Obama’s position on H.R. 822

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In this Washington Post story on H.R. 822 is this nugget:

“… The administration has not yet taken an official position on the bill …”

This is important because I’m sure they know about it.  Obama could have called the bill D.O.A., but he hasn’t.  He could have criticized Congress for talking up guns instead of jobs like Jim McGovern did during yesterdays debates, but he hasn’t done that either.  While he might not personally like the idea I suspect he would sign the bill out of political expediency.   Doing so would blunt upcoming attacks by the NRA over his re-election campaign.  Plus the antigun organizations do not bring anything useful to the table so they cannot really help or hurt him either way.

Buerkle wants Holder out

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Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle has called for Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation over the ongoing “Fast and Furious” scandal.  Here is a good quote from her letter:

“… Attorney General Holder’s actions have illustrated a disregard to the United States Constitution.  The 2nd Amendment is a sacred right of individuals and, unfortunately, its integrity has been undermined by the Attorney General.  The Office of the U.S. Attorney General is tasked with upholding and protecting our Constitution …”

Hochul on H.R. 822

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I received an e-mail earlier from one of our guys in the district saying that Rep. Kathy Hochul plans to vote for H.R. 822 which now looks like it will come up sometime tomorrow.

Amendments not happening

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Carolyn McCarthy wants to try to add amendments to H.R. 822 allowing states to either opt-in or opt-out of the reciprocity law.  It’s not going to happen.

Romney or …

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A good analysis on Mitt Romney’s campaign over at Warning Signs blog, “If Not Romney, Who?”

One thing I don’t agree with is this:

“… Whether it’s been about abortion and choice, stem cell research, gun control, immigration, or taxes, Romney has been on one side of the issue or the other over the years. What is called “flip-flopping” can also been seen as a process of growth, of examining his positions on these issues and—yes—changing them …”

While this argument might have some degree of validity, with respect to gun control, it is far more plausible that Romney recognizes being seen as pro-gun, or at least not antigun, is more politically advantageous to him than being viewed as antigun.

Obama has been doing pretty much the same thing, and actually doing a much better job at it than Romney.  Romney’s going to NRA meetings is much like John Kerry going duck hunting: not believable.  Stuff like that insults peoples intelligence and pisses them off.  Obama has largely avoided the issue in public.  Given his past record, being quiet about it is his best option.  Romney should do the same.

Microstamping a “minorities” issue?

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The New York Times is trying to make supporting microstamping a “minority issue”:

“… Over the last several weeks, the governor has been lavishing attention on minority communities amid signs that some were growing impatient with what they perceived as a lack of attention to their concerns … Many minority lawmakers are looking toward the next legislative session, which begins in January, as they seek to enlist Mr. Cuomo’s support on a range of issues.  For example, State Senator José R. Peralta, a Queens Democrat, wants Mr. Cuomo to promote legislation that would require microstamping, a form of ballistics identification, on all new semiautomatic handguns …”

What crap.  Microstamping is not a concern in “minority communities.”  It’s not a concern in “majority communities” either.  It is a concern to the lunatic fringe at New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.  The only people pushing micristamping in Albany are Michelle Schimel and the patent holder of the sole source technology (which does not even work as advertised.)

Bachmann hits rivals on flip-flops

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Michele Bachmann has a new website which goes after her Republican rivals for their policy flip-flips: NoSuprises2012.com.

Mitt Romney and the NRA are mentioned at 0:48 in this ad.

House vote Tuesday

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The House vote on H.R.  822 is set for Tuesday the 15th.  NRA has a form on their website where people can e-mail their Congressman.

House vote on H.R. 822 soon

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Media reports indicate that the House will vote on H.R. 822 sometime next week.

Carolyn McCarthy and Frank Lautenberg sent a letter to Obama urging him to veto the bill.  Why would they need to do that if, as Chuck Schumer said, the Senate will block it?  I believe reality is starting to set in for the antis and they realize they don’t have the numbers anymore to filibuster it.

Bloomberg wins and loses at the same time

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As a follow up to Mayor Mike’s involvement in Virigina State Senate races, it appears that even though his chosen six candidates all won, the GOP is poised to take control of the upper house anyway.  According to the Daily News:

“… Concerned about the Democrats’ slim 22-18 margin in the Virginia Senate before Tuesday’s election, Bloomberg donated $25,000 apiece to six candidates who largely share his anti-gun views.  All six won.  But the Republicans flipped one seat in southern Virginia and appear set to take another — barring a recount … There are 10 gun bills that have passed the GOP-controlled General Assembly and now could also pass the Senate, including one that would repeal Virginia’s current mandate that a person can only buy one gun a month …”

Dave Adams writes about the political implications on the VSSA blog.