Obama on Board That Funded Handgun Bans
By SusanUnPC on April 20, 2008 at 12:41 AM in Barack Obama, Joyce Foundation, Second Amendment, William Ayers
For eight years, Barack Obama sat on the board of Chicago’s Joyce Foundation — earning $70,000 in compensation — an influential board that “funneled almost $3 million in grants to political groups opposing gun rights,” according to Politico.com reporter Kenneth Vogel.
Barack Obama’s presidential campaign has worked to assure uneasy gun owners that he believes the Constitution protects their rights and that he doesn’t want to take away their guns.
As Jerlyn at TalkLeft points out, “At Wednesday’s debate, Barack Obama wouldn’t say what his position is on the DC law banning handguns.” She notes that Obama “dodged, saying he wasn’t familiar with the facts of the case.” She asks:
Why didn’t Obama answer the question at the debate instead of weaving and bobbing? Was it because he didn’t want to alienate PA voters, many of whom favor strong gun ownership rights? And, did he fail to tell the truth?
Jeralyn affirms that in November, “his campaign told the Chicago Tribune he supported the ban. (Chicago Tribune November 20, 2007.)” So which is it, Sen. Obama? You can’t have it both ways.
Obama’s efforts to woo gun owners in states like Pennsylvania may be further damaged when gun owners and gun rights groups learn of Obama’s long association with the Joyce Foundation, which “doled out at least nine grants totaling nearly $2.7 million to groups that advocated the opposite positions.”
This is the second board position about which voters have become aware, the first the Woods Fund, a board he sat on with former Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers.
LaBolt [a campaign spokesperson] said Obama, an Illinois senator, “does not remember each of the over 1,500 individual grant requests and his assessment of their merits, but he considered all requests in light of the foundation’s goal of developing a robust public dialogue around reducing gun violence.”
Voters need to learn more about Obama’s association with liberal boards that voters outside large cities may question. Reports Politico:
Obama’s service on the board of the Joyce Foundation and a few other Chicago-based nonprofits including the Woods Fund of Chicago remains one of the least scrutinized parts of his career. But it’s one that could hamper his efforts to woo populations of rural pro-gun voters in Pennsylvania, which votes April 22, and in a general election match-up with the presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain.
In his appeal to gun owners, Obama has not emphasized his own legislative record, which includes supporting a ban on semiautomatic weapons and concealed weapons, and a limit on handgun purchases to one a month. He has blamed his staff for indicating on a questionnaire filled out during his 1996 state Senate bid under his name that he supports banning “the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.”
Obama, who taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago and served as president of the Harvard Law Review, has instead focused on his respect for what he contends are constitutionally guaranteed gun owners’ rights, the “passion” of hunters and the “tradition” of handgun ownership.
Many pundits have criticized Obama’s vague, confusing answers to questions about gun ownership and rights during last Wednesday’s debate.
One blogger summed up Obama’s performance this way:
By the time Gibson got around to the issues, Obama looked lost and upset. It got worse when Gibson asked about capital-gains tax rates, which Obama has pledged to raise. When Gibson repeatedly pointed out that decreasing the rates actually increased the revenues, Obama simply couldn’t come up with an answer, stammering while trying to change the subject. On guns, both Hillary and Obama stumbled through tortured explanations of how they support a Constitutional right for individuals to own guns while backing gun bans like the one in DC.
The winner of this debate? John McCain. Both Democrats came out of this diminished, but Obama got destroyed in this exchange. If superdelegates had begun to reconsider their support of Obama after Crackerquiddick, they’re speed-dialing Hillary after watching Gibson dismember Obama on national TV tonight.
Here is ABC News’s transcript of the debate, and here is the video of the portion of the debate on gun rights and the Second Amendment:
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By Sarah Palin (Release date: November 17. 2009)
Crackerquiddick…Thats a good One..
I don’t trust Obama on Gun Rights..and anything is possible when the Patriot Act, marshal Law and Executive orders kick in..
