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If what you say is true, that this would be a permanent measure, I am inclined to not vote for Bush should he sign the renewal. But jeez, how could he dare twist that knife into the heart of his base?

But jeez, how could he dare twist that knife into the heart of his base?

He can, because...Who else are you going to vote for?

But jeez, how could he dare twist that knife into the heart of his base?

That's what I don't understand, either - especially when gunowners put him over the top in Arkansas, TN and WV, the loss of any of which would have us discussing the reelection chances of President Al Gore.

The only thing that I can think of is that Bush and/or his political advisors don't think that it would hurt him as much as it would help him. I think that this is utterly false (not to mention a stab in the back, but that's a different matter). The gun vote can be broken down into 5 groups: 1) Those that care passionately about gun rights and who will vote single issue on it; 2) those who favor gun rights, but who have many issues that they consider more important; 3) those who couldn't care less; 4) those against gun rights, but who have many issues that they consider more important; and 5) those that are passionately anti-gun and who will vote single issue on it. The only 2 groups that matter are #1 and #5 - the others will vote whichever way they vote no matter what Bush does on guns. The only question is: which of #1 and #5 are larger? I'd suggest that #1 is, by a large margin. Further, who are the people in #5 going to vote for ANYWAY - Bush, who's nominally pro-gun or a Dem who's got a lifelong record of being anti-gun? Thus, the issue is a total loser for Bush if he signs any AWB renewal.