Contrast Issue #3: Gun Control

Obama, on gun control, after the recent shootings in his home state:

Before speaking to a rally here, Obama said the nation must do a "more effective job of enforcing our gun laws, strengthening our background check system, being able to trace guns that are used in violent crimes to unscrupulous gun dealers -- so that we can crack down on them -- closing gun show loopholes."

Obama said he believes in the Second Amendment, but that there is plenty of room for added gun regulations. "There is an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to commonsense regulation," he said.

Mentioning his home city, Obama said local entities should also have the ability to have their own more strict regulations.

"I think that local jurisdictions have the capacity to institute their own gun laws…The City of Chicago has gun laws, as does Washington, D.C.," he said. "I think the notion that somehow local jurisdictions can't initiate gun safety laws to deal with gang-bangers and random shootings on the street isn't born out by our constitution."

Hmmm, that should go over real well in the Texas primary on March 4.

Just as the national Dems seemed to have learned their lesson on this issue, expect to hear a lot about guns if Obama is the nominee, for two reasons.

One, Guns are one of the few areas where McCain has a pretty solid conservative record.

Two, there is, nonetheless, a huge contrast to be drawn on this issue.

Obama is about as anti-gun as you would expect from a Chicago politician:

Obama voted for the assault weapons ban,

Obama voted to limit the number of handguns a person could buy,

Obama voted against lawsuit protections for gun manufacturers, supported a national ban on concealed carry, and worst of all,

Obama voted against a bill protecting homeowners from being sued by burglars in their own homes!!!

I am looking forward to the issue ads around this vote that will pop up in the Sept-Nov time frame.

Obama's not going to get a pass on that record from gun owners. Democrats who run on gun control as a national issue, always lose. What's popular in Chicago, or DC, or San Fransisco is hated everywhere else. Say bye-bye to West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc., must win states for a Democratic national candidate.

Advantage McCain.