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Subscribe to RSSGarrett Haake on First Read: “Mitt Romney said Wednesday that more restrictive gun laws would likely not have prevented last week's deadly mass shooting at a Colorado Cineplex, and argued that it would take Americans changing their hearts, not their legislation, to prevent similar future attacks.”
The Boston Globe on NBC’s Brian Williams’ interview with Romney: “Mitt Romney, responding to the deadly shooting rampage in Aurora, Colo., asserted Wednesday that the United States does not need stricter gun laws, saying they could not have stopped the killing of a dozen people by a lone gunman at a movie theater.”
The Wall Street Journal: “Mitt Romney rejected the idea that tougher gun laws could have prevented the deadly rampage in Aurora, Colo., saying in an interview Tuesday that a legislative remedy would not thwart people who want to cause harm.”
“Dan Gross -- president of the pro-gun control Brady Campaign -- tells The New Yorker that Governor Romney did more for Brady's cause than President Obama,” GOP 12 writes. But that was then… Nowadays: "Romney has certainly gone further out of his way to pander to the gun lobby during the election.”
“The Telegraph, which refused to identify the speaker, released a statement late Wednesday in which it stood by the accuracy of its story,” the New York Daily News writes. “Romney’s team, which questioned other recent news reports, including a Boston Globe investigation into the candidate’s time at Bain Capital, did not immediately demand a retraction.”
The Hill: “Rough start for Romney foreign trip.”
Charles Krauthammer says the answer to all of Romney’s problems is to show “he’s human”: "Romney has the ultimate edge,” he told FOX. “There's no way the economy will turn around between now and the election day; whereas, it's not inconceivable -- it's likely, actually -- that Romney can change the perception of him as a stiff, stolid, plutocrat who cares nothing. All he has to do is show up in the debates that he's human.... the minute Romney does, he'll win the election." (H/t: GOP 12.)
Sheldon Adelson might meet up with Romney for a fundraiser in Israel.
Actor Robert Duvall will host a fundraiser for Romney Sept. 6 at his home in Virginia. Here’s the invitation, obtained by National Journal.
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Yeah, what else would you expect from a Nutty Rightwing Ass (NRA).
It is clearly demonstrated that states with stricter gun laws have far fewer gun deaths.
There is significant support among republican gun owners for safer gun laws -- but their elected officialdom turns a deaf ear to no matter what.
Eh, there are only 98% of us to be shot through with holes and bumped off. Only about 300,000,000 ordinary people. What does it matter at the end of the day?
Sometimes, I really wonder why it is so hard for common sense to prevail in US ... on so many issues, such as gun control, taxation (general government policy and personal tax returns by Mitt the Zitt), and tea-bagging.
This seems to be the 'talking point' from the TeaPeople, 2nd Amendment crowd. But, just how do they come to that conclusion since there are no new restrictive gun laws?
At least, restrict the amount of ammo that can be bought on line or in person would be a starting point.
Is it unreasonable to check why someone/anyone would purchase 6,000 rounds of ammo?
The NRA strangle hold on the Law Makers needs to be broken.
Mitt Romney is sucking up to the NRA and all the right wing nut jobs who think President Obama is taking their guns away.
If Willard wasn't so inept he would know there is no reason on earth citizen need to be as heavily armed as the military. Mitt is a knee jerk hysterical chicken
From E.J. Dionne today:
"The polls still show considerable support for practical measures to curb gun violence. For example: a 2011 New York Times/CBS News poll found that 63 percent of Americans favor a ban on high-capacity magazines; just as many supported an assault-weapons ban.
The same year, a Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 83 percent supported financing a system in which people treated for mental illness would be reported to a federal gun registry database to prevent them from buying guns; 71 percent favored this for those treated for drug abuse."
Romney pisses off the British by questioning the Olympic preparations. What Romney should have told the British is how to prepare better by milking the taxpayer and then trying to take the credit for the fact that bills got paid.
Beverly in Chicago
what's amzing is that some people actually believe that even though President Obama signed only two gun bills since becoming president. And both were already on the books but just about to expire.
A true statement and it make the left batcrap crazy.
Romney again is Correct and Obamma again is wrong. Same pattern as always.
rukidding47
A true statement and it make the left batcrap crazy.
