RINOS in their midst
Republicans split over the assault weapons ban:
If there’s one issue on which Republicans usually agree, it’s their strong defense of the Second Amendment. But less than two weeks before the GOP convention, moderates and conservatives find themselves at odds over the soon-to-expire semi-automatic gun ban.
In a clash with pro-gun Republicans, President Bush has publicly supported the ban on so-called “assault weapons” dating back to his 2000 presidential campaign. Although he hasn’t actively pushed for an extension of the 1994 law, his spokesmen consistently reaffirm his support for it.
The law would sunset Sept. 13 without action from Congress. Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have refused to bring up the matter for debate, and with only four working days left before it expires, even the law’s supporters acknowledge it is doomed.
At the same time, however, a band of moderate Republicans have stood in stark opposition to their more conservative colleagues in House leadership posts. They believe enough Republicans would join with Democrats to send a bill to the president’s desk.
In my opinion, the votes are there in the Senate. They are not likely in the House. However, I don’t think Bush will push for it during an election year. He wants the NRA to sign off on him.
That aside, why are so many Republicans backing the ban? The ban is purely symbolic and accomplishes nothing and surely these Republicans know that. My speculation is that it’s a regional thing. In rural areas, the ban is not popular. It probably is popular in urban areas.
August 19th, 2004 at 11:18 am
Add a “sub-” to your urban areas and I think you’re right on. The AWB is supported by soccer-mommies who want the nanny state to sheild them and their children from all of the world’s sharp edges and hard corners.
August 19th, 2004 at 11:30 am
That, and the fact that if the ban is as ineffective as you say it is, these Repubs can support the ban without much real effect on the gun owners in their constituencies. Unless there’s a strong NRA presence there, it’s win-win for them. They can claim to be “doing something” about the gun problem without actually, you know, doing something.
August 19th, 2004 at 12:20 pm
Actually I think that the RINO’s that are back the AWB are just as ignorant of what it is and what it does as most people are.
It is a known fact that most represenives do not read the legislation they vote on, they rely on assistants to do that and advise them.
How many of them have had any real experience with firearms of any sort?
August 19th, 2004 at 3:48 pm
Say Uncle,
I keep saying that the House has almost enough votes to pass it & I’m pretty confident of that. Look up GOA’s ratings for the 108th Congress. If you count up the F, D & Not Rated Reps you’ll come up with a number about 8 short of a simple majority in the House. There should be somwhere around 50 C rated reps to try & convince to vote for the ban.
Hopefully Hastert will grow a spine & not let it hit the floor (dittoe with Frist in the Senate) but if it does I’m pretty sure there are enough votes in both houses to renew.
September is going to be interesting.