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Hillary Locks and Loads

Editorial of The New York Sun | December 12, 2007

Ah, what a wonderful thing is democracy. It may have its flaws, but there's nothing better, particularly the pleasures of a national election with early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. What else to make of the latest press release from Senator Clinton's campaign, touting Senator Obama's one-time support of "banning all handguns" as evidence that calls Mr. Obama's "electability" into question?

Well, it's a pleasure to welcome Mrs. Clinton to the Second Amendment side of the debate. It's a new development; back in 2000, when Mrs. Clinton was running for Senate, she backed the "Million Mom March" for gun control, and, according to CNN, told the Newspaper Association of America, "We have to do more to stand up to those who refuse to believe the reality that guns do kill and that common-sense gun measures can make a difference." When she ran for re-election in 2006, she earned a rating of "F" from the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund.

For some the gun issue is about the Constitution; for Mrs. Clinton, it's apparently about "electability." We're less concerned about her motive than amused to see our senator attacking Mr. Obama from the right over the right-to-keep-and-bear-arms — and in a year that has seen high-profile deadly shooting sprees at Virginia Tech, Colorado churches, and a Nebraska shopping mall. To those who say this is no way to elect a president, here's an example of the way in which the prospect of confronting voters in an election pulls a politician closer to a mainstream policy position.


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Let's face it. Thesepeople in either party remain "photoshop phoneys." They will say and do whatever is needed to get... [MORE]

Don L 

Dec 12, 2007 06:11

Your comment is mainly true, but you failed to consider the stance of one man running for president who has... [MORE]

William Mayhue 

Dec 13, 2007 13:13

The Clinton template is to take whatever position is expedient toward their/her goal. Certainly no one expects them/her to stand... [MORE]

James Page 

Dec 12, 2007 09:56

vote for Hillary,and help start the revolution. [MORE]

ART 

Dec 12, 2007 22:23

This is, of course, just another example of why no politician should ever be trusted. They all have the same... [MORE]

Bill G 

Dec 12, 2007 11:09

It would be a difficult choice if it boils down to Hillary vs the Huckster for President. Hillary bashing another... [MORE]

Howard Lee 

Dec 12, 2007 11:41

People who advocate gun control are generally concerned about they, their loved ones, or others in their community becomming innocent... [MORE]

jake 

Dec 12, 2007 16:29

This is laughable – Hillary criticizing another candidate for taking (essentially) the same position that she has taken in the... [MORE]

Seething in San Jose 

Dec 12, 2007 17:36

While I understand what you are sayiong re: the silliness of Howard Lee and his ilk, what people like YOU... [MORE]

slickvguy 

Dec 12, 2007 17:45

Jake, In reading Howard's post I see nothing there that indicates it as an "..unfortunate tirade" which is "..so typical of... [MORE]

Bob 

Dec 12, 2007 18:17

Bob: Please allow me to add to your eloquent argument. Jake: All of the credible, empirical studies done on gun control... [MORE]

Seething in San Jose 

Dec 12, 2007 19:05

Jake, you said it yourself. People are afraid. The problem is that in so many ways today, we see people... [MORE]

Mitch 

Dec 13, 2007 00:26

I am a 58 year old woman and in Illinois we really do not have a right to carry a... [MORE]

Bobbi 

Dec 13, 2007 09:50

Hello Jake. Look man, if you are so very scared of weapons, you maybe should leave the USA. It is... [MORE]

ralphy 

Dec 13, 2007 14:07

I don't know if anyone will be reading this but according too the FBI guns are used in one third... [MORE]

Stuart Buncher 

Jan 3, 2008 15:24

If guns were to be out lawed by the government the only people not owning guns would be the ones... [MORE]

rifle man 

Jan 30, 2008 22:43

Politicians generally tell people what they want to hear. With gun policy as with Iraq, while I don't trust that Clinton... [MORE]

Ralph Phelan 

Dec 12, 2007 17:20

To remove every gun from America would be like removing every black market drug, or immigrant who can't prove they... [MORE]

Keith Landry 

Dec 12, 2007 18:00

though some say it is a worthless attempt to try and remove all the guns from every american who owns... [MORE]

Isabel S 

Dec 14, 2007 14:08

isabel, the United States is a Republic. We have democratically elected representative form of government- but we are NOT a... [MORE]

Ralphy 

Dec 15, 2007 11:08

"I am for what you are for ...if you will vote for me." I don't believe that I am the... [MORE]

Roger.45 

Dec 12, 2007 18:14

Just like her husband, she takes whatever position the polls say she should.This country elects her at our peril. [MORE]

Mark 

Dec 12, 2007 18:33

It's widely known that almost all Democrats are against guns in any shape or form..So Hillary, a liberal gun hater,brings... [MORE]

George Pradarits 

Dec 12, 2007 19:23

This is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. Both have a solid record of gun hating. If... [MORE]

Britt 

Dec 12, 2007 20:14

Some of the republican candidates, Giulianni for one, will enact "common sense gun laws" too. They will even if they... [MORE]

Tory 

Dec 13, 2007 04:55