Harry Tuttle
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 3,093
November 4, 2004
In his successful bid for re-election, President Bush executed a winning strategy of appealing to his base supporters by taking stands on issues that appealed to culturally conservative voters. From abortion to stem cell research to gay marriage, he took positions that had significant support among his base in a successful bid to increase their turnout from 2000.
But what about guns? In stark contrast to his overall strategy, on the gun issue President Bush avoided being identified with the views of NRA partisans and instead made an appeal to the middle of the political spectrum. By the third debate, President Bush was disavowing the NRA's agenda. When host Bob Schieffer asked why Bush had not pushed Congress to renew the Assault Weapons Ban, the President said:
"Actually, I made my intentions - made my views clear. I did think we ought to extend the assault weapons ban . . . I believe in background checks at gun shows or anywhere to make sure that guns don't get in the hands of people that shouldn't have them."
These are two top priorities of the gun control movement and are opposed by the NRA. Why did the President do this? Because he concluded that opposition to sensible gun laws was, on balance, politically damaging. Given the choice of embracing the NRA's agenda, or supporting popular gun control measures, he chose the latter. President Bush and his campaign advisors felt a need to move to the middle on guns. Given the overwhelming popular support of Americans for sensible gun laws, this is not surprising.
President Bush's second term gives him another opportunity to keep his campaign promises by leading the fight to reinstate the assault weapons ban and close the gun show loophole. The American people heard his assurances of support for sensible gun laws and relied on them when voting. Now is the time for President Bush to show the leadership necessary to pass these much-needed public safety measures.
Michael D. Barnes, President
Brady Campaign
http://www.bradycampaign.com/
In his successful bid for re-election, President Bush executed a winning strategy of appealing to his base supporters by taking stands on issues that appealed to culturally conservative voters. From abortion to stem cell research to gay marriage, he took positions that had significant support among his base in a successful bid to increase their turnout from 2000.
But what about guns? In stark contrast to his overall strategy, on the gun issue President Bush avoided being identified with the views of NRA partisans and instead made an appeal to the middle of the political spectrum. By the third debate, President Bush was disavowing the NRA's agenda. When host Bob Schieffer asked why Bush had not pushed Congress to renew the Assault Weapons Ban, the President said:
"Actually, I made my intentions - made my views clear. I did think we ought to extend the assault weapons ban . . . I believe in background checks at gun shows or anywhere to make sure that guns don't get in the hands of people that shouldn't have them."
These are two top priorities of the gun control movement and are opposed by the NRA. Why did the President do this? Because he concluded that opposition to sensible gun laws was, on balance, politically damaging. Given the choice of embracing the NRA's agenda, or supporting popular gun control measures, he chose the latter. President Bush and his campaign advisors felt a need to move to the middle on guns. Given the overwhelming popular support of Americans for sensible gun laws, this is not surprising.
President Bush's second term gives him another opportunity to keep his campaign promises by leading the fight to reinstate the assault weapons ban and close the gun show loophole. The American people heard his assurances of support for sensible gun laws and relied on them when voting. Now is the time for President Bush to show the leadership necessary to pass these much-needed public safety measures.
Michael D. Barnes, President
Brady Campaign
http://www.bradycampaign.com/