When Guns are Outlawed…Only outlaws will have Guns
Law abiding Sportsmen and Sports shooters far outnumber the outlaws..and thats the way it should be..Our Founding Fathers knew what they were doing..
or We would never have obtained Our LIBERTY..or held on to it..The world is geting more Militant all the time..Our national Guard is overseas fighting a Never ending War..and legitimate gunowners and Sportsmen really are the Homeland Security now..
I don’t trust Obama..Take all those AK 47s away from the Gang Bangers Obama..if you want to do something good for America..By now, I’m sure you have realized that America and White folks, aren”t as bad as you were always taught to believe..I think you are Betraying the Peoples Trust, personally..
In a Pittsburg Tribune article a few weeks Obama came out against allowing states to issue Carrying Concealed Weapons permits for citizens. This will go over like a lead balloon in states like Oregon, Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc that allow civilians to obtain such permits.
Then add in the Joyce Foundation to the mix and Obama becomes another “gun grabber” and fresh meat for the GOP attack machine.
The man is truly a idiot of the lowest order.
Do you remember Eddie Murphy doing Jessie Jackson running for president. “He wont stand still”. Barry may be very afraid of guns.
And don’t forget Michelle “Barry can get shot pumping gas”.
And bullets bounce off white skin. That pissed me off.
I can get raped on the way to my car at night. Does that makes us “even?”
That is true…In Texas they will never change the law after the Libby Cafeteria massacre……
Obviously Howie Dean wants to lose. Add to the mix Donna Brazile — I still don’t understand how she managed to become so powerful.
No real candidate in her or her right mind would hire DB.
So this practically UNKNOWN guy who happens to be black, give a speech at the 04 Dem convention — which really was NOT that outstanding as far as speeches go.
So this fine speechie type guy who can read a teleprompter is tagged to be it — with no vetting — no checking for unelectable associations??????? Well I can tell you that the Republicans were indeed vetting Obama — they probably have all the details we are just NOW hearing about.
I’d like to know what else is hidden behind that door.
Of CORSE you can have it bothways…when you’re the precious! THANK GAWD they didn’t press about this in the debate or there would be mobs at ABC demanding they hand over the two moderaters for a good ol LYNCHIN!
No one in November “hires” a Democratic candidate for their stance on guns for goodness sake …
Just another example of how he intended to use “Democrat for a Day,” and being a Pander Bear, thought that he might fool some of the sex bigots who are looking for an excuse not to vote for Hillary.
Obama wants to hell all those hicks not cling to their guns.
What does “to hell” mean? I’m unfamiliar with the verb.
“To tell?”
Let’s face it, Barack Obama couldn’t answer that brazen lie by Charlie Gibson about capital gains taxes “increasing revenues,” because Obama just didn’t know about the issue.
And, on the gun issue, like EVERY OTHER ISSUE, Obama is trying to have it both ways.
Well, fine; but, like on the Health Care issue, when he spoke at the forum a year ago, and admitted that he didn’t have his health care policy formulated clearly yet, the point is clear:
Barack Obama doesn’t know what he’s talking about on anything because he doesn’t have enough experience to know.
A person can be intelligent, and talented and have the skill to sway the masses with brilliant speeches. But that isn’t what this country needs right now. What we need is a CinC, a policy wonk, and a technocrat who can undo the devastation of the past 8 years. Seriously, I cannot believe that the Democratic Party actually thinks this neophyte with a skill for giving speeches is qualified to represent this party or this nation. It’s patently breathtaking that Democrats could be so incredibly and blatantly STUPID.
And, just so ya know: Capital gains tax cuts don’t increase revenues, according to the CBPP.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Responds:
Contrary to misleading claims from Wednesday night’s presidential debate, capital gains tax cuts lose revenue over the long run. That’s the conclusion of the federal government’s official revenue-estimating agencies, as well as outside experts and the Bush Administration’s own Treasury Department.
http://www.cbpp.org/policy-points4-18-08.htm
And, one more thing, while I’m ranting on the subject: Barack Obama will have to pry my concealed carry permit and my Smith & Wesson handgun from my cold, dead hands.
