http://www.insidedenver.com/news/0408owen1.shtml
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Owens won't join Clinton at gun-control group's rally
By John Sanko
Denver Rocky Mountain News Capitol Bureau
Gov. Bill Owens and President Clinton are together on the issue, but they won't be together on stage.
The Republican governor accused Clinton on Friday of using the Colorado fight over gun control to keep pressure on a GOP-dominated Congress and said he won't appear with the president at a Denver rally Wednesday.
"I trust that Colorado will make him feel welcome, but I don't want to inject national politics into a Colorado initiative," Owens said. "And I'm particularly concerned about the timing coming as it does eight days before (the anniversary of the shootings at) Columbine."
The rally is being organized by SAFE Colorado, the group trying to get an initiative on the November ballot that would require criminal background checks on all buyers at gun shows.
"I support the initiative," Owens said.
"With the strong public support it has, I am confident that it will win approval, but I am disappointed with how the president is using this."
Owens, who is chairman of the Bush for President Campaign in Colorado, is the one playing politics by snubbing Clinton, Democrats said.
"For Gov. Owens to suggest this is political is like the pot calling the kettle black," said Senate minority leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. "I'm very sorry that even when there is an issue that the governor supports, he can't stop playing politics."
House minority leader Ken Gordon said Clinton's appearance will help focus public attention on the issue and said a joint appearance by Owens hardly could be misconstrued as indicating support for the president himself.
"We should not let there be guilt by association in these kinds of things," said Gordon, D-Denver. "It doesn't mean (Owens is) in favor of people having sex in the Oval Office."
Arnie Grossman, co-president of SAFE Colorado, called the governor's decision disappointing, but praised Owens for standing up to support the initiative.
"We respect and appreciate the support he has given us on the gun show initiative," said Grossman. "And I admire the courage he has shown in standing with us in support of it. However, I am disappointed he won't be able to join the president in our event."
The White House also expressed disappointment at Owens' decision, but declined to comment on his questioning of Clinton's motives.
"He was invited. We're sorry he is not able to join us at Wednesday's event," said Elizabeth Newman, White House spokeswoman.
"And we are glad the governor is supporting this important bipartisan initiative that will make Colorado a safer place. President Clinton looks forward to coming to Denver."
Clinton will hold a nationally televised
"town hall" meeting in Denver after appearing at the rally, the White House confirmed Friday.
The president will join network news anchor Tom Brokaw for a program at the University of Denver entitled "Up in Arms -- What Should America Do?"
Contact John Sanko at (303) 892-5404 or at sankoj@RockyMountainNews.com.
------------------
The New World Order has a Third Reich odor.
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Owens won't join Clinton at gun-control group's rally
By John Sanko
Denver Rocky Mountain News Capitol Bureau
Gov. Bill Owens and President Clinton are together on the issue, but they won't be together on stage.
The Republican governor accused Clinton on Friday of using the Colorado fight over gun control to keep pressure on a GOP-dominated Congress and said he won't appear with the president at a Denver rally Wednesday.
"I trust that Colorado will make him feel welcome, but I don't want to inject national politics into a Colorado initiative," Owens said. "And I'm particularly concerned about the timing coming as it does eight days before (the anniversary of the shootings at) Columbine."
The rally is being organized by SAFE Colorado, the group trying to get an initiative on the November ballot that would require criminal background checks on all buyers at gun shows.
"I support the initiative," Owens said.
"With the strong public support it has, I am confident that it will win approval, but I am disappointed with how the president is using this."
Owens, who is chairman of the Bush for President Campaign in Colorado, is the one playing politics by snubbing Clinton, Democrats said.
"For Gov. Owens to suggest this is political is like the pot calling the kettle black," said Senate minority leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. "I'm very sorry that even when there is an issue that the governor supports, he can't stop playing politics."
House minority leader Ken Gordon said Clinton's appearance will help focus public attention on the issue and said a joint appearance by Owens hardly could be misconstrued as indicating support for the president himself.
"We should not let there be guilt by association in these kinds of things," said Gordon, D-Denver. "It doesn't mean (Owens is) in favor of people having sex in the Oval Office."
Arnie Grossman, co-president of SAFE Colorado, called the governor's decision disappointing, but praised Owens for standing up to support the initiative.
"We respect and appreciate the support he has given us on the gun show initiative," said Grossman. "And I admire the courage he has shown in standing with us in support of it. However, I am disappointed he won't be able to join the president in our event."
The White House also expressed disappointment at Owens' decision, but declined to comment on his questioning of Clinton's motives.
"He was invited. We're sorry he is not able to join us at Wednesday's event," said Elizabeth Newman, White House spokeswoman.
"And we are glad the governor is supporting this important bipartisan initiative that will make Colorado a safer place. President Clinton looks forward to coming to Denver."
Clinton will hold a nationally televised
"town hall" meeting in Denver after appearing at the rally, the White House confirmed Friday.
The president will join network news anchor Tom Brokaw for a program at the University of Denver entitled "Up in Arms -- What Should America Do?"
Contact John Sanko at (303) 892-5404 or at sankoj@RockyMountainNews.com.
------------------
The New World Order has a Third Reich odor.