Obama to gun-control petitioners: “We hear you”

posted at 2:46 pm on December 21, 2012 by Allahpundit

Three minutes of video that have less to do with pushing specific policies to reduce gun violence than pushing his supporters to keep up the pressure. One of O’s biggest obstacles in passing something is the public’s notoriously short attention span after a mass shooting. If the White House couldn’t get something through Congress after one of its own members was shot in the head by a lunatic, odds that they’ll get something passed in January, after a long holiday break and more fiscal-cliff clusterfarkery, are low. (Then again, Obama never really tried to pass something after Tucson because, as always, his reelection was more important to him than gun control.) He needs an all-hands-on-deck public pressure campaign by O-bots to keep the heat on, if only so that he can better demagogue Republicans later — the Clinton playbook — for failing to Do Something when the bill fails in the House.

Have a look at Pew’s new poll today to see just how tenuous his position is. Less than a week after 20 kids were killed, he still can’t get to 50 percent on whether it’s more important to “control gun ownership” than protect gun rights. Twenty years ago, 45% said the NRA had too much influence over gun laws; today, just 36% say so. (The number who say the NRA has either too little influence or the right amount exceeds the number who say it has too much.) This is a rare cultural issue on which opinion has become more conservative over time, enough so that O’s worried that even the bully pulpit and a national burst of grief over murdered children won’t be enough to deliver policy change. They might have enough momentum to get a very modest bill done; if they focused exclusively on high-capacity magazines or hollow-point bullets, they might peel off enough Republicans in the House to make it happen. But Obama’s already invested too much rhetorically in something bigger so he’s obviously playing a longer game of getting the House GOP to spike a new assault-weapons ban and then hoping it helps deliver the House back to Pelosi in 2014.

One silver-y lining for Democrats from Pew, though: On this issue as with so many others, younger voters are firmly in their corner.

With the glaring exception of seniors, those demographics break just as you’d expect given the results of the national exit poll in November. But as I say, young voters are the key. Heavy gun regulation is impossible now but, unless something changes, might not be in another 10-20 years. Gun rights advocates had better ramp up their outreach to them, replete with efforts to encourage ownership (which correlates strongly with support for gun rights, as you might expect), to make them more comfortable with guns or else trouble’s on the way.


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Why are the GOP straight up *inventing* State Department e-mails out of thin air? What possible purpose could it serve?

libfreeordie on May 17, 2013 at 7:18 AM

So says the Lib whose administration has provided 94 of 25,000 documents and whose one same Ms Nuland has uttered “do we want Congress knowing we didn’t heed warnings”….golf clap.

hillsoftx on May 17, 2013 at 8:20 AM

libfreeordie on May 17, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Gibber all you want, bubi.

You have NO credibility around here.

But I do see you constantly defending yourself. That tells me a lot, because I have seen you so many times and for so long.

The people here who rise against you aren’t at fault, no matter what you think of your pitiful self.

We rise against you because YOU ARE YOU.

End of story there, whether you like it or not.

Liam on May 17, 2013 at 8:23 AM

Scum or otherwise, there is nothing ‘pure’ about a liberal.

While I agree with you in full, I find liberals to always be tainted somehow.

+100 to you

Liam on May 17, 2013 at 7:54 AM

tainted” “pure scum”? haha I know what you mean, though. :)

This is the kind of immoral, unintentionally comedic mental case who should be only ignored or mocked here:

I’m probably more christian than anyone here.

HotAirLib on May 16, 2013 at 9:35 PM

Unspiritual d-bags like HAL are like the Jews who thought they were more Jewish & closer to God than Jesus Himself while they were pressuring Pilate to crucify Him.

Anti-Control on May 17, 2013 at 8:26 AM

Republicans must guard against the temptation to count on scandal to deliver election victories in 2014 and 2016.

Perhaps you confuse a mere political scandal with clear evidence of widespread oppressive intimidation and law breaking by an calloused all powerful government with a “mere” scandal?

The idiots understand fear easily enough. Therefore, it is the GOP’s role to help them to start shaking deep inside over this abuse that our forefather’s knew would come from only from our own government.
Follow the Chicago way and double down on this perfect opportunity to rid our nation of the evil called Godless liberalism as government. It is anything but “just a scandal.” It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Don L on May 17, 2013 at 8:27 AM

the IRS should be sued in the most public manner possible.

BuckeyeSam on May 17, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Oh, how that would educate the people. Not gonna happen.

