Obama says won't campaign for any Democrat who doesn't back gun reforms

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Source: Reuters

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he will not campaign for Democrats who don't back gun reforms, part of his effort to make tougher gun laws a cause in the November 2016 presidential and congressional elections.

"I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform," Obama wrote in an op-ed column in the New York Times.

"All of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies," Obama wrote. "All of us need to demand that governors, mayors and our representatives in Congress do their part."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-guns-election-idUSKBN0UM00Z20160108

---

Kudos to the President

[mwrguy]

1. Get on board or GTFO

[Cha]

3. +1!

[sheshe2]

21. Boom!

[Cha]

23. Booom, she!

It's so funny the usual on here whining about this. They can't let something great go by without trying to drag it down.

Fortunately for us and the country they are in the minority.

Jake Tapper Verified account 
‏@jaketapper CNN/ORC poll shows strong support for POTUS gun exec actions:
Dems - 85%
indies - 65%
GOPers 51%
gun owners 57%
rural residents 56%

Retweets
603 Likes 554
4:06 PM - 7 Jan 2016

http://theobamadiary.com/2016/01/07/chat-away-749/

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

54. Wow, I'm really glad to hear that. A little surprised even.

And just think how many more would support that if the RW media hadn't consistently been drumming up rabid opposition to any measure of regulation or control whatsoever.

In fact, President Obama wouldn't need to resort to executive action because legislative action would have been already taken by Congress.

[Cha]

57. Exactly Dark n Strormy Knight! Thank you.

[Champion Jack]

14. great!

[Cha]

2. That's my President.. thank you, PTBL!

Obama says won't campaign for any Democrat who doesn't back gun reforms

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he will not campaign for Democrats who don't back gun reforms, part of his effort to make tougher gun laws a cause in the November 2016 presidential and congressional elections.

"I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform," Obama wrote in an op-ed column in the New York Times.

"All of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies," Obama wrote. "All of us need to demand that governors, mayors and our representatives in Congress do their part."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-guns-election-idUSKBN0UM00Z20160108

[zipplewrath]

4. If he had only had this attitude for the Blue Dogs

This kinda clout mighta gotten us a Public Option. Instead of going to Kucinich's district and challenging him.

[underthematrix]

37. So you think there was a straight between the O-care legislation and congressional dem votes?

That's not how it works.

[justhanginon]

5. So glad I voted for this man. n/t

[Hoyt]

6. Obama will be influential for decades.

[MBS]

7. Outstanding. n/t

[BeyondGeography]

8. The NRA has pissed off the wrong President

[mainstreetonce]

9. Answering the tough questions at a forum

when he could just be done with it all.

Best president of my life time.

[jillan]

13. So proud of this president! Unfortunately immediately after it was over CNN went right to

Hugh Hewitt and my feelings of pride for President Obama went right into anger at the bs Hugh was spewing.

[Laser102]

85. Beginning to hate CNN. Far too many right wing nut jobs.

[Thinkingabout]

10. Music to my ears.

[stone space]

11. Bravo!

[Reter]

12. So Obama would be banned on DU

Perhaps a change of rules is necessary.

[Munificence]

82. I was going to

post the same thing but you beat me to it.

[Nye Bevan]

105. Wow. There's a DU rule that states we must support Democrats who oppose gun reforms?

I wasn't aware of that.

[Reter]

106. Yup

We must support the nominee of our Party.

[lancer78]

15. Since red state dems

didn't campaign with him before, then I doubt this will make much difference. I hope all the left wing pundits are correct and Americans will support this where it counts. For if this whole emphasis on guns backfires and we lose the White House this fall like in 1994 when we lost a bunch of congressional seats. If that happens I can see Obama being vilified as much as Ralph Nader.

[BeyondGeography]

18. Sanders is not even the last thing on his mind

Because it isn't even in his mind.

Absurd that it even has to be said.

[BeyondGeography]

20. Your post was truly laughable

Thanks for the chuckle.