Romney again is Correct and Obamma again is wrong. Same pattern as always.
You think Mittens makes correct statements??? You are sadly mistaken. Mitt doesn't know what the hell he is talking about unless one of his staff pulls his strings. For instance:
Mitt Romney follows gaffe over Britain's readiness to hold Olympic games by appearing to forget name of Labour leader
Replying to the Labour leader in front of the press, Mr Romney said: "Like you, Mr Leader, I look forward to our conversations this morning ... and recognise, of course, the unique relationship that exists between our nations, our commitment to common values, our commitment to peace in the world and our desire to see a stronger and growing economy."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mr-leader-did-mitt-romney-forget-ed-milibands-name-7978925.html
Do you know how to spell President Obama's name correctly?
Listen people, saying things like "At least, restrict the amount of ammo that can be bought on line or in person would be a starting point" Yeah really, smart people here if he made purchases from different vendors even small purchases over time there is no red flags here! Your statement is like saying lets force everyone to shop at the same store so, we the government can track and record your ever purchase. What Romney is saying is criminals that are intent on their agenda will find a way, this guy he didn't need the guns he could have just blown up the building you people are like sheep keep letting the government take more and more of your civil liberties away. People kill people guns are simply the weapon of choice! Sheep take away one weapon and someone intent on there plan will simply find another. Think before you try to justify taking away other peoples rights simply because you have on at least some level given up yours.
Romney lies. Nobody knows what they will get if they vote for him. He has no credibility whatsoever. Why won't he answer any questions?
Interesting that republicans don't feel this way about the right to vote. In Texas alone over 1.5 million people can't vote due to new voting restrictions to stop maybe 1 or 2 cases of voter fraud, if that many.
So when it comes to voting rights the republicans have no problem taking the rights away from millions of people for no voter fraud, but we can't take the rights away from those who want to kill us with machine guns and 100 round clips as that is their god given gun rights.
If the government has a national data base to control the amount of sudafed any one person can buy no matter what you store you purchase it at, then I think we could figure out a way to track gun and ammo sales.
bayllie
Beverly in Chicago
what's amzing is that some people actually believe that even though President Obama signed only two gun bills since becoming president. And both were already on the books but just about to expire.
bayllie
Those people are being brainwashed.
Amen - I was thinking the exact same thing. I have to show my ID whenever I purchase over the counter Sudafed. Same should be in place for ammo and guns for that matter. No one is saying that you can not have a gun or ammo, but it does help raise the red flag when someone goes to multiple stores or trys to buy a large amount (6,000 rounds)! I am for the second amendment and a Life Member of the NRA.
From what I understand to buy sudafed you need a photo id, but you think this is too high a hurdle to insist on when someone votes?
To answer your question directly - yes. I remember the first elections held in Iraq - all you had to do was show up and vote then dip your finger in the ink. Individuals waiving their fingers at the cameras proud that they were able to vote in a free election.
Why do we have to make is so hard to vote here in the US. Show up vote, dip your finger in ink, so that you can't go to a different polling place - not that that is a major issue any ways.
Thank you! Well said.
Oh come on! Voter fraud is straw man and you know it! Nice try but no cookie for you.
Mr. Romney says it will take Americans changing their hearts to prevent future attacks???
Obama team should jump on such a silly statement .
Judging solely from the number of gun deaths in the US, our hearts must be so much worse than the hearts of people in Great Britain, and the European continent in general.
I'm sure all you conservatives must agree with that. We just have darker hearts than people in Europe. Well, so much for "American exceptionalism."
Or is it just possible that we have more gun deaths than Europe because they have much stricter gun control laws?
Either way, the fact is that, every time I hear someone say this ludicrous sort of thing, it's always said like, "Case closed, debate over." In other words, "I don't want to talk about it."
NEVER, EVER do I hear anyone who talks like this suggest even ONE thing that should be done to change the "hearts" of Americans so that we're more like Great Britain and less like Colombia.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms
Has Obama's massive tax payer debt reached $16 trillion dollars yet .... "LOL"
Americans First-3238795
Republicans's imaginary voter fraud is like the Don Quixote's windmills
Alan, NJ
I don't have a problem with showing ID to vote. In NY you already have to.
