Tuesday, April 23, 2013
In Gun Bill Defeat, a President’s Distaste for Twisting Arms
The main focus of this article is on President Obama's role in attempting to pass the most recent gun control bill that would expand background checks for people purchasing guns. The article questions how Obama will be able to successfully pass any form of legislation if he was not able to pass the gun control bill that 90% of the public supported. On the other hand, some people on Capitol Hill insisted that President Obama could not have done any more to pass the bill; between dinners, phone calls, and meetings, he discussed the issue with over thirty senators.
The article also alludes to the fact that the rules of interaction between Congress and the president are not what they were fifty years ago. This demonstrates just another example of how our government is constantly changing as it adapts to new regulations.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
While I noticed Obama speaking out publicly in favor of restrictions, I am not sure how much he did behind the scenes. The article does raise questions, and I would hope that Obama did everything in his power to get the law passed. After reading this article, I am not so sure... Regardless, I still am baffled that Congress voted down something over 90% of the public wanted.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising that something that has so much support by the public, won't get passed by congress. I think that Obama, has done a good job at getting the word out and trying to gain support for his bill. If the president wants it and the public wants it, it is up top congress to the make the decision.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sara and find it interesting that although most people would agree on the subject, congress disagrees.
DeleteI think that Obama's reputation as "campaigner in chief" due to his use of public-rally style speeches to try to advocate his causes hurts his effectiveness. Congressmen can easily feel like Obama is trying to ignore their views on the issue and be inflexible by using this strategy. After all, there is no room for negotiations during a speech.
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me that a piece of legislation with so much support from the public and the president did not pass Congress. It will be interesting to see what, if any, bills pass.
ReplyDeleteThat statistic is misleading. Remember our lesson on polling and how it can be misleading? Well that happened right here. That question that was asked about the stricter gun controls was probably something along the lines of "Do you support stricter gun background checks" or something really liberally biased and misleading. Imagine if the people were asked, "Do you think stricter gun control will decrease the gun violence today?" Imagine the response to that, it's definitely NOT 90%. Please tell me the 9/10 people that you know that want stricter gun control. It surely as hell didn't happen around here. In addition, it was more than likely targeted to a liberal population and was projected to generalize the American public. I can GUARANTEE you that most people in the south (who obviously tend to be conservatives/Republicans) did not agree to this poll whatsoever, let alone being ASKED IN THE FIRST PLACE. It's misleading and inaccurate. The statistic is invalid.
ReplyDeleteNote: I posted above response in a response to a different article, but it's pretty accurate and something you should consider before you try and use it in a debate. Kind of like a bias.
I think it is a bit ridiculous on how this was not passed. Even being someone who is around guns and have family members who use them, I still feel that Congress really messed this one up. I feel that Obama is right. I see what Sam is saying, but a good chunk of people really wanted a bill passed which would benefit a lot of people from being harmed (hopefully!) in the future. I really feel like Congress needs to stop being against each other and work for the better of the country.
ReplyDeleteI think that this widely-popular bill wasn't passed in Congress because President Obama rallies the public around a reform in order for it to pass. He campaigns with everything, rather than try to negotiate with Congressmen.
ReplyDeleteI am frustrated by the failure to pass this bill. Personally, I find it irrational to claim that we shouldn't conduct background checks because they wont keep 100% of guns out of the hands of bad guys. Sure it won't completely eliminate the problem but it really can only help to limit the problem
ReplyDeleteI find it ironic that people want to have this passed but it won't pass in congress. I agree with Aubrey that congress needs to stop working against eachother to actually get something done to help our people.
ReplyDeleteCongress should be working to accomplish what the majority of the population wants. Obviously, stricter gun laws is something the public sees as a move in a positive direction.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Obama is focusing too much time on campaigning for the public, and not on Congress? I really can't think of another reason why such a popular bill wasn't passed. It shows a big flaw in our system if what the majority wants isn't getting passed.
ReplyDelete