[Cha]

25. Damn straight BS is not on President Obama's mind.. he has way more important things to

think about.

[Lizzie Poppet]

50. Like electing another corporatist.

hoop-de-fucking-do...

[Cha]

55. Love President Obama.. he's been an excellent President!

[trillion]

75. The guy supports the TPP. He is NOT an excellent president. That said he does do some good things.

He should stop drone, end gitmo and torture and the tpp though. But I do like that he's standing up to the guns. I did vote for him twice. The first time because I believed him, the 2nd because he was the lesser evil.

[JackRiddler]

103. Superpowers!

A presidential mind-reader! Inside his head! You know all, or project it that well. How did you get this power? Radioactive spider? Mutant?

[sheshe2]

24. They were 5 and 6 years old, forget the politics for once.

Sandy Hook. 20 children and six adults.

No child should feel this fear. The terror will live with them forever.




You want to make their death about Berni,. Hillary and who Obama supports? That is so damn sadl

They died, the babies died.

[Cha]

26. Mahalo, she~

Moms Demand Action ‎@MomsDemand
Moms thank @POTUS for standing up for our children so they won't have to stand up to gunmen. #StopGunViolence
5:37 AM - 5 Jan 2016 254 254 Retweets
308 308 likes


Nancy Pelosi
✔ ‎@NancyPelosi
Thank you @POTUS for commonsense action to #StopGunViolence. Now Congress must follow suit. http://goo.gl/g6exXH
7:14 AM - 5 Jan 2016 386 386 Retweets
559 559 likes

More Tweets Thanking POTUS for Commonsense action to #StopGunViolence~http://theobamadiary.com/2016/01/06/stopgunviolence-thank-you-president-obama/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/118736132

[Cha]

28. Don't even bother, she.. just anonymous ignorant pot shots on the internet.

It means nothing.

[sheshe2]

30. ;)

[Cha]

31. ..

Sometimes they get what they deserve.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

32. Jury Decision

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

The Sany Hook massacre was a national tragedy. The OP is making light of all the children and teachers who perished in the massacre.

JURY RESULTS

A randomly-selected Jury of DU members completed their review of this alert at Fri Jan 8, 2016, 12:30 AM, and voted 4-3 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No, you are shamelessly using their death for your own agenda ...they are not yours to barter with.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Human decency. You should try it some time. 
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: I completely agree with the alerted.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: There is nothing that makes light of Sandy Hook in the alerted post. It does make light of the emotional appeal. Opinions will vary on how tasteful that is, but it isn't against the rules.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: This guy has been trolling for ages. Hide. 
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

[Cha]

34. Wow.. that was close.. but no matter the jury came through.. Thank you, PTBL!

Good Alert Comment.. so true.

[sheshe2]

35. OMG!

You are kidding. A hide?

I didn't alert.

[Cha]

38. Neither did I..

But to whomever..

[ProudToBeLiberal]

40. i was the one that alerted. Now, I am sure I will be targeted.

But, i couldn't stand how the OP was making light of a national tragedy. The pain and wound still hurts.

[sheshe2]

42. Thank you.

Tears and yes pain. I have baby great nieces and nephews. They lost 2 men, a great grand father and grand father within 2 weeks last year. They are scare they will die too. It was a drawn out disease for them. The children are in counseling.

Those children from Sandy Hook, the sibs that survived will have fears and nightmares for a very long time. Sad it is amusing to some.

Thanks PTBL.

[Cha]

56. Thank you, again, PTBL!

[NastyRiffraff]

68. +1,000

For pity's sake, people! This is not about your candidate. Certainly not about you. At all. The SUBJECT of this thread is Obama's stand on gun control, and he is standing firm. Too bad Congress won't act, but they won't so this is what our president can do.

Thank you, President Obama. We'll have no way of knowing how many lives will be saved because of your executive order, but many will be.

[Arkana]

48. Sorry to break up the persecution pity party,

but you do realize that yes, in fact, Barack Obama will work for and support Bernie Sanders if he's the Democrats' choice?

