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Networks Herald Obama Throwing Down 'Political Gauntlet' on Gun Control
NewsBusters.org ^ | December 17, 2012 | Kyle Drennen

Posted on 12/17/2012 9:32:07 AM PST by Kaslin

The NBC, ABC, and CBS morning shows on Monday all touted President Obama seemingly calling for more gun control during a Sunday night vigil for the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. NBC's Today provided the most hype as correspondent Lester Holt proclaimed: "While he offered words of comfort, he also laid down a political gauntlet....sketching the outlines of what amounted to a policy statement on gun violence."

Holt acknowledged: "He did not utter the words 'gun control,' but his message could set the stage for such a debate." Speaking to co-host Savannah Guthrie later on the broadcast, Holt observed: "He didn't talk specifics, Savannah. But you got the sense that he was laying down a political gauntlet, saying perhaps it's time now to look at this issue of gun violence from all perspectives, political risks laid to the side." Guthrie replied: "Well, we'll see what happens when lawmakers get started in January with the new term."

Good Morning America was more subtle in it's coverage of the President's remarks on the shooting, but news reader Josh Elliott did convey: "President Obama was not specific about what he'll do to prevent similar tragedies. But political insiders predict tightened gun control will be a major priority in his second term." Co-host George Stephanopoulos declared it to be: "A bracing call to action from President Obama right there."

On CBS This Morning, correspondent Jeff Glor noted that Obama "spoke as a weary leader," explaining moments later: "I think a lot of us were surprised by the call for change, and we were talking about this. I think it's certainly very possible that at this point it becomes an unexpected priority now in his second term."

Later on the show, Glor further remarked: "...remember the President did not talk about the gun control issue at all on the campaign trail and now he is." Co-host Gayle King replied: "I'm hearing in the town last night they were saying they hope that the President will now speak up and that he will use the bully pulpit and lead to some change." Glor observed: "The President did not address the issue after Aurora happened in July." Co-host Norah O'Donnell added: "Or in Tucson after Gabby Giffords."

During a report on gun control during the CBS morning show, White House correspondent Bill Plante pushed the President from the left on gun control: "President Obama said last night he would use all the power of his office to prevent a repeat of the tragedies like the Newtown massacre. The President supports renewing the ban on assault weapons, but he ignored the gun control issue in his first term. And when he ran for president in 2008, he tried to reassure gun owners.

Here is a transcript of Holt's December 17 Today report:

7:01AM ET TEASE:

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: The President wrote these remarks himself and I can tell you it contained a more forceful call to action than even some close aides had expected.

7:03AM ET SEGMENT:

GUTHRIE: NBC's Lester Holt is here with more on that. Lester, good morning to you.

LESTER HOLT: Savannah, good morning. A tough weekend, the community needed the President to come here. He met with the first responders, the families. But the speech he delivered is not the one that many people expected. For while he offered words of comfort, he also laid down a political gauntlet. For the fourth time since taking office, President Obama stood before a community shattered by mass murder to offer words of comfort.

BARACK OBAMA: I can only hope it helps for you to know that you're not alone in your grief.

HOLT: The President called last Friday the worst day of his presidency. And this time he came with more than words of consolation. The President, sketching the outlines of what amounted to a policy statement on gun violence.

OBAMA: Can we honestly say that we're doing enough to keep our children, all of them, safe from harm? I've been reflecting on this the last few days, and if we're honest with ourselves, the answer is no. In the coming weeks, I'll use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens, from law enforcement, to mental health professionals, to parents and educators, in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this. Because what choice do we have?

HOLT: He did not utter the words "gun control," but his message could set the stage for such a debate.

OBAMA: Are we really prepared to say that we're powerless in the face of such carnage? That the politics are too hard?



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: 2012; awb; ban; banglist; banned; banners; bhofascism; democrats; dncmedia; enemedia; fascistmedia; guncontrol; liberalmedia; mediabias; msm; obama; pravdamedia; sorosmedia; tyranny; youwillnotdisarmus
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1 posted on 12/17/2012 9:32:17 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
Click image to download poster in PDF format

2 posted on 12/17/2012 9:34:15 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ("The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the state." - Cornelius Tacitus, Roman Senator)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

These self-righteous bastards always looking so serious and grim on TV morning shows telling us how they can improve the world and make everyone safer. I have about had it.


