Challengers Who Championed Gun Violence Prevention Elected to Maryland Sen

[Omaha Steve]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=72312

Challengers Who Championed Gun Violence Prevention Elected to Maryland Senate, Says Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

9/13/2006 11:30:00 AM

To: National Desk

Contact: Peter Hamm of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 202-898-0792

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Two "comeback kids" who championed gun violence prevention upset both the conventional wisdom and established opponents in Maryland yesterday.

Incumbent Maryland State Senator John Giannetti was unseated by his Democratic primary opponent, former ambassador Jim Rosapepe, who pounded Giannetti for killing the state's assault rifle ban in a prior session of the legislature. And in an open race for another State Senate seat in Maryland, newcomer candidate Mike Lenett won easily over established state legislators by stressing his support from Sarah Brady. The two candidates were endorsed by both the Brady Campaign and CeaseFire Maryland, Inc.

"I couldn't have won this race without the help of Sarah and Jim Brady and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence," Rosapepe said. "I'm glad the people of the 21st District support my efforts to get assault weapons off Maryland streets once and for all."

The Brady Campaign and CeaseFire Maryland, Inc. worked on behalf of both candidates through hard-hitting email campaigns, press events, endorsements, contributions, direct mail and automated phone calls from Sarah Brady.

FULL story at link above.

[iverglas]

1. oh dear, they seem to have missed the memo

Sarah Brady and her horrible cast of suppoting characters are Republicans.

If these Democrats had just got it straight in their heads before doing something as dumb as running on a firearms violence prevention platform ... well just imagine how much bigger and better they would have won those elections.

Firearms control; it killed Gore, it is killing the Democratic Party nationally, and now it's ... uh ... well, gosh, I'm confused ...


Now, for those who prefer facts to demagoguery: Sarah Brady's recent political campaign contributions can be seen here (presumably excluding those in the just-ended race) --
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_result.php?first=SARAH&last=BRADY&st=

At the federal level: Joseph Biden, Edward Kennedy (back to 1995, under "Virginia"), and a Republican named Michael Castle who strongly supports firearms control measures advocated by Brady.

Congratulations to Maryland Democrats. Things sure are a little different from how they were a while back ...

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Spiro_Agnew.htm

Spiro T. Agnew, 39th Vice President (1969-1973)

A bitter split in the Democratic party helped make him the first Republican elected Baltimore County executive in the twentieth century. In office he established a relatively progressive record, and in 1966, when nominated as the Republican candidate for governor of Maryland, Agnew positioned himself to the left of his Democratic challenger, George Mahoney. An arch segregationist (and raving gun nut running on the raving gun nut motto - ed.), Mahoney adopted the campaign slogan, "Your Home Is Your Castle—Protect It," which only drove liberal Democrats into Agnew's camp. Charging Mahoney with racial bigotry, Agnew captured the liberal suburbs around Washington and was elected governor.

[DaveinMD]

2. you don't know these districts very well

Gun control is very popular. I was Mike's campaign consultant and the Brady endorsement made a huge difference.

[benEzra]

3. Ah, a ban-more-guns-lobby press release...

wonder if that's an unbiased source.

Here's what Mr. Rosapepe said about the win:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-arassembly0913,0,7848521.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

"I think people are looking for change," Rosapepe said.

He called the election a referendum on electricity deregulation: "He was a supporter, I was an opponent."

Mr. Rosapepe's advocacy of banning civilian rifles with handgrips that stick out has nothing to do with "gun violence prevention", since all rifles COMBINED accounted for only 2 homicides out of 520 in 2004: http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius_04/offenses_reported/offense_tabulations/table_20-22.html

It has been said that a "fanatic" is one who redoubles his efforts after having lost sight of his goals. By that definition, the Bradyites are fanatics. Modern-looking rifles aren't a crime problem and never have been.

[AnnieBW]

4. I'm in Rosapepe's District

While I couldn't volunteer for the campaign (I'm a Fed covered under the stricter Hatch Act rules), my husband and I were supporters of his. While we're having some trouble with crime, including a bank robbery with an assault rifle recently, Rosapepe's victory had very little to do with guns. It was more about electricity deregulation - which the incumbent DINO Gianetti voted for - and State funding of embryonic stem cell research, which Gianetti voted against. Not to mention the fact that Gianetti was being a childish jerk, was asinine to Rosapepe in their TV debate, had tailgate parties at UMD football games where he was giving alcohol to minors, his wife was busted for DUI, and had the support of the tobacco and slot machine lobbies. But what took the cake for a lot of people was the sign cutting. Just before Labor Day, all of Rosapepe's campaign signs were cut or otherwise damaged. Strangely enough, Gianetti signs positioned next to them were unharmed. Hmm...

Basically, it was a choice between a hard-charger who likes to get his name in the paper, and a coalition-building insider who was on the House Ways and Means Committee. BTW, Rosapepe won, 60% to 38%. Don't tell me that it was all about guns.

[DaveinMD]

5. well

as Mike Lenett's campaign consultant I can tell you that the Brady endorsement played a big role. Mike helped to pass the Brady Bill and we played that up on all of our mail.

[AnnieBW]

6. Congrats To You and Mike!

Hey... whatever works for your area. Congrats! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and Mike! :toast:

[DaveinMD]

7. thanks

It was a great victory for us. People here would like Mike. He's a very strong progressive Democrat.

As far as your district, I think Giannetti was just out of touch politcally there.

[Romulus]

8. too bad for Delegate Neil Quinter

You know, the guy who pushed a so-called "assault weapons ban" in the MD legislature every year for the last four years?

He didn't make through his re-election primary (District 13/Howard County/Columbia).

Maybe he lost BECAUSE of his support for gun control?

[DaveinMD]

9. he lost because of inner party poliitics

he announced a run for Congress. That didn't go anywhere because the area he represents was a very small part of the congressional district. So he dropped back down to delegate. However, while he was running for Congress the guy who was going to run for County Executive, decided to run for the delegate seat and he was put on the slate. That made things nearly impossible for Quinter. His district is VERY pro gun control as are all the other Dems who won. So nice try.