Obama must promise voters "I will veto every bill that comes to me that infringes upon RKBA" and

[jody]

make certain our platform says simply "We will protect Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms.".

That’s important now that the Supreme Court has acknowledged our Constitution protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense, the position our Party stated in our 2004 platform. That platform however has extra phrases that cause pro-RKBA supporters to question the sincerity of our Party.

The platform says, "We will protect Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms, and we will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists by fighting gun crime, reauthorizing the assault weapons ban, and closing the gun show loophole, as President Bush proposed and failed to do." See http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

Obama should also encourage all Democratic candidates and those holding elected office to either pledge to support the Democratic Party position "We will protect Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms" or publicly say that she/he does not support the Democratic Party on the right to keep and bear arms.

That is important because independent voters erroneously believe prominent Democratic senators and representatives speak for the Democratic Party when they call for laws that infringe upon the right to keep and bear arms. They speak only for themselves.

IMO the race between Obama and McCain could be very close on election-day and Obama will need every vote in swing states.

[blogslut]

1. I take it this issue is important to you personally

Hence, the formatting.

[jody]

3. The issue I'm interested in is winning the presidency and increasing control of congress. RKBA is

just one divisive, polarizing issue that can cost Obama and our party many votes if he and the party do not handle it carefully.

Obama has already said "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms" so I'm not asking him for anything new. I do however call for party unity on this issue.

[blogslut]

5. Well, then send your request to the DNC

:)

[jody]

6. Already done that. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

22. He's a Gungeon regular...

who surfaces every once in awhile. :eyes:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

24. Oh, but he posts about other subjects every once in a while.

Oh yes, he does.

[blondeatlast]

2. This is an electoral map, right? My new specs haven't arrived yet. nt

[jody]

4. "electoral map, right?" It could be because RKBA is an issue in swing states like FL, OH, PA. n/t

[baldguy]

7. He should if he wants to continue to promote the intentional misconstruing of 2nd Amendment.

The main purpose of the 2nd Amendment was to establish "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State". The means of doing this was "the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Since the US began to keep a standing army - almost immediately after the Constitution was ratified in 1789 - the 2nd Amendment has been obsolete. No matter what the RW neocon-dominated USSC says, there is no individual right to own a handgun in the Constitution.

I would prefer if he promised to protect The ENTIRE Constitution from erosion.

[jody]

9. You obviously disagree with Obama, Democratic Party, Supreme Court & We the People. n/t

[baldguy]

11. I think the Constitution should be protected.

And there's much more to it than the obsolete 2nd Amendment.

[jody]

12. I agree re protecting all enumerated and un-enumerated rights and that includes the 2nd. n/t

[bowens43]

15. BUt he agrees with Constitution which of course is the supreme law of the land

[jody]

25. I assume you mean Obama "agrees with Constitution which of course is the supreme law of the land".

You are correct

[Doctor_J]

8. No he musn't

the NRA will campaign for McCain regardless, and the idiots who watch Fox and listen to hate radio will believe them. Becoming a gun nut will only keep some on our side home on Nov 2.

[jody]

10. Do you object to Obama's statement "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the

right of individuals to bear arms"?

[bowens43]

14. Yes, he's wroing.

[jody]

26. ROFLMAO! n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

17. It doesn't clearly support a no regulation right -

so there is a right to keep and bear arms, but that right can and should be regulated: it is not unrestricted. This is obvious, and society could not function well without such regulation.

But this is a tired debate that belongs in the gungeon. Out of curiosity, do you support Iran's national right to develop a nuclear force?

[jody]

28. RKBA is an issue in the presidential election and I posted in the correct forum. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. The question is, rather, why do YOU believe that's NOT enough from Obama? -nt

[jody]

29. Because Obama will be attacked on the RKBA issue because of his anti-gun history. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

50. Like what, for example?

(I am a foreigner and therefore know little about Obama's pre-Senate doings)

[jody]

54. Obama was board member of the Joyce Foundation that funds the Violence Policy Center (VPC).

VPC’s primary goal is to ban handguns.

Joyce also offered Obama the position as its president.

Would an anti-abortion group select a pro-abortion person for its president? NO!

Would an anti-handgun group like Joyce select a pro-handgun person for its president? NO!

Obama voted AGAINST Senate bill 397 that said “The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the rights of individuals . . . to keep and bear arms.”

The Supreme Court said in D.C. v. Heller, “The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia . . .”

Obama immediately announced “I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms . . .”

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

60. OK, I looked up what the Joyce Foundation actually does.

Looks like a damn fine organization. More concentrated on Environment and Education. Most definitely not a single-issue entity. Unlike you.

What's next, bashing the ACLU?

[jody]

63. Apparently you did not research very throughly because Joyce funds VPC. Do your own research if you

can.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

64. What part of "more concentrated on" didn't you understand?

Get this through your thick skull: THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND GUNS!

[jody]

66. Unlike Heracles, I'm tired of cleaning out your mental stable. Goodbye. n/t

[grantcart]

19. I disagree 100% with Obama on this issue and couldn't be happier

Because my position is a losing position. There is no upside and the OP is 100% correct it is a huge impact on swing voters.


Nobody on our side is going to stay home on Nov 2 because of this issue.


If your anti gun and you don't want to vote Obama in because of Iraq then you certainly will vote for Obama because the next war in Iran is just a few bombing runs away.



Thank god we have a candidate who is 100% wrong on this issue. It brings us closer to winning.

