House Democrats’ gun-bill protest was ‘worth it,’ (Iowa)

[jpak]

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/03/01/house-democrats-gun-bill-protest-was-worth-it-leader-says-both-parties-ready-to-move-on/

The House’s Democratic leader on Thursday defended a protest that delayed passage of two gun measures on Wednesday, describing it as an effort to publicize a controversial issue and demand the Republican majority to bargain in good faith with the Democratic minority.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said the walkout – in which all 40 House Democrats left the Capitol for about six hours rather than debate self-defense and gun rights legislation – was prompted by Republicans reneging on a deal over what bills would be considered this week.

Democrats were told the gun bills wouldn’t come up on Wednesday, and thus left unprepared when they were appeared on the docket that morning, he said.

In addition to telegraphing that procedural frustration, McCarthy said during a press conference Thursday, the delay brought far more attention to the substance of the bills, which ultimately passed Wednesday evening on mostly party-line votes.

<more>

the backlash begins

yup

[shadowrider]

1. The backlash begins

-- snort --

You really are good for a laugh a day.

[blue neen]

10. I wonder why you continue to post your "special definition" of gun control.

If anyone came into this forum and posted uneducated generalized statements such as the one you are making about rape, you'd be incensed.

The fact is this: Guns would protect some people from assault in certain instances, in other instances, they would be useless.

Your rape pantyhose analogy is misinformed, insensitive, and offensive. You are showing a lack of knowledge about how most assaults and rapes on women occur.

Having legitimate discussions about gun control and providing education for such is fine...painting an incorrect and inappropriate picture to try to prove your point is not fine.

[shadowrider]

12. It's about a female having the ability and right to defend herself

from many situations up to and including rape. Many posters here would deny her that right in a heartbeat.

I'm sorry about your situation, but I've walked in those shoes. My middle daughter had an experience like that. She now carries as do all my daughters. It won't happen to her again.

[DonP]

2. Let me see if I get this straight?

They walked out because the GOP cocked around with the bill review schedule.

"... the delay brought far more attention to the substance of the bills, which ultimately passed Wednesday evening."

Then, after all that attention to the "substance of the bills", they came back and the bill passed anyway?

That's the backlash?

Did I miss something here, or is this just another jpak "rip and post" where nothing really happened?

[shadowrider]

4. That's about it. What matters is perception, not truth

[rl6214]

3. Delayed= I'm going to run away or stick my fingers in my ears and go la, la, la, la, la

"the delay brought far more attention to the substance of the bills, which ultimately passed Wednesday evening"

Yup, lot's of backlash...IT PASSED

yup

yup

yup

[burf]

5. I can't take it anymore!!!!!!!!

Excuse me while I go get some beer. Maybe then it'll make sense.

[GreenStormCloud]

6. No, it wasn't worth it.

A huge amount of political capital was just spent on a defeat. That is almost always a disaster for the party that gets defeated.

Further, by grandstanding the Iowa Democratic party brought attention to the issue and further cemented the Democrats as the party of gun control and as soft on crime. In Iowa those are positions that are big time losers.

[PavePusher]

7. If any group of elected legislaters "walks out" on their sworn and assigned duties like that....

no matter which political bent they are, the entire house should be publicly flogged on the steps of the state capitol building.

I'm about fed up with fucktard tantrums from supposed adults and I don't care what letter comes after their fucking names.

[petronius]

9. I don't agree - if the story is as McCarthy described, I'd say a walkout was justified

It takes time to prepare to have a meaningful debate on any topic, so if an agreement - however informal - on the schedule was reached then D members may not yet have taken that time. If Rs messed with the schedule (as a tactic, a prank, or just to be dicks) then it would be appropriate to walk out until everyone was ready, or until the agreed-on time had arrived.

Of course, if you want to flog that House Speaker for wasting the people's time with childish antics, I'll be happy to hold your coat...

[Oneka]

8. "which ultimately passed Wednesday evening on mostly party-line votes. "

Seriously, is that all the backlash that can be mustered?

MORE PLEASE!!!!

[aikoaiko]

11. This is the backlash you speak of?

Gun restrictionists really are desperate for victories I suppose.