I have to say that Clinton clearly has the upper hand on this one…Wonky pays off…
Ok you just said something that I want to expand on………. BHO having a habit of riding both sides of some issues or all those “empty” votes in Illinois.
I’m beginning to think it’s because he’s used to NOT DOING the hard work of studying an issue.
Dammit too that we can’t plug that issue (cuz I think in fact he is lazy, he’s showing he can’t keep up with Hillary campaigning)
but Hillary makes ONE bad (4 America) decision along with many other of her colleagues and she’ll be branded with that forever, unfortunately! grr :-/
How is it that JwussKerry can get away with making the same bad decision and still be heralded for endorsing Odrama?
TICKS me OFF!
Sam Donaldson on this weeks ABC George told OBAMACONS TO GROW UP…
I was laughin so hard….Also George ( I personally hate this guy ) Wll actually said he did’nt think the lil Prince could win the GE. BTW Cokie Roberts is sooooo jealous of HRC…I think she’s actin out major unresolved highschool stuff here……LOL
The overall campaign stategy for Obama is simple, go to your local vatiety store and find the $5 bag of prize goodies and buy one! The bag is full of great stuff, can’t tell you what it is inside, but it is great, kids love what is inside, so buy one!
So you buy one and it is filled with what to you is a bunch of useless junk! Now kids in poor countries will love the junk, so why don’t you, you can’t get your money back after opening the loot bag!
Vote for an empty suit and you get what you bargained for!
Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania’s Senator for Obama, was on Lou Dobbs this week last night. Here’s the exchange between Lou and Bobby Boy:
Well now, what have we here? A tinge of honesty from Bob “he doesn’t take money from lobbyists” Casey. This still doesn’t change my mind about Casey. He was the “Not Santorum” candidate here in Pa. and now we’re stuck with the little twerp.
Susan, thanks for the link to CNN transcripts. Thanks for the heads up on Casey’s remarks from Jeralyn at TalkLeft.com.
Ah, the good old right-wing sources. Check the “Crackerquiddick” link, from the blog “American Power, which is
Neat! I’m sorry, did you say Obama was co-opting right -wing talking points?
He’s running George W. Bush’s campaign — is that right-wing enough for you? Too bad for him he flubbed the gun control line. Was his teleprompter broken? Or his ear-piece not working?
Bob “I won because I wasn’t Rick Santorum” is a riot isn’t he?
This just in by MSN: Obama goes into a rage on flight last evering!
Apparently the DNP place a survey call to the candidates asking: Will you support whomever is the Party’s nominee?”
For yes Press 1
For no press 2
Obama was outraged wasting 90 minutes of airtime on his cell phone waiting for the number “For Present” costing him the money for placing another false ad in Pennsylvania!
LOL my point exactly!!! LOL!
Obama is robo calling in Pennsylvania (Erie County) telling everyone that Hillary can’t be trusted on the gun issue.
Everyday he goes out and tells his crowds that Hillary is not trustworthy, she can’t be believed. And you wonder why her “trustworthiness” in the polls is so low. I hate this guy and his Chicago politics. He is a stinkin pig.
I read a piece where people in PA were complaining about seeing his ads every twi minutes on TV.
He’s a real troll isn’t he? Master of negative campaigning while pretending he isn’t. Leland Gaunt handing out Needful Things.
That really should be backfiring on him.
I consider myself a “typical tv viewer” and I HATE HATE HATE commercials PERIOD but when they are the same ones over and over I get hostile! LOL
I think the point where people finally connect with him trying to BUY THEIR VOTE buy shoving himself down their THROAT will make quite a few throw UP!
does me - just sayin :-]
I should add
thank the GODS(ess) for remote control
can you say “MUTE”
This just in: Senator Obama’s plane was suppose to land in Pittsburgh this morning, but ended up making an emegency landing in Allenstown PA. When questioning Sentor Obama’s Flight Captain, a seasoned 25 year Pilot, his response was “well I was suppose to push the green button, but I accidently pushed the yellow one!”
