some people the fact that Dubya has shown support for a bill that, even Karl Rove says, has no chance of passing is cause for sleepless nights. I sleep very well thank you.