[bowens43]

13. Despite the misguided ruling of the out of control neo-conservative supreme court

the second is not about individual rights. It is about the collective right of citizens to posses firearms with in the framework of a well regulated militia.

[jody]

30. Please read the dissents by Stevens and Breyer. Individual RKBA is protected by the 9th Amendment if

it is not protected by the 2nd.

[Warren Stupidity]

16. I want a pony with 50 cal machine gun!

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LynneSin]

18. I'm not a gun nut, I support the 2nd ammendment but what is RKBA stand for

thank you

[KAZ]

21. Right to Keep & Bear Arms

Yes, it was intentional.

[anonymous171]

20. Good idea. nt

[anonymous171]

27. Doesn't he take a "let the states decide" approach to the 2nd amendment?

[jody]

32. Obama said "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to

bear arms".

[crankychatter]

33. alla this red, white and blue is slapping me in the goddamn eyeball

your thread should have a warning sign on it

edited to add - Are aggression and testosterone toxicity, rights that are implied in the first Ten Amendments?

[jody]

34. Are aggression and testosterone toxicity, rights that are implied in the first Ten Amendments? Make

your case and you might have a point.

[crankychatter]

36. i can tell you're easy like me... good job not biting on my snarkiness

no text

peace out

[cbc5g]

35. Isn't it funny how the same type of people who are so concerned about the Fourth Amendment

and how our Constitution is being torn apart...these same people care little about the Second Amendment?

[jody]

37. Agree. Now that Heller has taken RKBA off the table, I'm turning my attention to the 4th and I hope

more DUers will join me. :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

38. He must do this or else what?

I don't expect him to swear to some sort of pledge. And I would object to him reacting in a knee jerk manner regarding any bill that comes to him on any subject. I would expect him to use his brain and examine each bill according to its merits.

[jody]

40. Read the OP last sentence, "IMO the race between Obama and McCain could be very close on

election-day and Obama will need every vote in swing states."

Have a nice day, :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

55. And I guess my reaction to the OP's words was that it sort of sounded like a threat.

You must do this or else. That's what I get for posting quickly at work.

Even so, I don't see what Obama would gain from obvious pandering.

[rug]

39. He should publicly execute a child rapist with a handgun to make the point.

[jody]

42. Thanks for your intelligent comment on a divisive, polarizing issue in presidential campaigns. n/t

[rug]

47. It wasn't me who supported either.

[skooooo]

43. Good idea...

Some people are sooooooo rigid.

[skooooo]

41. or....

..you're going to hold your breath??

[jody]

44. Thanks for another intelligent comment. n/t

[skooooo]

45. ..

:hi:

you're welcome

[PresidentObama]

46. I'm for the 2nd amendment, as well as good gun control, but this is up to Obama.

And I'll let it handle himself.

He doesn't have to promise me anything.

[jody]

48. Please reread the OP. My point was not about Obama supporters but others who might vote for him if

he takes RKBA completely off the table.

Obama has an anti-gun history and his statement "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms" is a CHANGE from his anti-gun position smacking some of political opportunism

I also said "IMO the race between Obama and McCain could be very close on election-day and Obama will need every vote in swing states."

[PresidentObama]

49. How is McCain's record on this issue?

Out of curiousity...

[jody]

52. Not very good. I'm interested in the swing states FL(27), OH(20), PA(21) electoral votes where RKBA

is one of the divisive, polarizing issues that could cinch the state for Obama.

Obama has said “I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms . . .” but he will still be attacked because of his anti-gun history.

IMO he can take the issue off the table by the promise I suggested in the OP as well as encouraging other Democratic candidates to support him on this issue.

Note the DU thread below discusses an NRA plan to spend from $15 million to $40 million to attack Obama on RKBA.

IMO Obama could devastate such an attack with one press conference.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=178483&mesg_id=178483

[skooooo]

51. It would be easier to see this..

...if you didn't use all the big letters and colors in the post.

Just saying.

[jody]

53. Have a nice day. n/t

[LeftyMom]

56. Please take the crazy back to the gungeon.

kthxbai.

[jody]

57. Get used to me because I'm not going away. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

59. Other posters said the same thing. They were wrong. -nt

[jody]

62. ROFLMAO! n/t

[kctim]

58. Excellent Post!

There are tens of millions of pro 2nd Amendment voters out there and they are not all right wing nuts either. A large number of them also vote against the Democratic candidates simply because of their unConstitutional platform concerning the right to keep and bear arms.
Do Democrats not need those millions of votes?

Great advice Jody. Such actions sure would have helped in the 2000 and 2004 elections.

[Major Hogwash]

61. How old are you, jody?

You know he will never do this, so why make this type of thread?

[jody]

65. How old are you Major Hogwash? IMO the probability is non-zero that Obama will indeed make a promise

similar to the one I suggested.

Obama has a problem with the anti-gun crowd, they feel betrayed because he agreed with SCOTUS's decision on Heller and said "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms".

Obama came out of the closet and sided with us gun-nuts, :rofl:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

67. And that, of course, is not enough.

He must grovel in a hysterical, tent-revival fashion. Get a grip.

[Major Hogwash]

68. Why can't you answer a simple question, jody?

Because you've shot your big mouth off about what this issue means to you, but you probably haven't even been around long enough to vote for President more than 4 times.

You have made a lot of snarky comments to me over the years, and yet you can't answer a simple fucking question about your fucking age.
I think that speaks volumes about you, bud.

[jody]

69. Hogwash or whatever word aptly describes you, I don't value your opinion so get a life. n/t

[Major Hogwash]

70. Just answer the question.

Just one time.