When asking Senator Obama about the pilots error, he responded with “I know the pilot only on a casual basis over the past few years and my association with him and what he has done in the past nor my association with him has no bearing on whether people get affordable health care, relief of taxes and don’t lose their homes, thank you!”
All the reporters were standing around with puzzled looks on their faces and Obama’s aide whispered to Obama “you better say something, or this will be trouble” so Obama then stated “I forgot to mention, and let me be perfectly clear on this matter, it was Senator Clinton’s negative attacks that caused this problem, thank you and now I need a smoke!”
I quit smoking in 1984. I remember being a mess for a couple weeks, mean and grumpy for about a friggen YEAR DUDE!!
I keep forgetting about that little factoid of Odrama’s new existence! I wonder if he’s got the patch?
He needs a few years away from the nicotine (seriously)
just like W and his Alcohol (of which I don’t think he ever got away from)
maybe O will start smoking again ya think?
correction: that was 1994 (doh)
That guys plasteredwith patches…LOL
News alert: Senator Obama making a stop over in North Carolina yesterday to speak a pivotal group of supporters “Black Youths for Better Government” in a 15,000 seat auditorium, Obama took the stage with his usual big brimming smile and suddenly his face took a turn of utter shock as he exited the stage!
A reporter sitting close by heard Obama yelling on the phone to David Axelrod saying “I am here in NC to talk to the Black Youths for Better America” and the place is filled with white folks with hoods on, there are only a handfull of Blacks in the crowd looking scared as can be, WTF David?
Obama had his speaker on and could hear Axelrod screaming back, oh shit, someone track down our buses of Black supporters and have them stop immediately, some idiot messed up and sent the stacking KKK’s to NC and sent the stacking Blacks to the KKK rally in West Virginia” then Axelrod told Obama go out there and talk about Unity, that’ll fix them and then get out of town!
Evening news report: Breaking news from West Virginia, at a KKK rally today, 15 busloads of Black youths were beaten senseless and are in hospital after attacks at an Obama campaign rally about Unity! After speaking to one of the youths with blood running down his face, he said this isn’t worth a f*cking refurbished Ipod!
Uh, Mel. Maybe you could do a little research before your next joke. West Virginia is a very unlikely place for a klan meeting.
O-Oh
B-Boy
A-Another
M-Miatake
A-Again
O-Oh
B-Boy
A-Another
M-Mistake
A-Again
M–Media
S–Selects
N–Nominee
B–Before
C–Country
MSWrongNBC
make 250 calls today on behalf of clinton campaign
thats the least we can do ,,,,for our better future and for our country ,,,,,
well people what the f&**k we doing here ,,
lets make sure he does not get the nomination
so lets go and make calls on hillary ,s behalf
COME ON LETS ,,DO IT
Light a candle for Hillary
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=hrc
Rise Hillary Rise
Violence Policy Center…..uber left. Main fundee in
the guns area from Joyce.
Josh Sugarmann of VPC famous bully, wrote editorial
in NYTimes against other, more mainstream groups on
gun issue. He says they can’t lobby, but you
better believe they do more than study, editorials
at every turn.
Ellen Alberding, wife of Kelly Welsh, who was
the Corporation Counsel of Mayor Daley, and whose
father was a pol who got into some trouble.
Carin Clauss….clueless board member.
When Guns are Outlawed…Only outlaws will have Guns
This is the same kind of nonsense going around only a few years ago when most people in the US believed national health programmes had been tried in Europe and never worked.
The following however is true.
When Guns are Outlawed… There’ll be a helluva lot less stupid violence
joyce foundation gave over $800K from
2003-2005 to Mark Karlin and Associates
to do pr for gun issues.
Karlin operates the website
BuzzFlash.com which is big
on Obama.
here’s a push from the website -
“Clinton became what she beheld:The Right
Wing Slime Attack Machine”
and today “Are the McCains estranged?”
this is where Joyce money goes…..