Lawrence says that if Obama doesn't address gun control tomorrow night...

[onehandle]

...that he will be disappointed in Obama for the first time and consider him part of the problem.

[elleng]

1. Yes, he said that after showing NYC Mayor Bloomberg on same subject.

Powerful.
Guests at SOTU Christina's family + ? Fernandez.

[butterfly77]

2. This is what..

irritates me about many in the media he seems to think he can dictate what he needs to put in the speech and if he doesn't then something is wrong. Yes,he has the spotlight but he has the spotlight in many arenas where he can say something about guns.

[slackmaster]

3. That would be one common 'tater becoming "disappointed" compared to how many votes potentially lost?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Hoyt]

10. I think folks realize gun proliferation has gotten out of control. Time to do something.

I doubt Obama will say much, if anything in SOTU. But it is time to start looking a tighter controls on guns and people's attitude toward them. It has become much too "liberal" in my opinion when people can openly carry in restaurants, parks, public gatherings, churches, schools, etc.

Plus, we need to look long-term and not short-term. We'd be better off if we had put tough controls on the type weapons manufactured/sold and criteria for possession 20 years ago.

[Statistical]

16. Gun proliferation isn't out of control.

Violent crime and homicide rates are at 30 & 40 year lows.

More guns and less crime.

Note: I am not saying more guns CAUSES less crime but there certainly is no statistical evidence that more guns cause more crime.

[Bruno2]

24. Why disarm the law abiding?

I don't see the point in disarming the law abiding. We are not the ones committing crimes. People who think along these lines have the facts misconstrued. Gun control isn't the solution to anything other than how to make a criminals job more safe.

[bullwinkle428]

29. "What happened to all the conservative democrats?" Dude, they

run the show these days!

[slackmaster]

41. If "gun proliferation" is out of control, and it's a problem, then why are crime rates dropping?

Your comment appears to have no rational basis.

[Tunkamerica]

44. My question: If crime rates are dropping, why the gun proliferattion?

your response also is just so much hot air.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I am betting the radicals at the NRA

have control even now...

So I will be surprised if he does...

[DemoTex]

7. So will I, Nadin

Sad, sad, sad lad am I.

[peacebird]

5. we have more important problems to address than a loser like gun control at this point

Let's hope he DOESN'T address it. Shock the right wing by NOT playing into their hand for once....
We need to get the economy and jobs growing again. We need to protect Social Security and health care. Let's leave the third rail that is gun control for another day.... Let's NOT hand the Becks/Palins/teabaggers that chestnut to roast, please?

[Raine]

6. TOTALLY agree

our side never seem to get what a losing issue this. Everytime this issue comes up all we do is lose more and more people in elections.

[DemoTex]

8. TOTALLY disagree

But then I've seen the carnage up close and personal.

[badtoworse]

17. I guess you weren't paying attention in 1994

Clinton himself blamed the Assault Weapons Ban (which didn't accomplish Jack) for the Republicans gaining control of Congress.

[Bruno2]

28. The carnage of what?

Unarmed victims not being able to defend themselves, families and property? Take it from a Democrat that will leave the party behind when this starts happening. I am not in favor of being a helpless victim. I am in favor of US citizens practicing SD . The criminals will always have guns and get guns. Should there be no guns for the law abiding then what?

[regnaD kciN]

11. EXACTLY!!!

Personally, I'd like to see more controls on things like gun-show loopholes. But the fact is, this issue is a sure-winner for the the right. I still remember when Deukmajian defeated Tom Bradley for governor in California, when Bradley was such a favorite he was mistakenly projected as the winner as soon as the polls closed. How come? Well, liberals in California had, in the aftermath of the attempted Reagan assassination, attempted to put a strong gun-control measure on the ballot. All it did was bring the righties out in force to oppose it...and vote a straight Republican ticket while they were at it. The tide of pro-gun voters was possibly also responsible for Pete Wilson defeating Jerry Brown for senate. And things haven't changed since then -- if you want to mobilize our opponents, propose even the mildest form of gun control. It's a sure-lose issue.

[Fla_Democrat]

30. Done

Personally, I'd like to see more controls on things like gun-show loopholes.



Since it doesn't exist, nothing to control. Problem solved. :hi:

[Bruno2]

34. We cant blame gun shows for

Criminals acquiring guns. IT IS ILLEGAL FOR CRIMINALS TO OWN OR BUY GUNS. There is no way to keep criminals from getting access to guns. We have to be prepared for when they threaten our lives and families. Keeping me from having a gun to defend myself and family with is the scariest thing I have ever heard.

[RamboLiberal]

42. Personally as a gun owner I don't see the problem

With making all gun sales/transfers with the possible exception of some antiques have to go through NICS. That one I could support.

[Statistical]

15. Some day. In 2010 NRA gave more Democrats A+ rating than any prior election.

More and more Democrats are waking up to the fact that gun control is something pushed by a rabid ultra minority of the party. Gun control never wins elections but it often loses them.

As time goes own Republicans lose more and more wedge issues but they can always count on the gun grabbers from bringing to the forefront the single issue where public opinion favors the Republican position.

[sharesunited]

9. The President wants to speak of things about which the country can be united.

Notice how he marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

By releasing a written statement: http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php

He would never say those things addressing a joint session of Congress.

At the minimum, and in similar fashion, he could have released a written statement after Tucson setting forth unequivocally what he believes regarding guns and ammo in American society.

But the subject is too controversial even for that!