The problem is restricting the type of ID used. For the republican states that have changed the laws, why isn't college ID acceptable?
People in this country have been voting for more than 200 years (most of those years without photo ID) Please tell me how many cases of voter fraud have been proved and prosecuted that warrants limiting anyone to vote.
Andie, you want people from all over the world attending US colleges and universities to determine the vote of a US election? If only college ID was required, all of them could.
The rightwing fallacious argumentation is so out-of-control it's like a virus. Romney's argument is since gun laws won't prevent ALL crimes, therefore we shouldn't bother. This very black-and-white dichotomy is a facet of an underlying problem with conservatives, who now reject facts and no longer have any Rule of Reason.
The argument that since raising taxes on the rich won't pay off the debt entirely, therefore why even bother is the main example of this lack of logic. So paying down as much of the debt as we can is not worthwhile, really? Of course fairness and everyone playing by the same rules is the main reason, but seriously?
And one life isn't worth saving. (BTW there were children and a pregnant woman in that theater, but life is not worth protecting unless it's a fetus -- Republicans are the baby killers people.) And a mass murder's rights end where my being...
The uncompromising extremism (supposedly compromise means you have no principles--another dichotomy) is why Romney can't "pivot" to the center, ever. This is why his interviews such as the one with Brian Williams are "word salads" in which he says nothing. Romney is boxed in by the Teapublican Party, and they will all go down together.
Correction: And a mass murder's rights end where my begin... I have a right to go to a movie and not be shot.
Bev in chi.
Yes. It drove you batcrap crazy. My above statement is true and yours not so much.
So he didn't stutter and say um 14times like your BOZO does.
I was in Chicago this month. It is a good place to be from. But not to live. To many wackadoos for me but I see you fit in nicely. The amazing thing was I did not see an abundance of re elect stickers for your guy. But then again I did stay out of the inner part of town.
True Patriot,
Brilliant insights and comment at #1.25,
Thank you.
The headline is wrong. An accurate headline would be "Romney: Changing gun laws won't stop everything." There's a real difference between the two statements.
You all missed the main take away from Brian Williams' interview with Romney. Romney managed to never answer the question or say anything. He's still in favor of both the Mass. assault weapons ban that he signed and the 2nd Amendment. Romney will be our first candidate to simultaneously exist in two alternate universes.
Let's see the Hillary Rosen story ran for weeks, but the MSM can't manage to push the misquote of the Australian foreign minister or the Daily Telgraph story for even 24 hours. FOX has you all out manned and out flanked with "Obama ate paste when he was in school" to drown out any other news. Did you at least check the FOX morning cheat sheet to see what the talking point of the day will be on Limbaugh and Hannity, that was poll tested by Frank Luntz last night?
It was a soft ball interview. Rachael or Lawrence would have nailed Willard.
Which is exactly why he will never give them an interview.
Wm-375815
Well put! I was wondering if anyone would address the fact that Mitt banned assault weapons in Mass but has decided he can't stand up to that for the rest of the country!
romney stated that the guns used were gotten illegally which of course, once again, is not true.
Is 1 in 6 now under Obama now on food stamps true .... "LOL"
It is true.
bigbennie,
What is up with the swoop and poop in every thread? You are the epitome of a grenade troll. BTW...........nobody is laughing at your posts so why not drop the LOL.....it ust makes you look even more foolish
One more point: How does Charles K know that the economy won't turn around? Is it faith, or has he checked with his bookie and he knows that the "fix" is in?
Wm.-375815
One more point: How does Charles K know that the economy won't turn around? Is it faith, or has he checked with his bookie and he knows that the "fix" is in?
Wm.-375815
Krathammer does pull a lot from his soiled diaper; but I think this time Krathammer thinks he is correct because of the recalcitrant T-bagger Republicans and greedy Republicans sitting on nearly 2 trillion dollars of jobs.
Of course this was all a part of the fix to wreck the economy so the Repugs could get into the white House
Obama/Biden 2012
4 more years
Why can't we have laws against the sales of high capacity clips?
phine - because the NRA owns the GOP and they say "no." Doesn't matter how many people get killed by the crazies out there - there will be no limit to those high capacity clips. Sad isn't it that people value votes more than lives.
