2009: Rahm Emanuel tells Eric Holder to shut up about Assault Weapons Ban

[Eric J in MN]

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/rahm-to-holder-in-2009-stfu-on-guns/

"Now Emanuel had his sights set on Holder. The attorney general had gotten off to a rocky start with the White House with his 'nation of cowards' speech. One week later, Holder stepped into it again. On February 25, (2009) Jim Messina, Emanuel's deputy, walked into his boss's office to inform him of Holder's latest 'gaffe.'At a press conference earlier that day, Holder had told reporters that the administration would push to reinstate the assault-weapons ban, which had expired in 2004. The comments roused the powerful gun lobby and its water carriers on Capitol Hill. 'Senators to Attorney General: Stay Away from Our Guns' read a press release issued by Senator Max Baucus of Montana-a Democrat, no less.

"Emanuel was furious. He slammed his desk and cursed the attorney general. Holder was only repeating a position Obama had expressed during the campaign, but that was before the White House needed the backing of pro-gun Democrats from red states for their domestic agenda. The chief of staff sent word to Justice that Holder needed to 'shut the fuck up' on guns…"

[elleng]

1. Tester replaced, Baucus, eh?

STILL an NRA seat.

[Eric J in MN]

3. Steve Daines (R) is in Baucus' seat. NT

NT

[elleng]

4. Thanks

[lapfog_1]

2. The times, they are achanging...

about f'ing time

[Eric J in MN]

6. There is a focus on gun control now, but

...the Senate didn't vote on an Assault Weapons Ban this week, and the House sit in isn't for a vote on one.

[lancer78]

7. the awb was a useless

Bill. I was able to buy a couple 15 round magazines from a federal dealer because only NEW magazines over 10 rounds were banned.

[Eric J in MN]

8. Seems like an argument to pass a stricter AWB

...than the last one.

[milestogo]

9. The crimes, they are achanging things

[joshcryer]

5. In 2008 our Presidential candidness talked about shooting guns.

2004 Dean actually appealed to the southern vote with very controversial language.

We also had candidates against gay marriage, all of them, until 2012.

Times are changing.