Saw the President in Scranton, PA yesterday...

[Binkster]

I saw the President at a rally yesterday morning in Scranton Pennsylvania. Yesterday was the first time I have heard either the President or Senator Kerry mention the 2nd Ammendment. The speech was very close to his nomination speach on Thursday night with a few minor exceptions. He said..."My opponent claims to be a conservative on many issues, but he (Kerry) has continuously voted against the 2nd Ammendment." There was some moderate applause. That was his only mention so far and I have been following this race very closely. My question to the "Think Tank" called The High Road. It is a good or bad thing that neither candidates are talking about the 2nd Ammendment and gun rights. On the surface, it would seem that we are gaining ground in the PR battle. The AWB looks like it is going to expire and more states are passing shall issue laws. I was just looking for some thoughts.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Well, it's not great.

If they were saying things like " I pledge to spend every waking hour dedicated to the cause of restoring the 2nd amendment to its full and glorious meaning", that would mean that 2A was a popularly supported issue, that the People Got It, and resistance to the notion was trivial. This sadly isn't the case, although signs are pretty encouraging.

As it stands, Kerry won't talk much about 2A because he's not credible among the gunnies, and doesn't want to frighten the soccer moms. What little he has said is mainly pitched to the Duck Hunters.

Bush won't talk about it a whole lot, as he doesn't want to frighten the soccer moms, or give Kerry any ammunition. When he does, it will be in strategic places, like PA, which is both in play, and generally a gunny state.

 

[Justin]

Personally, I prefer it when our pet issue isn't on the public or the legislature's radar. Whenever it's a Big DealTM nothing good ever seems to come of it.

 

[Kim]

I was watching CNN today and they showed a clip of him speaking(I don't remember where) stating something about the "INDIVIDUAL' right to keep and bear arms. CNN said it was the first time "gun control" had been brought up in the campaign.

 

[MikeK]

Even though the majority of the people here (THR) believe in it, it's a togh political issue. Glad to hear the individual right phrase being mentioned rather than Militia.

In that context probably better than not mentioning it. W's on a roll now. I have relatives in that area. I'll poll them but I doubt if they attended the event.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Republicans and President Bush strongly support an individual right to own guns,which is explicitly protected by the Constitution’s Second Amendment.

2004 Republican Platform, Gunsection, line 1.

Emphasis mine.

 

[Leatherneck]

I think both parties have decided that RKBA has no significant upside for them this season. The Dems fear being (correctly) labelled as gun-grabbers and so leave it alone for the most part. The GOP has decided that antis' votes count the same as gunnies' votes, and so decided not to emphasize even the words in their platform.

Should Kerry suddenly sieze on anti-RKBA as a potential winning issue, it will be very interesting watching the GOP/President's reaction.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[AZRickD]

When the Prez was at the Phoenix rally last month, I took the opportunity to sneak in the sign linked below. My sign and I got to within six feet of each other.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=96319

I wonder what he might think if he saw them randomly over the next few weeks?

Rick