Saltysam on May 17, 2013 at 8:29 AM

***

“These guys are awfully frustrated right now,” Carville said, referring to the GOP. “They’re taking the anger out, and I understand that. I think the White House has just go to live with this for 30 days, get the truth out and you know, just roll with the punches here. They’re down to swinging pretty wildly here.”

Why do I suspect that if he were around in 1941, that he’d be directing the Zeros to their targets? What total lack of moral character.

Don L on May 17, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Historically speaking, now would be about the right time for Obama and company to stage a false flag operation/Reichstag fire episode. Hopefully he or Jarrett and company won’t go after Michelle, for whom I am feeling some small amount of sympathy.
I think that I put my tinfoil hat on a bit too tight today.

justltl on May 17, 2013 at 8:37 AM

No, they are not decent people. They are either defending the actions this administration has taken or even gloating over the fact that they so effectively subdued the TP and are getting away with it.

I used to think that some of the comments about reeducation camps and such nonsense were the stuff of tin foil brigades. Fun to joke about, but far-fetched. These days, I just don’t know. I think they’re capable of anything.

hawkdriver on May 17, 2013 at 6:37 AM

To successfully implement a working Gulag system geography is a consideration?

workingclass artist on May 17, 2013 at 8:39 AM

libfreeordie on May 17, 2013 at 7:09 AM

Hold on tight to that thread. I’m sure it’ll support your weight.

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/14/The-White-House-s-New-Game-The-Benghazi-Emails-Were-Doctored

NotCoach on May 17, 2013 at 8:39 AM

Oh, how that would educate the people. Not gonna happen.

Saltysam on May 17, 2013 at 8:29 AM

I disagree: this is just starting. The GOP is just getting on top of this issue, and the media is just now getting around to paying attention to it. Sekulow has 15 to 25 clients already. People–small businesses and individuals–are now coming out of the woodwork in addition to these tea party groups.

Look, liberals (see that Jon Stewart video) are exasperated by all this. I’m sure that liberals like some of the Morning Joe panels are just p*ssed that the IRS got caught. But non-ideologues will not go for seeing individuals, businesses, and legitimate charities harrassed by the IRS. I really do think that this is a solid 60% outrage issue, with another 10% to 20% knowing it’s dead wrong but not voicing an opinion because–whatever their issue–they can’t side with conservatives. That leaves the crazy 20% who who believe the only problem is that the IRS got caught.

BuckeyeSam on May 17, 2013 at 8:41 AM

Why do I suspect that if he were around in 1941, that he’d be directing the Zeros to their targets? What total lack of moral character.

Don L on May 17, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Yep, and I admit I find it very cute when they project that deficiency onto Repubs, as though we are just as amoral as they are.

They are extremely stupid when it comes to understanding their own psychology, let alone when it comes to understanding how others’ minds work.

Anti-Control on May 17, 2013 at 8:43 AM

NotCoach on May 17, 2013 at 8:39 AM

Yeah, I was going to say that I’d read that almost as soon as libs were dancing on tables, that lame WH effort had already been debunked by the very emails they distributed.

BuckeyeSam on May 17, 2013 at 8:43 AM

the IRS should be sued in the most public manner possible.

BuckeyeSam on May 17, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Oh, how that would educate the people. Not gonna happen.

Saltysam on May 17, 2013 at 8:29 AM

There are a few class action suits against the IRS in the works. The number of lawsuits will likely increase as more information comes forward…

“Earlier this morning, several members of the Kentucky 9/12 Project, the Richmond Tea Party, and Ohio Liberty met with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) in Washington, DC, to discuss plans for civil suits against the IRS for the admitted intimidation and targeting they received after applying for tax exempt status…”

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/05/16/some-conservatives-targeted-by-irs-say-they-plan-on-filing-civil-suit-against-irs/

And there’s one class action filed for theft of records

“What happens when a fundamentally flawed entitlement program that threatens to usurp one sixth of the U.S. economy runs up against a scandal involving the government’s second most powerful enforcement agency? The answer is a class-action lawsuit filed by a California HMO alleging that 60 million medical records from 10 million patients were stolen by the IRS.

Healthcare IT News (via Courthouse News Service) writes that an unnamed HIPAA-covered entity in the Golden State is bringing the action against 15 IRS agents. “The personal health information seized on March 11, 2011, included psychological counseling, gynecological counseling, sexual/drug treatment and other medical treatment data….”

http://libertyunyielding.com/2013/05/15/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-irs-over-theft-of-60-million-medical-records/

workingclass artist on May 17, 2013 at 8:46 AM

Ok well try again:

Old Country Boy on May 17, 2013 at 9:11 AM

It still doesn’t work. Go to mi site or Instapundit to get the link.