Obama/Biden 2012
One more point: How does Charles K know that the economy won't turn around? Is it faith, or has he checked with his bookie and he knows that the "fix" is in?
Answer: because Charles K knows Obama will be in office until January 19th and understands that Business will not hire in any dramatic way until they know that the country is not being run by a MARXIST!
It's really that simple. Obama has created the most hostile environment for businesses to operate in in our nations history. Obama has demonized businesses for 3 plus years and now they are just giving him the finger.
Brockton - again with the "MARXIST" stupidity. It show you for what you are - ignorant and lacking integrity.
President Obama will be in office until January 19, 2017. Get used to it!
Obama/Biden 2012
Look at History when the population has been removed from their guns over 50 million dead. Guns protect us from the tyranny of government. When the population is armed they are citizens, when they are disarmed they are slaves.
True
motherland1
Guns protect us from the tyranny of government. When the population is armed they are citizens, when they are disarmed they are slaves.
motherland1,
You are living in the 18th century. I doubt very seriously that Founding Fathers were speaking of assault weapons.
Besides that, those were the days the government that was considered was tyrannical was the British forces.
Does the you Doctor know you're not taking your meds again? Delusional.
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. Subsequently, from 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, deprived of means to defend themselves, were rounded up and killed.
In 1929, the Soviet Union establised gun control. Then, from 1929 to 1953, approximately 20 million dissidents were rounded up and killed.
In 1938 Germany established gun control. From 1939 to 1945 over 13 million Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, mentally ill, union leaders, Catholics and others, unable to fire a shot in protest, were rounded up and killed.
In 1935, China established gun control. Subsequently between 1948 and 1952 over 20 million dissidents were rounded up and killed.
In 1956 Cambodia enshrined gun control In just to years (1975 – 1977) over one million 'educated' people were rounded up and killed.
In 1964 Guatemala locked in gun control. From 1964 to 1981 over 100,000 Mayan Indians were rounded up and killed as a result of thier inability to defend themselves.
In 1970 Uganda embraced gun control. Over the next nine years over 300,000 Christians were rounded up and killed.
Over 56 million people have died because of gun control in the last century
We are NOT confused about Gun Control...
We're referring to AK 47's and massive assault weapons.
Are you trying to impress upon us that an "The AK-47 selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle in the hands of your bizarre neighbor next door is OK with you? Or are YOU that neighbor?
Who knew assault weapons have been around since the beginning of the 20th century!....1911 WOW!
Nope. They died because the lunatic fringe got in control and used guns to maintain that control. Those 56 million died because of guns not the lack of them.
Hi devie
I left you a note yesterday thanking you for your concern about my grandson. I don't know if you saw it.
In early-day motion (EDM) signed by 11 MPs last week demanded the bank and its directors stop working to bolster Mr Romney’s election campaign and concentrate on repairing confidence in the banking system.
Barclays told to stop fundraising for Mitt Romney
Barclays has been accused of fundraising for political candidates instead of working to rebuild the public's trust in banks following the Libor-setting scandal.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/9428249/Barclays-told-to-stop-fundraising-for-Mitt-Romney.html
==============================================
Simply put, Mitt is untrustworthy. The Brits see it. Why can't the right on this board see his stances are only to further his campaign contributions? Mitt is not going to say anything about gun control that would jeopardize funding from the NRA. In fact, Mitt's statements mirrors the NRA.
Sure did Bev. Glad to hear he is doing fine.
What this liberals will not tell you, is that there are 35 countries in the world that have higher murder per capita rates that we do, and the majority of them have much stricter gun control.
And then there are the other countries that outnumber those 35 where the murder rate is lower than the US and the majority of those also have stricter gun control. Selective reporting at its worst.
Are those countries 3rd world? or 1st world? A source is needed for you argument.
Gee....didn't o'bummer say sorta like, we shouldn't use this to change gun laws? Look within.
Gee... Aren't laws suppose to orginate in Congress? Isn't it the President job to enforce them? Gee whiz...
I am a gun owner, have rifles, shot-guns, pistols. Go to the gun range and shoot targets, clay pigeons, and have them for home self-defense.