[wiggs]

23. That's right. He needs to fix big problems and needs a high number of allies

(or a lower number of enemies) in order to get stuff done. It's not about votes. It's not about enacting a radical agenda. It's about addressing real, pressing problems. And while he may support congress doing something about gun control and while he may personally believe gun control is an important issue, it is NOT in the critical path for solving much bigger problems except as a bargaining chip.

[jtrockville]

12. He didn't turn the big oil gusher into an energy policy... so...

why would we expect him to turn the horrible murder of a federal judge and shooting of a US representative (among the other tragic deaths and injuries) into a gun policy?

[defendandprotect]

13. Lalrry should be prepared to be disappointed, imo --

[Statistical]

14. Hopefully Obama is smarter than to lose even more votes to

the albatross known as failed gun control.

How many lives were lost or ruined due to the so called "assault weapons ban" (aka scary looking rifles ban)?

It accomplished nothing but carried a horribly high price.

The "price" was Republican control of Congress for the next decade. NAFA, 9/11, patriot act, gitmo, warrantless wiretaps, creations of DHS, TSA, two wars of occupation, Bush tax cuts, 2 Supreme Court Justices (Roberts & Alito), etc.

[Hoyt]

18. Proof we have a problem. Supposed liberal public gun toters would defect if controls were enacted.

Since when were more people parading around with guns in public -- parks, churches, bars, nursery schools, films, churches, etc. -- a liberal cause?

[Statistical]

19. Since when is do nothing feel good laws a liberal cause?

[Union Scribe]

20. Er, I don't think liberals were even mentioned there.

Lots of independents own guns, and the NRA is whispering in their ear constantly that the government, mostly Dems, want to take those guns. Obama doesn't need to give them ammo, er, fuel.

[Statistical]

21. Exactly.

Some here will say "look at those paranoid fools nobody want to take your guns". Meanwhile in another threads (sometimes in the same thread) you have people proclaiming the only solution is outright bans of magazines, bans on lawful carry, bans on so called "assault weapons" (which like banning cars which look fast), and some even some advocating outright bans.

You have some people trying to pretend the 2A doesn't protect an individual right, saying people have no right to self defense, that only crazy people carry firearms for protection (which defacto should make them banned from owning firearms).

I mean it can't be both.

Either
a) Democrats aren't interested in worthless feel good no thing gun control - in which case Obama shouldn't push it

OR

b) Democrats are interested in a war on guns round 2 - in which guess I guess what the NRA has been telling swing voters for years was actually true.

Failed gun control policies MADE the NRA the most powerful lobbying organization in the country. Prior to 1994 the NRA was a relatively small organization only marginally interested in national politics.

[Bruno2]

32. I think democrats should

Lose the entire gun control issue as part of our platform. It's a big loser and citizens of the majority don't like it . I hope our party will part with this issue and make us a stronger segment of politics. Some major websites that identify the democrat platform are stating that we are turning away from the gun control issue and I see it as a winner.

[Hoyt]

37. Oh sure, let's continue glamorizing and liberalizing toting laws so Democrats don't lose votes.

Pro-gunners' rationales for doing nothing never cease to amaze me.

[Statistical]

39. More like lets stop pointless and Unconstitutional bans

so Democrats don't lose votes.

Gun control doesn't work.*
Gun control is unpopular.
Gun control costs election.


* You likely are preparing a response about Europe. Europe has had a lower murder rate PRIOR to banning guns and the rate didn't decline when they banned guns. Europe simply kills less people and that has been true for almost 200 years. When UK banned guns their violent crime rate relative to the US actually increased. Violent crime is UK is far higher than in the US.

[Bruno2]

43. Why not?

The laws are being glamorized to discourage crime. The right to self defense is inalienable. People who don't understand that aren't being rationale. Anti gunners rationale for wanting to ban a tool never ceases to amaze me.

[Odin2005]

22. Gun control is perfect of you want to drive folks into the arms of the Teabaggers.

:eyes:

[wiggs]

25. It's not that. It's not that he's worried about the votes in 2012. He hates

distractions. He doesn't want side shows while he's trying to move mountains on bigger issues.

He's shown that he's willing to jettison nominees, employees, pet projects, etc in order to keep the train moving. He may personally want more gun control but he's not willing to slow down a dozen other critical policy moves just for that.

[Ramulux]

26. It says a lot about O'Donnell

that Obama not mentioning gun control will be the first time hes been disappointed in him. Makes me wonder exactly what it is O'Donnell thinks Obama has been doing over the past 2 years.

[Little Star]

40. That was my thought exactly! First time he's been disappointed...

I like Lawrence but he is right of center imho.

[RegieRocker]

27. I have bigger things to personally be upset over than more

nonsense gun control. Just enforce what is on the books. Get FREE mental help for people.

[jtuck004]

31. Forget Lawrence. Jobs. That's all that matters. n/t

[Joe Fields]

33. I believe that gun control is a moot issue at this point in our history.

To debate it now is like closing the barn door AFTER the horses have all gotten out. There are simply too many guns, too lax laws, too many loopholes and too easy access to anyone who wants one.

It is a losing issue for those that want to have tighter control, and probably forever will be.

[Bruno2]

35. I agree Joe

It is time to use some common sense and quit alienating our party to the fence straddlers.

[krispos42]

36. "for the first time"?

Obama's not moving the country to the left. Since being RW is the problem, then Obama is by definition not a solution to the problem, at minimum.

Yeah, he did some good stuff on the periphery. But a lot of it was too little, too late (lame duck Congress), and a lot of it was simply insufficient and weak (health care reform). And a lot of stuff he refused to deviate much from the ideology (even if he changed means) of the conservative he replaced.

Lawrence O'Donnell needs to keep this in mind.

[Dappleganger]

38. I wouldn't hold my breath, Lawrence.