[1StrongBlackMan]

51. "Obama is already campaigning for Hill."? ... Really? eom.

[Cha]

58. President Obama thinks we're going to have a Strong Democratic Nominee so I'm

guessing in their minds that must mean one thing..

[1StrongBlackMan]

61. This is so much like yesterday's narrative ...

that DWS endorsed a republican over a Democratic candidate ... truth: she didn't endorse anyone. So now ... President Obama is campaigning for HRC because he hasn't come out for Bernie ... never mind that he hasn't come out for anyone.

[GoneFishin]

52. Or in other words, he has already chosen who he supports. Any pretense that it has anything to do

with gun control is a pile of horseshit and political propaganda.

[mwrguy]

17. The time is right for a major push

[Iliyah]

29. K & R

[Feeling the Bern]

33. I have had major issues with this president and some of his policies

but I am completely behind this one! Good job, Mr. President.

[branford]

36. Most of the Democrats in pro-gun areas or states

already lost their seats in the 2010, 2012, and particularly 2014 election cycles. That's precisely why the Republicans control the Senate, have their largest majority in the House in generations, and control a clear majority of governorships and statehouses. Besides, most Democrats in conservative, largely pro-gun areas tend to avoid the president and most national Democrats like the plague when in their districts. Lastly, strongly pro-gun Democrats, like Jon Bel Edwards, the recently elected governor of Louisiana, are not running for election, and his opposition to the president concerning guns would only boost him in the state.

The president is pandering to Democratic primary voters. I just hope the pro-gun push doesn't hurt our Party's presidential aspirations in the Fall in competitive states with many pro-gun voters, such as Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. Let's see if we've learned the hard lessons of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. If we haven't, I doubt everyone lauding the president's actions now will be as pleased when President Trump or Cruz dismantles Democratic policies one by one, well in excess of anything to do with guns.

[Cha]

39. No, President Obama is speaking from his heart.

[branford]

41. Possibly, but that doesn't change the political reality.

Gun control has been a monumental electoral loser for our Party for many decades. We lose elections over the issue, and cannot cite any serious gun control legislative achievements to mitigate the losses. In fact, public opinion is trending in favor of gun rights, and calls for gun control do little more than sell millions of more guns and raise money for the NRA mostly used against Democratic candidates.

I admittedly support gun rights. However, as a NYC resident, I routinely vote for gun control Democrats. I do this because I readily understand that the whole panoply of Democratic policies and priorities are far more important than this one single issue and know that there's insufficient support to change anything on a national level. I simply hope that my fellow Democrats who support gun control also prioritize the entirety of the Democratic agenda over a myopic, and futile, focus on guns.

No matter our differing opinions on gun control, I'm confident that we both never want to see a President Trump or Cruz!

[Cha]

43. No "possibly" about it.

[trillion]

76. Things are changing. Most people support gun control now. You can see the light at the end of the

tunnel where they won't win elections without it. I always thank the outspoken gun owners who are against all regulation for helping us convince the public that guns should be well regulated. Look who has them and how many are completely unreasonable to the point of insanity - no gun regulations what so ever, yahoos with guns in schools "defending" them, demanding to walk around stores with them so people can feel like they're shopping in Iraq.

[Lurks Often]

45. You should be banned for interjecting facts!

and yes, that was sarcasm.

I'm sure most of the responses you get (if you get any other then mine) will be some form of denial or veiled personal attacks.

Pushing for gun control cost the Democrats the House in 1994, got the Democratic Speaker of the House voted out of office, got George W Bush elected to Governor of Texas and probably cost Al Gore his home state of Tennessee in the 2000 Presidential election. If Gore had won Tennessee, what happened in Florida would not have mattered.

[Tortmaster]

44. I love President Obama!

This isn't some twitter bomb or media campaign or ad blitz this is all-out war. Good. I love President Obama!