Why in the world would anyone need assault weapons?
Dragon-1573721
I am a gun owner, have rifles, shot-guns, pistols. Go to the gun range and shoot targets, clay pigeons, and have them for home self-defense.
Why in the world would anyone need assault weapons?
Please send the NRA a letter telling them this, for some reason they think every gun owner wants and needs a assault weapons.
I am not a gun owner, but grew up in a house where my father, grand father had guns, my uncle was a policemen and had many guns but NO assault weapon. they taught me how to shoot shot guns, and i made sure my son knew how to handle guns, but again i can't imagine a AK-47 or M16.
these are ment to kill many people at one time.
i don't think the second amendment was written for assault weapons.
Mitt signed a assault weapond ban while governor, now once again he is backing away from policys he believed in while governor.
Its not the fact that the government (again) wants to tell the citizenry what we can or cant have.
The problem most conservatives have is that this opens up Pandora's Box.
If the citizens of this country "allow" the government to tell us what kind of weapons we are allowed to carry what will happen next?
Anyone?
Oh..... the government (in their unquenchable thirst for more and more control over us -- R and D) will then move to make all weapons illegal.
And another point.... Are you liberals ACTUALLY trying to tell us that had assault weapons were illegal prior to this wacko shot up the movie theater, he would have all of a sudden said "Well I guess I better not go shoot up the theater because I may get in trouble for having an illegal weapon?
You guys seriously can not be that stupid....Well maybe you are
Larry, Minot, N.D.
And another point.... Are you liberals ACTUALLY trying to tell us that had assault weapons were illegal prior to this wacko shot up the movie theater, he would have all of a sudden said "Well I guess I better not go shoot up the theater because I may get in trouble for having an illegal weapon?
You guys seriously can not be that stupid....Well maybe you are
No larry what AMERICANS are saying is that had there been a ban assault weapons just maybe he would not have had the dam thing in the first place.
Ok this is what americans are saying.
Larry, Why do you keep referring to all comments you do not like as Liberals?
Larry - no idiot. But there is a good possibility fewer people would have been shot. Fewer people would have died.
could the shooter still have gotten an assault rifle to carry out the crime if assault weapons were illegal? yes. However, he woudln't have been able to walk into the corner pawn shop and walk out of there with one. he'd have to have gone to the black market to get it, woudln't have been able to stockpile 3000 rounds for it through internet purchases, and might have been caught trying to procure the weapon through dilligent police enforcement of the assault weapon ban.
If the government can make drugs illegal for the 'safety' of their citizenry, why can't they make assault weapons and high ammunition count magazines illegal for the safety of the populous?
With our volunteer military, there is little fear of the types of situations that would predicate the need for the average citizen to have assault weapons (my view would be different if i lived in pakistan, iraq, or afghanistan, but in the US there isn't anything to fear from teh average US soldier), and therefore the argument you make to determine there is a need for this type of weapon falls flat and has no value.
"New gun laws won't change anything!" Mitt, do you want to bet $10,000.00 that it will indeed change things?
Our Aurora dude would NOT have gotten semiautomatic assault weapons from his local gun shop if it WERE ILLEGAL!
Mr. Candidate, tell me exactly what gun weapons are "illegal" in the whole U.S.A.?
Guns are not the weapons to kill, it's the mind of a person that kills.
The point is, the range these weapons have makes it very difficult or impossible for an innocent or many innocent citizens to escape from.
The problem is the gun laws restrict innocent people from using them against bad guys, but it allows criminals and mentally ill people acquire and use guns easily.
To even suggest opposing our second amendment rights reveals that one is a traitor to this country. The people are to have guns before the government. And if the people are allowed and encouraged to defend themselves, it will serve as a derrent to those who are apt to try to impose their ill intent and force upon others, including our own government.
see my post 13.4. Your argument has no value when the average US soldier would face a court marshall before turning their weapons on US citizens.
Truth Syr - no, it's true YOU don't have a clue about anything!
By November the NRA will be in the fight of it's life!