Old Country Boy on May 17, 2013 at 9:11 AM

They are extremely stupid when it comes to understanding their own psychology, let alone when it comes to understanding how others’ minds work.

Anti-Control on May 17, 2013 at 8:43 AM

Agreed…These are the actions of the Self-Centered.

The problem is that many old school liberals are in utter denial as to the hijacking of their agenda by Progressive Totalitarian Leftists (Operating using the tools of Fascism).

These old school liberals cling to their denial because the cognitive dissonance is too painful psychologically,intellectually and emotionally.

I spent some time reading and commenting at some liberal blogs during the 07′ – 08′ primary season…and it was evident the generational and ideological divide between conventional Bluedogs and Progressives.

I did this because I was curious to see how Obama’s divide and conquer strategy within his own party was effecting the Bluedogs v Progressives.

At the time I was completing a political series and was adding the responsive activity of New Media into the work…So it was research really to add heft to the series.

This became especially clear with the old school feminists who supported Hillary Clinton and then were divided ideologically with the media treatment of Sarah Palin. Some are disillusioned by the revelation of their corrupt fallen heroine Hillary Clinton.
Personally I have little sympathy but I understand it.

What I saw was that many of these old school liberal folks assumed a kind of protective psychological helmet that blinded them to what they knew was a clear Fascist agenda working within their midst…They became the most confused lot I’ve ever seen.

I got booted off a lot of blogs…My crime was using logic and asking questions about the obvious shifts in politics/philosophy that became fluid to meet whatever objective was necessary. All politicians have feet of Clay.

It was interesting…Quite the education.

When I was an undergraduate in the mid-1980′s we had a great government professor…He was an excellent rhetorician. He warned us about Socialist/Fascism and the mechanics of it’s implementation. There is little difference in either philosophy or mechanic since both tenets achieve the same goal…Totalitarianism.

What I learned both as a student in college…and in life is that Fascism can creep into any culture when people get lazy.

The sheeple citizenry become content with Bread & Circuses.

workingclass artist on May 17, 2013 at 9:29 AM

Ok well try again:

Old Country Boy on May 17, 2013 at 9:11 AM

Here ya go…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/15/a-fascinating-map-of-the-worlds-most-and-least-racially-tolerant-countries/

WAPO also has a link for another map on ethnic diversity.

According to their conclusions the US is in the middle when it comes to ethnic diversity because the wealthier the nation the less ethnically diverse.

I find this conclusion spurious…likely due to the definition of ethnicity they are using since most of the countries in Africa and the Middle East are deemed more ethnically diverse than the US.

workingclass artist on May 17, 2013 at 9:49 AM

Why are the GOP straight up *inventing* State Department e-mails out of thin air? What possible purpose could it serve?

libfreeordie on May 17, 2013 at 7:18 AM

…new name!…dumbphuckordie !

KOOLAID2 on May 17, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Anti-Control on May 17, 2013 at 5:09 AM

Because it’s target practice… allowing us to sharpen our skills on their strawman corpses before engaging in dialog that really matters… with our friends and relatives that don’t know any of this is going on, but were still Democrat supporters.

I know that the debating practice spent with these morons have made me a better debater with those who do matter. Without them constantly falling on my sword, I wouldn’t know how to handle my “rapier wit” to most effect.

Just speaking for myself, I’d like to thank the trolls here on HotAir… you have made me SOOO much more informed on my conservative worldview and effective in communicate it with others. Because of you, I have been feeding articles and viewpoints to my conservative friends, and helped them prepare their debating skills. You have made me so much more effective… as a person, as an informed citizen, as a patriot of this nation… and sealed the fate of your own party! On behalf of conservatives, thank you for your ceaseless stupidity in defending your corrupt ideology! Thank you for your support!

Liberals, please keep posting your drivel, as it only makes us better…

dominigan on May 17, 2013 at 10:51 AM

BuckeyeSam on May 17, 2013 at 8:41 AM

Well, I don’t disagree with you on your point that suits will happen. I guess I differ on a matter of degree when you say “in the the most public manner possible“.

You and I both know, the press and the television media will chase diversionary “Breaking News” as soon as possible and the continuing suits will find space on page 17 in the ho-hum columns, soon after they cobble together a couple of obscure, off-the-record sources and headline a “Bush may have done it too some experts say”. Then the GOP will run to the next television camera and save us from steroids-in-high-school-football-causing-the-tea-party-attitudes-that-have-prevented-Congress-from-getting-anything-done, dancing to the tune that the liberal media plays.

Business as usual as soon as possible.

Saltysam on May 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM

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