Clinton to attack Obama on gun control?

[HeraldSquare212]

from TPM, linking to Time Magazine story:

Hillary aides are reportedly studying whether they can hit Obama on gun control, an issue where Obama has taken a hard line that might turn off some New Hampshire voters.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/hillary_plans_to_draw_contrasts_with_obama_in_days_ahead.php


I don't think NH would buy that from Clinton, even if he has staked out a more aggressive position than she has. The Clinton's are still associated with the Assault Weapon Ban, I would think, so it would just come off as hypocritical.

But it's apparently pretty slim pickings for the Clintons in trying to find ways to "contrast" themselves with Obama. And it's hilarious that she's coming at him from the right.

[sandnsea]

1. I kind of hope they do

This will be a good opportunity to see how Obama handles it because it is an issue where he is going to have some problems.

[ingac70]

4. As if Hiliary is a champion of the 2nd Amendment!

She is going to make herself into a (bigger)joke.

[sandnsea]

10. Yes, but we see his strategy

to address the issue. He has a chance to answer a very real question going forward, while Hillary makes a fool of herself in the process. It can be a win-win, a phrase I really hate which is why it seems so perfect. :)

[ingac70]

2. Pot. Kettle. Black.

That's rich.

[slackmaster]

3. Hillary's position on gun control is not significantly different from Obama's

They're both solidly on the wrong side of it, from the perspective of a gun rights supporter.

Any Democrat who is a near single-issue voter on gun control (and there probably aren't very many) will vote for Bill Richardson.

[ingac70]

7. Bingo. n/t.

[RoveRage]

5. Isn't that just a Repuke tactic? Why can't our candidates just....

....tell us what they will do right as opposed to what they fear their opponents will do?

[LostinVA]

8. Isn't it a "Repuke" tactic to make baseless accusations?

Hillary has always voted for gun control. She's not going to attack Obama for voting for gun control.

[RoveRage]

16. She wasn't going to run for President either, remember?

[Renew Deal]

19. Did you bother to read the OP?

:shrug:

[RoveRage]

21. Yes, and this is where she's just like Bill.....

....when it comes down to it, she'll say what her handlers tell her to say because she doesn't really believe in anything other than it's her destiny to be the first woman prez and will say what it takes to get there.

[Renew Deal]

23. That comment was not to you.

[LostinVA]

6. Hillary has always voted FOR gun control

[BeyondGeography]

9. Are they going to grill him about flag burning and teaching evolution as well?

[Renew Deal]

11. Hillary is a perfect 0 on gun issues. Obama is slightly more pro-gun according to ratings

Gun Issues
Hillary

2006 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2006.

2006 Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all Congressional candidates in 2006, the National Rifle Association assigned Senator Clinton a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).

2005 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2003-2004.

2003 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House).

2003 In 2003 Gun Owners of America gave Senator Clinton a grade of F-.

2002 On the votes that the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence considered to be the most important as of 2002, Senator Clinton voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time. These scores are cumulative for each representative's time in their current office. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence considered votes from 1988-2002 in the House and 1991-2002 in the Senate when determining these scores.

2001-2002 Based on the results of a questionnaire the Gun Owners of America assigned Senator Clinton a grade of F- (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F-).

___________________________________________________________

Gun Issues
Obama

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 100 percent in 2006.

2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005.

[BringBigDogBack]

12. Would be an interesting stratgey

I just don't see it helping her. She's not that far from Barack on gun control, IIRC.

[ingac70]

13. Bringing up gun control= DISASTER...

That is something we do NOT want brought up this election year, unless of course, you want another Republican in office!

[Renew Deal]

14. Hillary is trying to hurt Obama with independents.

The funny thing is no one really stands to benefit.

[BeyondGeography]

17. At the expense of hurting herself with Democrats

Tough nut to crack, this Obama.

[Renew Deal]

18. Yes, if she attacks from the right.

And her record is perfectly anti-gun. It's just not smart.

[IndianaJones]

15. that would be a mistake. they both lose on this issue. nt.

[loveangelc]

20. theyre going to buy that from Hillary???? No. Maybe from Bill. But Bill isn't on the ballot.

It is getting ridiculous. who is running their campaign? clearly the team that won in the 90s haven't been doing too much since then or something.

[MethuenProgressive]

22. He voted "Pass" on gun control several times in Illinois.

Maybe that's what TPM is TPMing?

[Renew Deal]

24. Do you have proof on that?

A link perhaps?

[HeraldSquare212]

25. I assume as an urban officeholder, ie., from Chicago, he has a more hardline position

I mean, Giuliani did and Bloomberg does. HRC has tended to be on the margins of gun control - assault weapons ban, keeping guns from unstable people, etc., sort of the "reasonable" protection-oriented things that maybe wouldn't get her in so much trouble as say Bloomberg who wants to track guns and shut down gun shops that sell a lot of guns used in crimes, etc.

[derby378]

26. Gun politics on the Presidential level may hurt the Democrats...

...but pro-RKBA Democrats running for House and Senate seats may be able to swing independents and some disaffected Republicans. This helped facilitate the Democratic takeover of the Senate in 2006.

[Stop Cornyn]

27. I thought Obama flip flopped on gun control had disavowed all of his courageous positions as a state

legislator.

[derby378]

28. "Courageous?"

Outlawing private ownership of rifles that have legally been in civilian hands for a hundred years is not what I would call "courageous."

[Sparkly]

29. I don't get it -- is the "hard line" FOR or AGAINST strong gun control? nt

[Colobo]

30. Go ahead, Hillary... go ahead...