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Many are questioning why moderator Jim Lehrer did not ask a question related to Second Amendment rights or gun-control during the Oct. 3 debate between President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney, especially since it was the only one of the three scheduled debates devoted exclusively to domestic issues.
Certainly, all interested parties in the gun rights/gun control schism would have appreciated listening to both candidates define their views about a wide range of Second Amendment-related issues, from reinstating the automatic weapons ban to adopting the proposed National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill to making appointments to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court.
Lehrer chose not to ask any questions about gun rights or gun control, opting instead to focus almost exclusively on the campaign’s dominant issue: the economy.
Of course, hysterical demands from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against illegal Guns to ask both candidates one blatantly loaded question probably convinced Lehrer there can be no sane conversation about guns as long as gun-control zealots dominate the discussion.
For weeks before the debate, the Brady Campaign encouraged adherents to sign an online petition at www.wearebetterthanthis.org, demanding Lehrer ask a question their think-tank cleverly crafted.
The petition was linked to an ad produced by Mayors Against Illegal Guns featuring Aurora shooting survivor Stephen Barton imploring debate viewers, “When you watch the presidential debates, ask yourself who has a plan to stop gun violence?”
This crass attempt at subtle manipulation shows — once again — how the Brady Campaign “never lets a tragedy go to waste,” writes Emily Miller in the Washington Times.
The petition demanded Lehrer ask both Obama and Romney this question: “What would you do to address gun violence in America?”
That’s the best they could come up with?
Not surprising that this poser didn’t make Lehrer’s list of good questions.
Too bad, lamented Seattle Gun Rights Examiner Dave Workman.
“Romney’s first and best answer to such a question would be that within 24 hours after taking office, he would order his attorney general to enforce the contempt of Congress citation against Eric Holder,” Workman writes. “And, Romney could add, he would also order his attorney general to fire those responsible for Operation Fast and Furious, and if warranted, pursue criminal charges against them.”
For more, go to:
— MILLER: Bullets and ballots
— First Presidential Debate Has No Time For Gun Violence Policy
— Aurora Victims Push for Questions on Gun Control During Presidential Debate
— Splendid idea: Lehrer lobbied to ask gun control questions
— Brady Campaign Presses Jim Lehrer To Ask About Gun Violence In Presidential Debate