If you kill someone, it is not your fault, it's the guns. If you're successful it is not your accomplishment, society made you successful. Democrats believe you are not responsible for your own actions. This is their philosophy in a nut shell. EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY! DON"T KEEP SCORE, DON'T GRADE WORK! We are all equal so we should all be the same (except those of use who already are rich, who will rule you serfs). Democrats need to wake up and realize that voting "D" is not what it used to be, your party has been taken over by Communists and Socialists.
Actually motherland1, I kinda agree with you.
If laws against prostitution won't stop it, why have any..
If laws against illegal drugs won't stop it, why have any...
If laws against murder won't stop it why have any.
But really, we have to do something about making it so easy to kill so many people so quickly. Do you not agree with that?
Silly progressives I know you feel like you need to do something but be cautioned.
There are two types of people, those with guns and those without.
We have firearms to enforce our agenda. What are you going to use to enforce yours?
I see lots of talk here from both sides about a bunch of stuff, but very little discussion of the few things that appear to be just simple facts, and not subject to spin.
The first simple fact is this - laws are pretty much only observed by those who follow laws. Essentially, the only serious result of increasing gun control laws will be to make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain firearms. I fail in all ways to see how this would represent an improvement.
The second simple fact is this - depite the ongoing attempts by some on this thread to lump all gun owners and republicans in with the NRA, that is at best a distortion, and at worst an outright lie. Not all gun owners are members, and not all republicans are beholden to the NRA. To suggest that those things are true is the same, logically, as claiming that all people who support green energy are screamingly liberal tree hugging extremists - an equally false premise.
There seems to be a contingent of people who equate gun possession with an inevitable criminal or less than sane person. While it is true that a small number of people who have guns are insane by any "normal" measure, it is also true that even those people are by and large law abiding.
The obvious question about gun control seems to be this, at least in its current incarnation. Why should the actions of one madman redefine the laws for the other 312 million people in this country? By that logic, one person killng another person with a knife would result in a set of knife possession laws, for every person in this country.
Why do you apply that logic to only gun control but nothing else?
Frank -
The question at hand is gun control laws, and I spoke about that topic specifically.
To assume that I apply that logic to only one topic is not correct.
270,000,000 guns in the US of A, approx. equals 40,000 gun deaths annually (approx. 17,000 are suicide)
661,400 doctors/surgens equals 195,000 annual hospital deaths from medical errors.
One out of every 4 doctors is a killer.
1 gun in 640 is a killer(throw out the suicides its 1 in 1174)
A 25% chance of dying with your doctor? Ban the doctors not the guns
Entire article is wasted print space and not news. Who cares about Romney or the Olympics...I don't. I care not what the a Mormon Moron says or thinks because he is nothing to me.
"It is clearly demonstrated that states with stricter gun laws have far fewer gun deaths.
There is significant support among republican gun owners for safer gun laws -- but their elected officialdom turns a deaf ear to no matter what.
Eh, there are only 98% of us to be shot through with holes and bumped off. Only about 300,000,000 ordinary people. What does it matter at the end of the day?"
Tell Rahm Emanuel. What's the murder rate in Chicago? What a stupid statement, Backhouse. Maybe they're using spoons to kill people there.
See Romney the ROBME IN CHIEF is disgracing the US on his tax free travels to europe. The draft dodger in Chief is bringing shame to the United States with his constant ME ME ME the expert hiding his money in foriegn countries while dodging taxes of this country he thinks is dumb enough to vote for him. He has /is making a bigger fool of himself than anybody trying to run for office in my 82 yrs. Hope he keeps it up and breaks the GOP bank. Most Americans are not happy with President Obama but there isn't any chance that ROBME can come close in the upcoming election.
ah dun noe wat i hatew morr; ie8, or u stupit demo-krap 4 brains?! boff! snd s da prez. he bees takin lik dis wen der aint any white peoples aroun u noe?! anyways; dis asghole has a twisted sister way of dinkin, he believed dat he was protekin himsef frum da biggie bro in da hoodies. an hes rite!! but he dooo da rong peoples. so hang da phoucker an be dumns wit it., an move on to da next @!$%#!? wat isds da jerk dat shot da kongreswurman doin now? hang hit asstoos. or beter yet,snds dem dun 2 gitmo! u noe da plak dat da prez was gona cloze?? da blkdikhed. da prez snds.