Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If Democrats pursue an Assault Weapons Ban then they'll never win another election. [View all]SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)57. NRA myth - Democrats lost Congress in 1994 as a result of the AWB
It is hard to make a case that the assault weapons ban was decisive in 1994.
The law certainly enraged many N.R.A. members and might explain the loss of certain Democratic seats. However, there were other major factors in the Democrats 1994 loss, starting with perceived Democratic arrogance and corruption (overdrafts at the House bank came to symbolize that).
Add to that voter unhappiness with Mr. Clintons budget, his health care fiasco, the Republican Partys success in recruiting appealing candidates, and that ingenious Republican vehicle for nationalizing the elections known as the Contract With America. The contract, by the way, did not mention guns.
Mr. Clintons successful 1996 re-election campaign actually stressed his gun control achievements. James and Sarah Brady spoke in prime time at the 96 Democratic convention, and Clinton campaign ads trumpeted his role in enacting the assault weapons ban and the 93 Brady law requiring background checks for gun buyers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/opinion/09sat4.html?_r=1
The law certainly enraged many N.R.A. members and might explain the loss of certain Democratic seats. However, there were other major factors in the Democrats 1994 loss, starting with perceived Democratic arrogance and corruption (overdrafts at the House bank came to symbolize that).
Add to that voter unhappiness with Mr. Clintons budget, his health care fiasco, the Republican Partys success in recruiting appealing candidates, and that ingenious Republican vehicle for nationalizing the elections known as the Contract With America. The contract, by the way, did not mention guns.
Mr. Clintons successful 1996 re-election campaign actually stressed his gun control achievements. James and Sarah Brady spoke in prime time at the 96 Democratic convention, and Clinton campaign ads trumpeted his role in enacting the assault weapons ban and the 93 Brady law requiring background checks for gun buyers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/opinion/09sat4.html?_r=1
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
59 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
If Democrats pursue an Assault Weapons Ban then they'll never win another election. [View all]
Scuba
Jan 2013
OP
Assault weapons should be limited to registered, monitored gun ranges that have the
bluestate10
Jan 2013
#4
Why do we keep chasing this windmill? Ban semi-autos, or don't. Why is it so important to you ...
Recursion
Jan 2013
#13
Of course not. But some Democrats from districts/states with significant numbers of hunters will
Freddie Stubbs
Jan 2013
#27
Congress should have a closed session to debate and vote on gun control...
Comrade_McKenzie
Jan 2013
#46
I don't feel that another Assault Weapons Ban will pass the Senate let alone the House. ...
spin
Jan 2013
#55