1999 Washington Post; Virginia Democrats see gun control as best hope of election

[virginia mountainman]

More chuckles, and a wee bit of schadenfreude... a few great quotes from the article..

Virginia Democrats, faced with tough odds in Tuesday's state legislative elections, have seized on gun control and the fear of another Columbine-type school massacre as their best hope to stem a decade of Republican gains in Northern Virginia and other suburban battlegrounds.

"I think it's the big issue for the Democrats, their one ace in the hole, their one chance to hang on to something in state government," said political science professor Mark J. Rozell, of Catholic University. Yet it's unclear that gun control is a strong enough issue to swing voters

O yes it is...just not they way, you, Mr Rozell, expected.......

But Diane Curling, 50, a Reston resident and former teacher whose husband is an assistant principal, said: "Gun control is our number one issue. If push comes to shove, we will be single-issue voters on this at every level, local state and national."

Democratic Party Executive Director Craig K. Bieber said guns are the top issue in six House races statewide. In all but one, they are Democratic challenges of Republican incumbents. Such races are vital to the Democrats, who are defending five open seats, compared with one for the Republicans.

"From my perspective, that is the single issue driving those campaigns," he said. "And it is the reason why Democrats in those districts are gaining traction and are putting themselves in a position to win."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/oct99/campaign29.htm

My my, how have the times changed..... BTW, I am aware of SEVERAL more pro gun bills, that now are only two steps away from the Governor's desk, and they are cruising to easy passage, several more are "in the pipeline" are are being passed through different commities.... All of them have significant Democratic support, and passed the Democratically control Senate....

Also, as a foot note, that election, like EVERY OTHER ONE since, saw gains on the pro-gun side...

[proteus_lives]

1. Ha.

Fools of the past.

[Skittles]

2. "pro gun bills"

says it all

[SteveM]

5. WAPO is the agit-prop of record for gun-control/bans. That says it all. nt

[virginia mountainman]

6. yep, and it is nice..

To realize just how far we have come.

[bluestateguy]

3. That was a long time ago

Democrats in a state like Virginia would not be so stupid today. As I recall even a boob like Creigh Deeds was rated as a A with the NRA.

[virginia mountainman]

4. your correct..

In the last election, Gun Control, was a complete NON-issue for both sides of the ballot..

It was very refreshing, to be able to discuss other issues with the people, as I vainly stumped for Mr Deeds.

IMHO, we are starting to get back, MANY of the votes we lost on this issue over the years. But it will take another couple of election cycles of "gun control" being completely off the table, to gain back most of those that angrily fled us in the 1990's.

Sad thing is, all it will take is ONE or two prominent Democrats, on the news, demanding some new Gun Control law, to undo much of this good work.

People get PISSED about this...VERY PISSED...