Did Obama intentionally call out Bernie Sanders on gun control?

[pnwmom]

Bernie supported the PLCAA, which helped manufacturers "enjoy virtual immunity from lawsuits," in Obama's words.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-record-gun-control-crosshair-president-obamas/story?id=36175877

After President Obama wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, many campaign observers began to question whether the president had intentionally called out Sen. Bernie Sanders’ record on gun control.

"I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform,” Obama wrote. The president then commented on gun manufacturer liability, an issue on which Sanders had notably voted with Republicans.

Though Sanders now claims he is open to revisiting his support for liability legislation that benefits gun manufacturers, Obama’s comment that he will be a single-issue voter in 2016 was widely perceived as many as a warning to the Democratic presidential contender.

“Today, the gun industry is almost entirely unaccountable,” Obama noted in his op-ed. “Thanks to the gun lobby’s decades of efforts, Congress has blocked our consumer products safety experts from being able to require that firearms have even the most basic safety measures … they’ve guaranteed that manufacturers enjoy virtual immunity from lawsuits, which means that they can sell lethal products and rarely face consequences.”

[Skwmom]

1. No. Bernie supports common sense gun control. n/t

[pnwmom]

2. He supported the PLCAA, which the President thinks is the opposite. n/t

[JonLeibowitz]

32. The President has an unreasonable position on this issue. n/t

[Gothmog]

45. The gun manufacture liability shield is bad policy

President Obama was correct to attack this policy and Sanders needs to change his position on this policy.

[JonLeibowitz]

46. Disagree. The PLCAA makes little sense.

Sure, let's hold manufacturers liable for products that function correctly, and gun dealers who follow the law in selling them.

Uhm, wait, what?

[CorporatistNation]

48. Common Sense Gun Measures Make Sense... Confiscatory Measures Not! Thsi Waas A Distraction

A "Shiny Object" to distract from Bernie's Wall Street speech coordinated with Chris Matthews Hardball "All Hillary Clinton" Show... Totally a coordinated MSM means of limiting public awareness of Bernie's public pronouncement on Wall Street Regulation.

[restorefreedom]

3. of course not. bernie came out right away to support the pres exec action

obama was talking about the weenies who will not go against the nra.

and he was right to, imo

[pnwmom]

5. Obama was against the PCLAA, and in this statement spoke out against

measures like it that protect manufacturers from lawsuits.

Bernie voted for the PCLAA.

[restorefreedom]

11. there are a number of common sense measures

that have to be addressed right away before everyone wades into product liability. and bernie has said he is willing to reexamine the issue.

i don't believe it is what the pres was talking about specifically or that he was going after bernie in any way. bernie is all in on common sense measures, always has been.

[pnwmom]

13. Then you're ignoring part of the content of Obama's statement.

Because you don't think reconsidering the issue of product liability is a priority.

Which is fine. But Bernie shouldn't. It could prove critical if he is the nominee.

[restorefreedom]

24. i did read what obama said

but if he has an issue with bernie specifically and with that issue, he should come out and name him. this pussyfooting around is one of the reasons i hate politics. bernie is a grown up. he will have a conversation with the president in public or private. but he is not going to play guessing games. no one should at this point. its stupid and childish. let them hash it out like adults.

[okasha]

21. Being "willing to revisit"

being somehow different from "flip-flopping" or "Camp Weathervaning" because. ... Bernie?

That's funny.

[pnwmom]

23. +1. nt

[restorefreedom]

25. it wasn't my quote.

but i am sure he will provide a more substantive statement if someone asks him.

[Autumn]

4. No he did not.

But do keep trying.

[pnwmom]

8. I agree. Who in Obama's own party would be more important

than the eventual Democratic nominee, whoever that turns out to be?

[okasha]

26. I certainly don't think he did so by accident.

It was clearly a shot across the bow.

[Number23]

40. Yep. Sure seemed that way to me too

[okasha]

42. Indeed.

[ucrdem]

7. I'd like to think so.

And he's doing the 110% right thing as usual.

[beam me up scottie]

9. .

[winter is coming]

10. ^^ DUzy, and you win the thread! n/t

[beam me up scottie]

17. Thank you!

Apparently not everyone is so appreciative of good memes.

[winter is coming]

19. Maybe they need more time to properly appreciate you. n/t

[MeNMyVolt]

14. Again with the dumb ass jpegs.

I know you're better than this.

[beam me up scottie]

16. If the meme fits... and get over yourself, I don't need or want your approval.

[MeNMyVolt]

20. Not mad. just expect a little more.

Have fun.

[restorefreedom]

28. this is one of my faves. nt

[MeNMyVolt]

12. Doesn't seem his style. Maybe a little tweek.

Or a nudge. I don't think PBO has a real problem with SBS. Apart from the "primary him" crap back in '11.

[ucrdem]

15. He should have a problem with SBS.

Seriously, he'd be nuts not to. Bill too. Sanders has been trashing both of them for as long as he's been in office.

[Paulie]

43. Didn't realize Bernie was so much the time traveler

That he went forward in time to learn to be be against them when he started in politics.

Perhaps Bernie has done it again and has seen his inaugural...

[Lil Missy]

18. No. The President just feels strongly about the issue. n/t

[pnwmom]

22. I wonder why he said he won't campaign for these people, even if they're Democrats?

Wasn't he trying to give them fair warning, and to influence their positions?

[winter is coming]

27. You do realize he campaigns for a *lot* of Dems?

Including ones in red states who might not be forward-thinking on gun issues?

[restorefreedom]

29. thats what i think he is talking about. nt

[emulatorloo]

30. Exactly. Well said and thank you.

[beam me up scottie]

33. Yep, but it's much more FUN to push the media click bait.

Oooo, cage match between Bernie and Obama, sweet!

[arcane1]

35. You're making the common mistake of assuming honest intentions from the OP.

It's happened to the best of us. This is just another attempt to manufacture something to be outraged about

[winter is coming]

37. One of these days someone will buy it.

Seventh time's the charm for the Bernie's-a-gun-nut meme!

[Lil Missy]

38. I'm sure he is trying to influence their positions! And rightly so!

[emulatorloo]

31. No.

[ucrdem]

34. I don't think gun control was ever his issue but circumstances have forced him to take it seriously.

But it was probably the DNC data breach and lawsuit that did it. It's really getting ridiculous and every now and then Barack steps up and does what needs to be done.

[Vattel]

36. Most of the editorial was great.

But the President will be banned from DU of he recommends not voting for Democrats. And that would be sad.

[JudyM]

39. He's just not going to throw his support behind any that don't assume his position, apparently.

I appreciate his bringing his endorsement to bear but it's more important to have congress and then get the gun votes, as opposed to be selectively supportive which could make the difference in our winning some seats, I would expect.

[okasha]

41. The President's endorsement

would give coattails to one who had none. Likewise, it would put another row of stitching into the coattails of one who has already demonstrated them. Say, by 2-1 support among Democrats nationally, or endorsements of fellow Democrtic leaders by 2-several hundred.

Not naming names, you understand. Just saying. 

[LannyDeVaney]

44. I don't think his intent was to call him out personally ...

but Sanders was wrong on this issue. Period.

Spin it however you want (and the spin in this thread is hilarious), but it's the truth.

Gun manufacturers ability to dodge liability outweighs dead children for some folks.

[jillan]

47. When Bernie is the Democratic Candidate President Obama will be there for him.