[Odin2005]

46. So he wants to throw all the Dems here in Flyover Country under the bus?

In many areas supporting gun control is POLITICAL SUICIDE for any Dem.

[BeyondGeography]

47. Reducing actual suicides in flyover country is what he's talking about

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-homicide-suicide-rates-jumped-after-repeal-of-background-checks/article_694c5ed9-06e3-5e1a-b81d-eadac9e73059.html

[Odin2005]

59. Yes, lets take away guns from hunters with depression because they might kill themselves.

Great way to discourage people from getting mental help because they risk having their rights taken from them

[BeyondGeography]

63. I see you read the story thoroughly

Nice gun lobby cartoon response.

[CommonSenseDemocrat]

88. Since the suicide rate in France is about the same?

Gun laws have zero correlation with murders or suicides.

[BeyondGeography]

92. Asinine statement

So glad you've joined us.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

49. Background checks are popular with gun owners.

[Odin2005]

60. But not the NRA, and opposing the NRA is a political death wish in many areas.

Are you willing to give away seats to the GOP over a single issue?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

65. Those areas aren't going to vote for the Democrat ANYWAY.

[Odin2005]

66. I LIVE in one of those areas and my representative IS a Democrat (Collin Peterson).

My state legislators are also Democrats.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

67. Well then the NRA isn't as "Great And Powerful" as it claims.

[benEzra]

69. Magazine bans and rifle handgrip bans aren't. (n/t)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

71. Not with the folks who play army in the woods.....

But those are a tiny but loud minority.

BTW: Those idiots also believe the community should thank them for keeping it safe.

[benEzra]

73. Not with the rest of us, either.

I think you've put your finger on the misunderstanding that cost Gore his home state in '00 and Kerry so many blue-collar Dems in '04, and that is that most gun owners Gen-X and younger don't own the same styles of guns that were/are popular with the Baby Boomer generation. So tailoring legislation around straight-stocked rifles, revolvers, and large-caliber single-stack pistols hasn't made sense for 40+ years now; by and large, that's not what we own. I don't expect you necessarily to approve of our choices, but it's good to at least understand the scope of what you're advocating. FWIW, I'm a Gen-X gunnie and casual USPSA competitor,

What Gore/Kerry didn't understand is that banning rifle handgrips that stick out, when the most popular rifles in U.S. homes have handgrips that stick out, is a slap in the face to mainstream rifle owners, not just to fringe types who play dress-up on the weekends. Given that handgrip shape has nothing to do with rifle lethality, and rifles are the least misused of all weapons (all rifles put together kill fewer Americans annually than bicycles), the *only* thing such bans do is harass lawful owners.

Likewise, banning magazines over 10 rounds has much broader impact than you think, given that 15+ round rifle magazines have been mainstream since the 1860s, and most smallish-caliber carbines and full-sized 9mm pistols have used such magazines since the 1930's. Banning anything over 10 rounds would affect 50+ million owners and probably a third of a billion magazines; it's not a fringe thing.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

79. So you'll vote Republican if the Democrats try to go after your guns?

[AgadorSparticus]

95. He may not. But he is saying the bazillion other rifle owners will.

That's why Kerry, et al. lost. And the general election is always about the moderates who can easily vote either way. Give up the seat, the presidency, etc for 1 issue? Not that hard.....

[Spitfire of ATJ]

96. That whole "we must be moderate" argument ignores Obama winning twice....

I guess we are supposed to ignore that and go back to the "New Democrat / Third Way" minset where we think of elections as appointing an administrator that will keep everything the same.

After all, we don't want to affect investor confidence. It's such a fragile thing.

