Dean Walks a Tightrope Over Positions on Gun Control

[Renew Deal]

By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JODI WILGOREN

Published: October 31, 2003


NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 30 — Back when Howard Dean was running for governor of Vermont in 1992, he told the National Rifle Association in a signed questionnaire that he opposed any restrictions on private ownership of assault weapons.

These days, running for the Democratic presidential nomination and appealing to a very different electorate from that of his small, largely rural state, Dr. Dean assures audiences that he firmly supports the assault weapons ban enacted under President Bill Clinton in 1994 though vigorously opposing any further federal regulation of guns.

Dr. Dean declined a request for an interview on Thursday. But a spokeswoman said there was no contradiction between his current position and what he told the N.R.A. in its 1992 questionnaire, a copy of which was provided to The New York Times by aides to a rival Democratic candidate who is a stronger advocate of gun control.

The spokeswoman, Tricia Enright, said Dr. Dean's answers 11 years ago applied only to a state ban, though in fact the question at issue specifically referred to both federal and state law. Ms. Enright also pointed out that the question defined assault weapons in a way that encompassed semiautomatic rifles and shotguns commonly used by hunters in Vermont, while the federal ban applied to 19 specific weapons typically used in street violence.
<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/31/politics/campaigns/31GUNS.html

[KittyWampus]

1. At Least Dean Has Us Talking About The Issue

I personally am an ignoramos when it comes to gun issues.... there are a lot of angles! :dunce:

[AP]

16. I've never seen a campaign in which Dems were helped by talking about guns

Even when they've said, "gun safety, not gun control" is their issue, when guns are part of the debate, no Democrat is going to out-2ndA a Republican.

[Renew Deal]

2. Authenticity

I am posting this seperatly so people can read the article without my thoughts...

It looks like this is another Dean change in position. Dean really tries to be all things to all people. Is there an authentic thought in this guy? I am disturbed by Dean's multiple positions on issues. Is anyone actually clear on his positions on gun control, medicare, affirmative action, social security, Israel, the environment, wars in general (pro every war but Iraq 2) amongst others. This is just more proof that Dean will say anything to win and that his record stinks as bad as the waste he sent to Texas.

[pruner]

4. this is just more proof you don't like Dean

nothing more, nothing less.

[Hep]

5. (FAKE) Concern coming down the pike!

He's "disturbed"! Because if it weren't for stories like this from 11 years ago, he would totally be on Dean's team.

Dean's stance on gun control is clear. To say that because he filled out a questionnaire in 1992 differently than he might today, that his record stinks, or that you are "Disturbed" is contrary to the way you act on this board.

You hate Dean like all the other Dean haters. You look silly when you fake concern like this.

[Renew Deal]

6. I don't hate Dean...

I have said nice things about him plenty of times. I heve even said that I have warmed to a Clark\Dean ticket. But this is another position change for Dean. We have found at least two this week. What disturbs me is the list of issues with position changes I provided. I am wondering if there is an authentic thought in Dean's body. I would guess health care, but not more than that.

[pruner]

7. I don't hate gays…

some of my best friends are faggots.

:eyes:

give me a break.

[Hep]

8. ANother position change for Dean?

What does that mean? Can you define position change?

TEN YEARS!

Why the hell do people here who seek to constantly bash Dean (YOU) have a problem with a person seeing things differently after ten years? Dean's position on gun control has no changed a bit since he decided to run for president. Claiming he is changing positions is MEAN SPIRITED and FALSE. I don't care how you pretend to cover up your animosity toward Dean, framing things this way is disingenuous.

And I don't see you giving the other candidates equal criticism time.

[Renew Deal]

10. Are the others flip flopping on a daily basis?

I have said nice things about all of them. I have questioned ideas from all but CMB. Dean gets more press than the others so we get to look at him closer.

Before: Back when Howard Dean was running for governor of Vermont in 1992, he told the National Rifle Association in a signed questionnaire that he opposed any restrictions on private ownership of assault weapons.

After: These days, running for the Democratic presidential nomination and appealing to a very different electorate from that of his small, largely rural state, Dr. Dean assures audiences that he firmly supports the assault weapons ban enacted under President Bill Clinton in 1994 though vigorously opposing any further federal regulation of guns.

How about attacking the issues instead of whining about the poster.

[Hep]

17. There you go again!

Are the others flip flopping on a daily basis?

You don't hate dean, you just feel this uncontrollable compulsion towards lying about him! Gotcha.

I don't think I want to live in a world where 10 years equals one day.

Please clarify what you mean by "daily basis" or please just admit you hate Dean.

How about attacking the issues instead of whining about the poster.

Because it isn't an issue. You make it sound like he changed his mind just before deciding to run. That's an unfair assumption, and it's evidence that yours is not heartfelt concern or objectivity.

I'm a lot more accurate in pointing out your dissembling than you are in pointing out any waffling on Dean's part.

[Hep]

3. The issue IS a tightrope

I don't know how I feel about the assault weapons ban. It's ambiguous and doesn't serve to curb any sort of actual fgun violence. It's a vanity policy to give the left something to pretend to support while giving the right something to fight against.

Semiauto rifles and shotguns counted as assault weapons in the questionnaire? How would Kerry feel about a ban on shotguns? Idunno.

One of the funnier things is how known anti-Dean people keep having to trot out things from 10-12 years sgo to find any dirt on Dean, and feverishly work to do so.

And of course, thanks for the link. I'm sure the rest of the story was just boring anyway.

[realFedUp]

9. Link?

[Renew Deal]

11. Sorry, here

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/31/politics/campaigns/31GUNS.html

[CWebster]

12. His present position is on sound footing

Common sense.

But, I really do not see how you can make an argument about Dean's evolving position considering that Kerry and Clark supporters are constantly attempting to defend their candidates recent pattern of waffling.

[Renew Deal]

13. Ummm

I don't know how you can argue to suppress arguments about Dean's positions considering that you constantly attack Kerry and Clark about their "pattern of waffling."

[CWebster]

14. You are right

Let's stop. Deal?

[JNelson6563]

15. dupe

join the dog-pile here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=192662&mesg_id=192662

Looks like there are more savvy anti-Deaners than you after-all. ;-)

Julie

[liberalcapitalist]

18. this is the worst issue on the dem platform

A liberal social agenda calls for personal freedom. Besides, if public education was adequately funded, healthcare was a birthright, and the tax code were fair, it wouldn't matter if everyone owned AK 47's.

[JBirch]

19. 2nd Am. fooferaw

The reason gun control is a "bad issue" is that it is hypocrital to be for "choice" i.e. abortion, but against "choice" when it comes to 1. choosing whether to own a legal firearm or 2. choosing where you want to send your kids to school (vouchers). Either choice is a good thing all the time or a bad thing all the time. As long as politicians choose a hypocritical path they will be perceived as two-faced. You cannot wrap yourselve in the constitution/supreme court with abortion and then "unwrap yourself" on gun control and vouchers without looking like a two-bit political hack.