3 posted on 12/17/2012 9:35:39 AM PST by lesko
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

U.S. Murders: All 13,636; Hands and Feet 801; Assault Rifles: less than 348
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2912115/posts

State Sen. Trotter’s Gun Not Registered, Prosecutors Say(IL)
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20121206/chicago-citywide/state-sen-trotters-gun-not-registered-prosecutors-say-bond-court
I’ll take Dem’s seriously on gun control when they have to hang for the same crimes we do.
He should lose his job ,have a criminal record and be barred from public service

“Meaningful action” to me means a buttery smooth, bolt action .338 Lapua.


4 posted on 12/17/2012 9:35:53 AM PST by TurboZamboni (Looting the future to bribe the present)
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To: Kaslin

Who was it who said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”? Obozo interrupted the Sunday night football game so that he could “LECTURE” Americans on gun control. He didn’t state it thusly, but we all know where he is going. This ride is about to become very bumpy!


5 posted on 12/17/2012 9:37:32 AM PST by SoldierDad (Proud dad of an Army Soldier who has survived 24 months of Combat deployment.)
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To: Kaslin

Never let a crisis go to waste.


6 posted on 12/17/2012 9:38:05 AM PST by Eagles6 (Valley Forge Redux)
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To: Kaslin

Think it’s time to throw down the gauntlet and control the speech of the Obama media.


7 posted on 12/17/2012 9:38:11 AM PST by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: lesko

Do these networks have “Gun Free Zone” signs proudly displayed outside their buildings? Just asking.


8 posted on 12/17/2012 9:38:26 AM PST by IM2MAD (IM2MAD=Individual Motivated 2 Make A Difference)
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To: IM2MAD

If the media are consistent with the own hypocrisy they will have armed security guards standing near the “Gun Free Zone” signs.


9 posted on 12/17/2012 9:40:32 AM PST by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: Kaslin

“Communist anarchist” and (according to other boards) homosexual shooter:

http://predicthistunpredictpast.blogspot.com/2012/12/adam-lanza-anarchist-communism.html


10 posted on 12/17/2012 9:41:18 AM PST by TigerClaws
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To: Kaslin

Does anybody even watch this a$$hat anymore? I refuse to listen to the prince of lies that occupies the title President of the United States.


11 posted on 12/17/2012 9:41:30 AM PST by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: Kaslin

Adam Lanza’s actions will prove that [getting more and more] gun control laws and the guns out of the hands of citizens is hopeless [if you let this serious crisis go to waste.] “And what I mean by that [everyone of these mass killings is] an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” Rahm Emanuel. There’s just a few more needed the way things look now.


12 posted on 12/17/2012 9:43:48 AM PST by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: Kaslin

I’ll pick that gauntlet up and slap him across the face with it.

MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE NON NEGOTIABLE!


13 posted on 12/17/2012 9:44:33 AM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Kaslin

Recently Mark Levin said something hypothetical on his show about a new law forcing Americans to turn in our firearms. His next words were: “What if we say NO?”


14 posted on 12/17/2012 9:45:24 AM PST by dainbramaged (Joe McCarthy was right.)
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To: Kaslin
Someone needs to break the news to this undistinguished pr*ck that, no, he's not more intelligent, sagacious or moral than James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Nor could he even hope to carry any of their coats.

15 posted on 12/17/2012 9:45:28 AM PST by skeeter
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To: Kaslin

‘The President wrote these remarks himself....’

Horse$hit this twit isn’t man enough to write his name in the snow!


16 posted on 12/17/2012 9:49:01 AM PST by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: TigerClaws

The fat slob in that fb page doesn’t look anything like the gaunt zombie that murdered all those kids.

Are you sure this isn’t manufactured?


17 posted on 12/17/2012 9:49:11 AM PST by Westbrook (Children do not divide your love, they multiply it.)
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To: Kaslin
The mainstream media causes these shootings.

These idiots or psychos do it for the fame the media will give them.

The media makes these shooters household names.

These idiots seek the fame, attention or immortality the media will give them. That is the main reason. Can anyone tell me that the media has to keep blasting this creep’s picture and name all over ? or that they have to cover every detail of its life? NO. In fact the media have to know that just mentioning its name will give it the fame that it seeks and will cause other copy cats. But they know what they are doing . The media want to empower government and take away our individual rights including our right to protect ourselves with guns.

18 posted on 12/17/2012 9:49:32 AM PST by Democrat_media (media makes mass shooters household names to create more & take our guns)
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To: Kaslin

19 posted on 12/17/2012 9:52:40 AM PST by WackySam (Obama got Osama just like Nixon landed on the moon.)
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To: Kaslin

Why on earth did this community “need” this Bozo to come there?


20 posted on 12/17/2012 9:53:07 AM PST by day10 (Integrity has no need of rules.)
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