[AgadorSparticus]

97. Geez. It's not always a corporate conspiracy.

Just because you don't know too many gun loving folks doesn't mean they don't exist. There's a lot of them out there that aren't right wing fanatics.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

98. This is about bucking the Beltway Common Wisdom.

[AgadorSparticus]

99. I guess I just see some truth in that. What we want to believe and what the reality is are 2

Things. Like it or not, the powers in play have inflicted right wing radio and other sources of right wing idealogues on the masses and more and more of this virus is reflecting in how we must vote....and not because it has any validity, but because the landscape IS changing. So, maybe I do subscribe to the 3rd way. I see it as a more pragmatic look. But certainly not any real representation of what I truly WANT to believe. Having said that, I will always vote for the most impact (translation: no right wing bullshit). This is why this election year is so exciting to me. For the first time, I see a politician that reconciles both the pragmatic side of me and the idealistic side as well. He is truly the man of the populous and I think has great integrity. But, MORESO, he has a real chance at not just the democratic nomination, but the general election as well. And for THAT reason, I will vote for him.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

100. That's why the public is angry. DC is playing the same tired game....

The public doesn't take the right-wing seriously. They are a joke. The problem is Washington is slow to catch up with the public. They still have these right-wing "think" tanks and right-wingers throw black tie events to give awards for who was the biggest asshole.

[AgadorSparticus]

101. Yep. People ARE angry. We see the fractured right and hence, the rise of the tea party.

They are dangerously growing in numbers. Sometimes I can't tell if DC is slow to react, if they just don't have an answer to the virus or if all of this is just masterfully constructed. Maybe all of the above. It is never black and white. We have a perfect environment to breed this sort of craziness: economic instability. Inflation is insane. More people have jobs, which is a step in the right direction, but that doesn't mean they can support their families. People are angry, needs are not met, and that makes them vulnerable. Cue the tea party. It is almost like our modern day nazi party. All in the name of Jesus while the assholes keep pushing. So, yes. People are angry. But they are also vulnerable. And that makes them even more dangerous.

It's not just DC. It is politics in general. And the award for biggest asshole this month goes to Arizona governor Ducey. Douchebag Ducey just met with the Koch brothers and came back an inspired evil motherfucker. He now wants to have total leeway to do whatever the fuck he wants without legislative interference. That's right. He seems to think that dictatorship is the wave of the future. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself. Is all this real?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

104. In a sane world the Koch Brother would be in jail.

[lark]

53. ThANK YOU OBAMA.

So happy to have you standing up for decreasing the mass violence that's perpetrated on the American public every single day.

[trof]

62. I'm guessing they woudn't want his support.

In many states, Obama's endorsement is toxic.
Especially in my state.

[Number23]

64. And that's what you call a shot 'cross the bow and leading the charge. K&R

[PatrynXX]

70. well that should disqualify Hillary

Bernie uh , takes someone who has given the NRA some give to take some back. Fairly sure Hillary won't.

[Paper Roses]

72. Bravo, Mr. President. n/t

[trillion]

74. Me either! And, no campaign donations to anyone who doesn't.

[EdwardBernays]

77. sigh

of course none of his gun reform is gonna accomplish much of anything, and he won't even state the specific goals he hopes to achieve, and historically these sorts of vague and piecemeal approaches to gun control have in the long run backfired, which means they made things worse...

so... I would suggest that not supporting his plans is something serious gun control advocates should consider... trying to bully or blackmail people into supporting random gun control laws, with no stated goals or endgame, seems pretty weak to me.

[trillion]

80. The goal is to close all loopholes so all sales have background checks.

After that, to get a consolidated database in place for those background checks - criminal, mental health and medical. This will create a post facto national registry.

Then to get doctors and police to update them real time and flag people who need their guns taken away.

Closing the loopholes is the hardest part. It's closing the gates first to make sure everything else regulatable. If you can't buy a gun because of x reasons, why should you be able to have a gun at all for those reasons, is the way it will work.

[EdwardBernays]

81. that's not a goal

Last edited Sun Jan 10, 2016, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

that's a plan to achieve a goal...

ie. If they do that and more people die than before, will they have achieved their goal?

The AWB was a huge failure, because after it expired it wasn't re-upped. And why?

Because while it existed it lost 35% of it's support.

