Biden: Trump 'Fanning the Flames of White Supremacy'
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
August 8, 2019

Share

BURLINGTON, Iowa — Joe Biden on Wednesday accused President Donald Trump of “fanning the flames of white supremacy” in his most aggressive attack yet on the character of the man he would like to defeat in 2020.
“Trump offers no moral leadership,” Biden declared in Burlington, Iowa. The president “seems to have no interest in unifying the nation.”
Biden’s remarks, which have been echoed in some form by most of the Democratic presidential candidates, signaled how sharp and bitter the nation’s cultural and political divides will be on the long road to Election Day.
They also marked a moment of unity for Biden and his presidential rivals, who have turned on each other in recent weeks. But on Wednesday, they were nearly unanimous in their support of an aggressive plan to confront gun violence just days after another series of mass shootings elevated the issue to the forefront of the party’s presidential primary.
Virtually all of them vowed to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, while some, like Cory Booker, called for requiring all gun owners to obtain licenses.
Hours before Biden lashed out against Trump in Iowa, Booker spoke in Charleston, South Carolina’s Mother Emanuel Church, where a white supremacist shot to death nine black parishioners four years ago. The New Jersey senator demanded bold action to stop gun violence.

Most Voters Favor Stricter Gun Laws

“We must act to get weapons of war off our streets, out of our grocery stores, our bars, our temples and our churches by banning assault weapons once and for all,” a solemn Booker said.
While many Democrats have yet to take a firm position on licensing, their willingness to lean in on gun control marks a definite shift for the party. Democrats with national ambitions have traditionally feared alienating millions of gun owners by embracing plans to enact dramatic changes to the nation’s gun control laws.

“I am a hunter and a gun owner. And let me say as a hunter, no real hunter needs a 30-round clip. No real hunter needs a weapon of war.” — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock
As recently as 2013, President Barack Obama’s White House released a photo of the Democrat shooting a rifle. Former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were also eager to be photographed holding firearms.
But on Wednesday, even red-state Democrat Steve Bullock, the Montana governor, backed gun control measures, insisting in a Washington speech that gun owners are worried about their families’ safety just like everyone else. He called for universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and so-called “red flag” laws aimed at restricting gun ownership from high-risk individuals.
“I am a hunter and a gun owner,” Bullock said. “And let me say as a hunter, no real hunter needs a 30-round clip. No real hunter needs a weapon of war.”
Such positions may not be so politically risky.
Even before mass shootings over the weekend in Ohio and Texas left at least 31 dead, national polls found strong majorities of voters favor stricter gun laws.
 

Seismic Shift From Past Presidential Cycles

More than 90% of voters supported mandatory background checks for all gun purchases, according to a May poll conducted by Quinnipiac University; another 77% favored mandatory licenses for all gun purchasers and 63 percent support a nationwide ban on assault weapons.
“The 2020 aspirants on the Democratic side are all outmuscling each other to see who can have the most aggressive program on the issue of gun safety. That’s a seismic shift from past presidential cycles,” said John Feinblatt, president of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which is hosting a presidential forum on gun control in Iowa this weekend.
The organization, backed by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, spent roughly $30 million to shape the 2018 midterm elections and will again spend a “significant” amount up and down the ballot in 2020, Feinblatt said.
John Anzalone, a veteran Democratic pollster who is advising Biden, acknowledged the party’s sudden willingness to embrace gun control.
“It’s no longer radical,” he said. “No one’s afraid of the NRA anymore.”
Despite the shifting political dynamics and surge in mass shootings, Republican leaders in Congress have blocked efforts to enact significant gun control legislation, including a relatively modest plan to require universal background checks.

Trump Signals Support for ‘Red Flag’ Law

Trump has periodically expressed support for gun control measures, but his administration has not followed through, and his political party in Congress has shown no appetite to address the issue.
There were early signs this week, however, that a bipartisan proposal by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to adopt “red flag” laws is gaining some traction. The still-emerging plan would create a federal grant program to encourage states to adopt laws to take guns away from people believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
A similar bill never came up for a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate last year, but both parties express hope that this year will be different.
Trump has signaled support for the plan.
On Wednesday, Trump was visiting the Ohio and Texas communities that were still grappling with the fallout of the weekend shootings.
The president and first lady Melania Trump began their visit at the Ohio hospital where many of the victims of Sunday’s attack were treated. Outside Miami Valley Hospital, at least 200 protesters gathered, hoping to send a message to the president that they want action on gun control.
Democrats are eager to oblige.

Trump Derided Biden’s Remarks on Twitter

In addition to pledging action on guns, many are linking the violence to Trump’s racist rhetoric, which includes warnings of an immigrant invasion.

“I want to see Democrats take a stand on this issue. Enough with the words. It’s time for action.” — Gilda Cobb-Hunter, South Carolina state legislator
The man accused of killing at least 22 in an El Paso, Texas Walmart on Sunday referenced similar language in a manifesto before the deadly spree.
Biden promised to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, reminding voters that he helped enact the now-expired law in the 1990s that originally outlawed such weapons. He also signaled support for a federal program to buy back assault weapons from gun owners.
Turning to the president, Biden said, there was “no evidence that that the presidency has awakened his conscience in the least.” Trump “has more in common with George Wallace than George Washington,” he added.
Trump derided Biden’s remarks on Twitter as “sooo boring!”
Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a South Carolina state legislator, who has been critical of Biden at times, said it’s beyond time for elected leaders to embrace gun control, even if it turns off some rural voters.
“I want to see Democrats take a stand on this issue,” she said. “Enough with the words. It’s time for action.”

DON'T MISS

Will FUSD Trustees Look First Only at Internal Candidates in Superintendent Search?

DON'T MISS

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

DON'T MISS

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

DON'T MISS

Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?

DON'T MISS

Brothers Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane, Will Donate It to Smithsonian

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Eclipse Chasers Are Hoping For 4 Minutes of Darkened Bliss in Texas

DON'T MISS

If You Want to See the April Eclipse, Make Sure to Protect Your Eyes

DON'T MISS

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

DON'T MISS

16 SWAT Officers Hospitalized After Blast at Training Facility in Southern California

DON'T MISS

Steven Mnuchin Builds Investor Group to Acquire TikTok Amid Potential US Ban

No data was found

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

7 hours ago

Fresno Bank Sued. It Allegedly Helped Bitwise Commit Fraud.

bitwise /

7 hours ago

How California’s Prized Solution for Methane Gas Is Backfiring on Farmers

environment /

9 hours ago

Supreme Court Seems Favorable to Biden Administration Over Efforts to Combat Social Media Posts

10 hours ago

Putin Extends Rule in Preordained Russian Election After Harshest Crackdown Since Soviet Era

10 hours ago

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

10 hours ago

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

10 hours ago

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

news /

11 hours ago

March Madness is Here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina Get Top Seeding in NCAA Tournament

11 hours ago

Crafts Retailer Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Consumers Cut Back on Pandemic-Era Hobbies

12 hours ago

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

â– Valley Children’s paid CEO Todd Suntrapak $5.2 million in 2021. The hospital also gave him a $5 million forgivable home loan. â– The Va...
Healthcare /

6 hours ago

3 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

3 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

3 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

3 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

4 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

4 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

4 days ago

India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslims. Here’s What to Know

4 days ago

US, G-7 Allies Warn Iran to Back Off Deal to Provide Russia Ballistic Missiles or Face New Sanctions

Photo of San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead

4 days ago

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Agrees to a 3-Year, $51 Million Deal with the Jaguars, AP Source Says

4 days ago

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Search