Democrats....Bush Key on Assault Weapons

Associated Press - Las Vegas Sun.com ^ | May 14, 2003 | Jim Abrams

[Godebert]

By JIM ABRAMS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) -

President Bush should take the lead in overcoming resistance within his own party to extending an assault weapons ban due to expire next year, Democrats said Wednesday.

"If the bill dies we will lay it at the president's doorstep," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said a day after House Majority Leader Tom DeLay told reporters that the 1994 law banning the manufacture of 19 types of common military-style assault weapons would not be renewed.

Schumer said the gun bill would be an issue in the 2004 election, a development that could pose problems for Democrats who represent districts with strong gun rights sentiment. The assault ban vote was also a campaign topic in 1994, the year Republicans recaptured the House after spending 40 years in the minority.

Bush, taking a position at odds with the National Rifle Association, has voiced support for extending the ban, and White House spokesman Ari Fleischer on Wednesday said that support would carry weight in Congress.

"This is a matter that the House has to work out, of course, by listening to the will of its members, but the president's position is clear on it," Fleischer said. "When the president states his position like that, it helps get the message to the Congress."

Fleischer would not say whether Bush would pressure DeLay to bring such a bill up for a vote. DeLay, R-Texas, on Tuesday indicated that there would be no effort to renew the current law before it expires on Sept. 13, 2004. "The votes in the House are not there to reauthorize it," he said.

"The real question is will the president weigh in and ask the leaders to schedule a vote," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who as a senior adviser to President Clinton played a key role in guiding the 1994 legislation through Congress.

[Sir Gawain]

Baghdad Bob, is that you?

[Fred Mertz]

You're not falling for the howling pity excuse, are you?

She's quite the manipulator. You, of all people, should watch and learn.

[Howlin]

You'll have to ask Fred. He knows why I was marked inactive on the voting rolls.

And he keeps bringing it up.

And I sure as hell don't want people on here thinking I let my voter registration lapse on purpose. I've voted every year since -- well, I won't say......LOL.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Fast food traitor!

[nunya bidness]

I should have made the subject line to all. You're right.

[Sir Gawain]

Now Baghdad Bob is claiming it was pure luck, all those fat jokes, and Bob's never even met TLB! LOL. Anybody can click on a homepage, Bob.

[Fred Mertz]

That's a good question.

[deport]

Ah.... but come May 1, 2004 You'll be behind him 100%.... making sure he is re-elected. You said so....

Will you have a pizza and Fox News?

[TLBSHOW]

It's true you and Fred have met. Is he really a nice person as he said you are? All bs aside!

[ApesForEvolution]

Well said and worth a BTTT.

[Howlin]

Todd, you and I are NOT friends in any way, shape, or form.

I do NOT like you at all.

And I'll be damned if I'll discuss Fred with you.

[nunya bidness]

Bringing up someone's loss to make points in an online debate is reprehensible.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Gosh, that was so clever it almost made me forget that you dissed your own friend by assuming the picture was too close to reality.

Give it up, dude. You blew it and you can't delete here.

But since you brought it up, did you know your friend has an alias known by many freepers? He's also known as Tagbad Todd.

[Dan from Michigan]

Fred's seems like a good guy from when I met him.

[justshe]

STANDING OVATION, nunya!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fred Mertz]

I'll tell you here and now, you are a self-pitying person. I think your meds won't help, I seriously think you need professional counseling. I wish you the best.

[TLBSHOW]

Tell me how you really feel...LOL

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Now Baghdad Bob is claiming it was pure luck, all those fat jokes, and Bob's never even met TLB! LOL. Anybody can click on a homepage, Bob.

Good grief, idiot. Do you love to pour salt in the wound or what? Are you so stupid that you don't even realize how unkind this is to your friend?

[TLBSHOW]

Fred's seems like a good guy from when I met him

Thanks I gathered that already. Its howlin I am worried about?

[Mo1]

I have seen Fred bring up this 'registration' issue multiple times....and I have seen Howlin explain it multiple times.....

So have I and it's totally uncalled for