And why? Because absolutely no one thought it had had a meaningful impact on gun violence. And, because there was literally no stated goals for it when it was implemented, no one could prove it was working. They could just say AWs are bad.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/assault-weapons-ban-poll_56715c23e4b0dfd4bcbff62e

When gun violence stays as bad as it is now - and it likely won't be reduced meaningfully by these measures - many, many people will reach the conclusion that control doesn't work. And the media will push that narrative, because there is literally no goals stated which can be met to prove them wrong.

And when these executive orders are repealed by the next Republican President, whenever that happens, there will be no appetite among Americans to fight that, and in fact there could be a huge appetite for loosening other restrictions.

Sometimes the options are bad and worse - and worse isn't the better option, just because it represents change.

And demanding that someone with legitimate concerns - and I believe my concerns are legitimate, and I'm sure many gun control activists politicians also have other legitimate concerns about these measures - demanding that those politicians acquiesce to supporting these measures if they want the President - the head of the party - to campaign for them, is just bullying.

"We can’t expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question somebody’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism."

- Barrack Obama

But apparently you can't expect the leader of the party to support you if you disagree with the implementation of one random policy he's trying to push.

[JoFerret]

78. Thank you Mr. President

for your leadership.

[madfloridian]

83. Now wait a minute.

The president won't vote for anyone who doesn't support him on a single issue?

That makes him a single issue voter?

Just kidding, I think.

[liberalnarb]

84. I've been a strict critic of some this President's non-progressive policies.

But I don't think I've ever been prouder of any other President!

[bluestateguy]

86. Symbolic

Any Democrat who is pro-NRA is likely from Oklahoma, or Kansas or Texas or a rural pocket of Pennsylvania, where Obama is likely to be unpopular anyway.

[Tortmaster]

87. I love our President.

This is common sense. Anybody can see that. In fact, that's why gunthusiasts go out and buy gun stores out of guns and ammunition after another mass slaughter. Even they think something should be done.

Thanks, Obama!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

89. Chuck Todd asked, "Does this mean Obama doesn't support Bernie Sanders?"....

I hate Chuck Todd.

[tomm2thumbs]

90. Tim Russert must spin in his grave for any help he gave to Charles Todd -- a 'forever mistake'

Well, at least until he can tell him to his face one day what a complete dolt he is and how he spoiled his chance to become a good journalist and instead became a coffee klatch gossip with no scruples.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

91. MTP was a debate about Trump vs Cruz at one point....

They liked Trump better because he's a salesman and will "adapt" while Cruz might be too likely to actually try to do stuff on his own and be harder to control. They see Trump as the next Reagan. Reducing the presidency to the PR department for the GOP.

They consider Hillary to be in real trouble in the General over all of her "scandals".

The supposed "liberal" on the panel said she "...doesn't see a path for Bernie to win" omitting the usual recommendation that all Liberals should give up and slit their wrists in total despair.

[daybranch]

93. Just another non-issue by Hillary supporters hoping to cloud the water

Bernie endorsed Obama's gun reforms days ago. If Obama's view is if you do not support everything or I will not support you he has proposed Obama would have no backing out all.
Obama's unwillingness to endorse should be telling you more.

[Amimnoch]

94. Good statement, but is in necessary or beneficial at all?

I've read some of the garbage replies above.. from both sides.. I'm fairly certain this ISN'T about any of the Presidential candidates. All 3 are strong on gun legislation, so I'm pretty sure this wasn't aimed at any of the 3 in the Presidential Primary race.

I can say, with a fair bit of confidence, any Democrat who is running for a House or Senate seat, and is pro gun lobby is likely not interested in Obama support, and I'd wager such support would be more of a detriment than benefit to their campaign. Really, let's cut to the chase.. If a pro-gun Democrat is running with such a position, you can be pretty certain they have a pro-gun (anti-Obama) constituency.

[Taitertots]

107. All the Democrats in second amendment friendly states let out a sigh of relief.

The last thing we need is Obama running around screaming about unpopular policies and costing democrats seats.