#StopGunViolence

“It’s not where you do it, it’s what you do.”

With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.

He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”

The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”

Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”

The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.

Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.


Source of the president's speech: Washington Post


For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.

Winning, Losing

At this time in 2008, the Obama campaign was surging, Wall Street was in crisis, and the McCain/Palin campaign was desperately attacking Obama's character and personal contacts ("palling around with terrorists"). It was beginning to look like the end for McCain.

Today, Mitt Romney is hoping to move up in the polls after a strong debate performance against an inexplicably "passive, distracted" Barack Obama on Wednesday night. But Nate Silver's Five Thirty Eight forecast still shows Obama with a strong lead in the electoral vote and an 87% chance of winning.

Debate No. 1: Change v. Maverick

Jim Lehrer moderated the first 2008 presidential debate, held on September 26. While intended to cover national security and foreign affairs, the U.S. financial crisis weighed heavily during the opening questions. Lehrer's attempt to encourage eye contact during the opening was somewhat futile.

Senator McCain hammered Senator Obama on earmarks and pork barrel spending. Obama chastised McCain's complicity during an orgy of spending under President Bush. "You voted for almost all of his budgets. To stand here and say that after eight years you're going to lead on controlling spending and balancing our tax cuts for middle-class families ... it's kind of hard to swallow."

On foreign policy, McCain cited his reputation as a maverick, particularly when it came to banning torture. McCain touted his many foreign travels and relationship with foreign leaders, and claimed Obama's views on foreign policy to be naive.

Obama challenged McCain's effectiveness. "Over the last eight years, this administration, along with Senator McCain, has been solely focused on Iraq. That has been their priority. That is where all their resources have gone. In the meantime, Osama bin Laden is still out there. He is not captured. He is not killed. Al Qaeda is resurgent."

By 12:22 a.m. on September 27, MTV News published a comprehensive debate report on their website. Spirited commentary ensued.