Wait is that Jeb Bush?
In their bizarre quest to ensure that their hometown Governor is not elected President, the Boston Globe-Worker does yet another feature story on a Mitt-flop. This time the issue is gun control.
In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons.
"That's not going to make me the hero of the NRA," Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.
At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: "I don't line up with the NRA."
Romney maintains his position on the assault weapons ban today, but had kinder words for the NRA as he campaigned with their top members at a Florida gun show.
Chuck Todd of the Hotline interviewed top NRA officials who were unconcerned by Mitt's background. Todd wrote that these positions could matter more to those in the media than those in the trenches.
Romney is not alone amongst the Big 3 as a candidate with issues that hurt them with the gun community. On the issue of campaign finance reform and the gun show loophole, McCain found himself at odds with the NRA. McCain did oppose the Brady Bill. Giuliani said in 2000 that all gun owners should have to pass a written test, one of many statements that distances him from the good folks at the National Rifle Association.
We'll have a line-change in the morning.
In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons.
"That's not going to make me the hero of the NRA," Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.
At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: "I don't line up with the NRA."
Romney maintains his position on the assault weapons ban today, but had kinder words for the NRA as he campaigned with their top members at a Florida gun show.
Chuck Todd of the Hotline interviewed top NRA officials who were unconcerned by Mitt's background. Todd wrote that these positions could matter more to those in the media than those in the trenches.
Romney is not alone amongst the Big 3 as a candidate with issues that hurt them with the gun community. On the issue of campaign finance reform and the gun show loophole, McCain found himself at odds with the NRA. McCain did oppose the Brady Bill. Giuliani said in 2000 that all gun owners should have to pass a written test, one of many statements that distances him from the good folks at the National Rifle Association.
We'll have a line-change in the morning.
posted by Caucus Cooler at 1/14/2007
12 Comments:
There is no 'there' there with Mitty on guns. He got a 'B' from the NRA before he even became governor.
Abortion - yeah.
Guns - nope.
It seems like all of the candidates have their issues with guns. The most damning things from Mitt were his quotes about the NRA. The assault weapons ban thing will only hurt him amongst the absolutists.
If you do your research and look talk to anyone from the NRA you will see that in Mass, if Mitt had vetoed that bill it would have been overturned and became law as the Dems wanted.
So he worked with the NRA and the Dems in the legislature to get the worst parts out of the bill. So yes he signed the bill, but it could have been much worse had he not worked with the NRA to craft it.
We didn't criticize. He's said recently he still supports the ban, which seems like a pretty sane position frankly. So we don't really understand your objection?
Cooler-
You don't mention that besides McCain's sponsorship of bills that close the gun show loophole and campaign finance reform, he has essentially a perfect voting record with the NRA including opposition to the assault weapons ban. I think gun owners can find an advocate in John McCain.
Great argument Cancerman.
Why don't you Mittens just ask the former chief lobbyist and chairman of the NRA PAC James Baker who's better on guns McCain or Romney.
Don't take my word for it, just ask the man yourself.
I won't be holding my breath to hear how your call went.. :P
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Keep trying with the "Mitt Flop" nickname . . . but it won't stick.
Can we quit it with this Kerry-like "Flip-flop" comparison?
A "flip-flop" means to change ones position "the flip" and then to change it back "the flop". Kerry had tons of true "flip-flops" (I was against the war before I was for it before I was against it . . .--or did I get that backwards) Romney has matured politically and seen the benefits of conservatism (call abortion a "flip" if you want . . . but there's no evidence of "flip-flops".)
For a nickname to stick it has to have some level of truth to it. It's a no go with this one. That you guys have it proudly as one of your "Caucus Coolerisms" (the only one directly relating to a candidate from either side) says quite a bit about how you are trying to push anything anti-Romney that you can think of.
ROmney's always been for a ban on assault weapons and has always been for protecting the 2nd ammendment's right to legally and responsibly own and bear arms. No "flipping" on this issue (despite the Globe's headline and some mild editorializing in their text.) He has altered the tone a bit, but not changed any positions that I can see.
For more on Romney and guns see this.
Jeff-
We clearly state both in the post and in the comments that Romney didn't flip on the assault weapons ban. You have to admit that his language with regards to the NRA and gun control is drastically different than in the past though. We also pointed out the opponents shortcomings on the gun issue as you can see in the post.
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Gov. Huckabee is a gun owner, has always been a staunch supporter of second amendment rights, and will have no problems at all with the gun issue.
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