Thought this might get a good response in here. I know I enjoyed it, particularly since Diana DeGette is one of my least-favorite Congress-critters.
Turnout sparse at gun-control forum
DeGette says party now concentrating on more 'general' issues
By Michael Romano
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - Only about three dozen of the 4,368 delegates to the Democratic National Convention showed up Wednesday for a forum sponsored by Handgun Control, the nation's leading gun-control advocacy group.
A mid-size conference room in the Omni Hotel, where Colorado's 70-person delegation is headquartered, was half-filled as HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo delivered a speech on the Clinton Administration's failed efforts to push a handful of gun-control measures through the Republican-dominated Congress.
The disappointing turnout underscored a growing sense among some observers that gun control, purportedly a signature issue for Democrats since the 1999 Columbine massacre, has been pushed off center stage during the party's four-day convention here.
"This is a divisive issue in the Democratic Party," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver, who has been active in the gun-control movement in the House.
"In terms of the party platform, I think the party is concentrating on more broad, general issues." Dawn Anna, a Littleton resident whose daughter Lauren Townsendwas killed at Columbine, took the convention stage Wednesday for a panel discussion on guns. In a moving speech, she called on Congress to "honor" her daughter's memory by passing meaningful gun-control legislation.
"God has hit us over the head with a giant, cosmic two-by-four," she said of the spate of school shootings. "The people of this nation are crying to be heard."
After his speech at the Handgun Control forum, Cuomo shrugged off the sparse attendance and dismissed suggestions that the issue has been supplanted by more mainstream concerns like education and the economy.
"This is an issue that has an overwhelmingly popular appeal," said Cuomo. "If you want a litmus test, look at the Million Moms March.
"I've never seen an issue that has mobilized and galvanized people like this one."
Others point out that gun control remains a top issue that has been addressed countless times during the convention by many speakers, including President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy.
"You hear about gun control in almost every speech," said Joe Sudbay, political director for the Washington, D.C.-based Handgun Control. "I guess my sense is that it's just become a standard part of the campaign discussion."
Rick Hess, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said the party has not pushed the combative issue aside to placate such gun-advocacy Democrats as Rep. John Dingell. The Michigan lawmaker sponsored a National Rifle Association-backed measure last year that effectively scuttled the tough gun-control measures passed by the Senate.
"There is a diversity of opinion," Hess said. "But all Democrats agree we should work to keep weapons out of the hands of those people who shouldn't have them."
DeGette said she and many others in the party have concluded that nothing will be done to pass effective gun-control measures as long as the Republicans control the House and Senate.
(bold is mine)
Turnout sparse at gun-control forum
DeGette says party now concentrating on more 'general' issues
By Michael Romano
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - Only about three dozen of the 4,368 delegates to the Democratic National Convention showed up Wednesday for a forum sponsored by Handgun Control, the nation's leading gun-control advocacy group.
A mid-size conference room in the Omni Hotel, where Colorado's 70-person delegation is headquartered, was half-filled as HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo delivered a speech on the Clinton Administration's failed efforts to push a handful of gun-control measures through the Republican-dominated Congress.
The disappointing turnout underscored a growing sense among some observers that gun control, purportedly a signature issue for Democrats since the 1999 Columbine massacre, has been pushed off center stage during the party's four-day convention here.
"This is a divisive issue in the Democratic Party," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver, who has been active in the gun-control movement in the House.
"In terms of the party platform, I think the party is concentrating on more broad, general issues." Dawn Anna, a Littleton resident whose daughter Lauren Townsendwas killed at Columbine, took the convention stage Wednesday for a panel discussion on guns. In a moving speech, she called on Congress to "honor" her daughter's memory by passing meaningful gun-control legislation.
"God has hit us over the head with a giant, cosmic two-by-four," she said of the spate of school shootings. "The people of this nation are crying to be heard."
After his speech at the Handgun Control forum, Cuomo shrugged off the sparse attendance and dismissed suggestions that the issue has been supplanted by more mainstream concerns like education and the economy.
"This is an issue that has an overwhelmingly popular appeal," said Cuomo. "If you want a litmus test, look at the Million Moms March.
"I've never seen an issue that has mobilized and galvanized people like this one."
Others point out that gun control remains a top issue that has been addressed countless times during the convention by many speakers, including President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy.
"You hear about gun control in almost every speech," said Joe Sudbay, political director for the Washington, D.C.-based Handgun Control. "I guess my sense is that it's just become a standard part of the campaign discussion."
Rick Hess, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said the party has not pushed the combative issue aside to placate such gun-advocacy Democrats as Rep. John Dingell. The Michigan lawmaker sponsored a National Rifle Association-backed measure last year that effectively scuttled the tough gun-control measures passed by the Senate.
"There is a diversity of opinion," Hess said. "But all Democrats agree we should work to keep weapons out of the hands of those people who shouldn't have them."
DeGette said she and many others in the party have concluded that nothing will be done to pass effective gun-control measures as long as the Republicans control the House and Senate.
(bold is mine)
