Fwd: Draft medium post on guns

From:john.podesta@gmail.com To: hw6152@gmail.com Date: 2016-01-08 23:08 Subject: Fwd: Draft medium post on guns

Begin forwarded message: >>>> Hey everyone -- >>>> >>>> Ron Klain wrote a riff for HRC and sent it to Teddy on guns. We thought it could make a strong Medium post from someone who could really speak to this issue (not HRC and not someone on our campaign). >>>> >>>> Here's the draft, which I edited and can personalize depending on who we want to use as an author. A survivor of gun violence? An advocate or family member? >>>> >>>> If we can find someone, and if folks want, we could get this posted today to Medium in someone's name (not us). Here it is, let me know your thoughts! >>>> >>>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wKuc610oUqEWuEZgYVBGk95wjIVjr39Q0yuaK3ytbv8/edit >>>> >>>> Hed: >>>> >>>> Byline: >>>> >>>> <<I’m an xyz and here’s why this issue is really important to me>> >>>> >>>> This week, President Obama did something no president has ever done. He announced that he’ll take new steps to take on the epidemic of gun violence in America—and not a moment too soon. Gunshots have now surpassed car crashes as a leading cause of death in our country. African Americans are four times more likely to die from a gunshot than any other cause. There were 330 mass shootings in 2015. And 147 people in the U.S. were killed by guns in just the first four days of 2016. We can’t go on like this. >>>> >>>> Like most Americans, I’m grateful to President Obama for taking action, and calling on all of us—including responsible gun owners—to do the same. I’d expect nothing less from someone I voted for twice. And I expect nothing less from our next president. >>>> >>>> I like Senator Sanders, and there are a lot of issues where I agree with him. But when it comes to gun violence, he’s not on my side—in fact, he’s taken the side of the gun lobby. >>>> >>>> Senator Sanders talks about supporting gun violence measures. Today, his campaign even said that there is “zero daylight between the President and Senator Bernie Sanders on guns.” But when you look at his voting record, his actions don’t match his words. >>>> >>>> Senator Sanders voted against the Brady Bill five times. That’s legislation that instituted federal background checks for gun sales, and has kept 2 million guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. Senator Sanders voted against it. And against it. And against it. And against it. And against it. >>>> >>>> As it turns out, that’s not even his worst vote on guns. He voted to make it more difficult to crack down on gun dealers who break the law. And he voted twice for a bill the head of the NRA called the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in 20 years—legislation that gave gun manufacturers sweeping immunity for their actions. >>>> >>>> The second time the bill came before Congress, President Obama—then a Senator from Illinois—and Hillary Clinton both voted against it. >>>> >>>> Senator Sanders voted with the NRA. He said it was “complicated.” >>>> >>>> In America, auto companies, food producers, toy companies, chemical companies—all of these industries have to take steps to make sure their product is being used correctly and safely. Not gun manufacturers. They’re able to make billions in profits, without being subject to the most basic safety standards. And when they make lethal products, they’re able to avoid facing any consequences whatsoever, or being held accountable to the people they hurt. >>>> >>>> That’s not complicated. It’s wrong. >>>> >>>> Senator Sanders has been pressed on this vote in every Democratic debate. And the truth is, even Hillary Clinton has cast votes she later said she regretted. So I’d understand if Senator Sanders would just stand up and say, “I got this one wrong. I made a mistake. I’m sorry.” >>>> >>>> But he hasn’t. He’s defended the vote time and again. Three months ago, he said he would “consider” some changes to the law—but he hasn’t come forward with anything since. That means more than 8,000 Americans have died from gun violence since Senator Sanders told us he might change his position. >>>> >>>> This week, President Obama wrote in the New York Times: >>>> >>>> “Even as I continue to take every action possible as president, I will also take every action I can as a citizen. I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform.” >>>> >>>> The President is right. This should be an issue we vote on. And no American should be able to vote in good conscience for any candidate who is wrong on gun safety. And until he changes his position on immunity for gun sellers and gun makers, Senator Sanders is wrong on gun safety. And he’s the wrong candidate for President. >