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The Democratic Strategist

Political Strategy for a Permanent Democratic Majority

Obama Uses Bully Pulpit to Call for Action vs. Gun Violence


From Peter Baker’s New York Times report on the President’s statement today:

Standing in front of mothers of gun victims invited to the White House, Mr. Obama scolded lawmakers for not embracing the most sweeping of his ideas and objected to the notion that the country has moved on three months after 20 children and six adults were shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“Less than 100 days ago that happened, and the entire country was shocked and the entire country pledged we would do something about it and this time would be different,” Mr. Obama said, his voice rising with indignation. “Shame on us if we’ve forgotten. I haven’t forgotten those kids. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten.”
The president’s remarks came as his proposal to reinstate an assault weapon ban has faltered in the Senate and another proposal to expand criminal background checks appears in trouble as well…The Senate is preparing to begin a floor debate on gun laws when lawmakers return the week of April 8.

The broad coverage the president is receiving with this video clip provides good example of how to use the bully pulpit to generate public pressure on congress to act.

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