Gillibrand signed 2008 amicus brief with Dick Cheney, lawmakers in support of overturning DC...

[DonViejo]

Gillibrand signed 2008 amicus brief with Dick Cheney, lawmakers in support of overturning DC handgun ban

CNN Digital Expansion 2018, Andrew KaczynskiNathan McDermott
By Andrew Kaczynski and Nathan McDermott, CNN

Updated 4:26 PM ET, Tue March 26, 2019

(CNN) - Speaking at the official launch of her presidential campaign on Sunday, US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand singled out the National Rifle Association as an example of special interests taking priority over the will of the people.

"Right now, special interests are displacing the voices of the people of this country. Find me a so-called unsolvable problem, and I will point you to the greed and corruption in the way," Gillibrand said, speaking in front of Trump International Hotel in New York. "The NRA stops popular, common sense gun reform, while stray bullets kill children in our communities."

But during her tenure in the US House of Representatives from 2007-2009, then-Rep. Gillibrand fought vigorously in defense of gun rights, including the right to own handguns. While in the House, the New York Democrat represented a more conservative, rural district, compared to the more liberal statewide constituency she represents as a senator.

Gillibrand's position, which was politically advantageous at the time in earning the endorsement of the NRA in her 2008 re-election bid, could now prove a political liability in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Gillibrand has said she regrets her past positions and frames her views on guns at the time as supporting hunting rights.

more
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/26/politics/gillibrand-guns-kfile/index.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Yes.. she was exceedingly pro-NRA/pro-gun earlier (as well as Pro-big Tobacco) and other

conservative viewpoints...

She maintains she has sincerely moved 180 degrees from those earlier positions. Perhaps...

[dsc]

4. I don't think she was pro tobacco as a Rep

but her gun views were terrible.

[hlthe2b]

5. Prior to her first term, she defended big tobacco as part of their legal team.

I have a REAL hard time with this, whether she changed on other issues or not. It isn't as if the facts were not known at that time. It is this indication of overt opportunism that haunts me--even if she says the "right" things now (Al Franken, aside)...

[Trumpocalypse]

16. Elizabeth Warren was a republican

for most of her adult life. Is her changing to a Democrat an indication of overt opportunism too?

[hlthe2b]

17. More than 20 years ago and not merely to run for Congress, so no, I don't think she was opportunist

by contrast...

[Trumpocalypse]

18. But most politicians

have changed positions on major issues. Obama was against same sex marriage then was for it. I myself have changed on many issues. It is not necessarily an indication of “overt opportunism” sounds more like an excuse to demonize someone.

[kysrsoze]

2. Bye, Felicia.

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Bye, bye, Felicia.

[LongtimeAZDem]

6. So did Gabby Giffords

[rogue emissary]

7. I thought gun policy was a non-issue for most of DU.

Doesn't seem to hurt Bernie or Buttigieg.

[happybird]

10. DC is different

Gillibrand represents NY. She should worry about NY and keep her nose out of DC laws. As should every congressperson.

[SFnomad]

11. Unfortunately, per the Constitution, Congress butting out of DC's affairs won't happen any time soon

It would take turning DC into an independent state ... which I fully support ... which also won't happen any time soon.

[happybird]

13. Yeah

I was hoping for it to finally happen and cheering when President Obama had the Taxation Without Representation tags on the limo.

[Gothmog]

8. She also was responsible for Al Franken no longer being in the Senate

Last edited Wed Mar 27, 2019, 03:45 PM - Edit history (1)

[Dr Hobbitstein]

9. So are a couple other dozen senators.

Oh, and Franken himself.

It's sexist as fuck to keep putting this on Gillibrand. Every female Democratic senator called for his resignation. She was the first, but they ALL quickly followed suit. In the end, it was FRANKEN'S choice to resign.

[SFnomad]

12. No she wasn't ... Al Franken was responsible for Al Franken no longer being in the Senate n/t

[Gothmog]

14. She is barely ahead of sanders on my list of potential nominees

Gillibrand will have trouble getting support from a large number of Democrats due to her actions here. I am not alone. I understand that Soros has refused to provide any backing to her

[Trumpocalypse]

15. She probably won't last until Iowa

but for many other reasons not Franken. The average voter doesn’t care about that.