by Joseph P. Tartaro
Executive Editor Some Democrats have been trying to downplay the firearms civil rights issue in this year’s congressional elections. But try as some have to bury the issue completely or fudge it as Al Gore did in the late stages of the 2000 president election, it doesn’t look like their strategies will work.

If pro-gun activists and organizations don’t focus voter attention on the issue, the anti-gunners will. In fact, judging by the press releases of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly Handgun Control Inc.), the anti-gunners are only too eager to mix it up this year. And races for federal office will not be the only battlefields. The issue will be extremely hot in several states, especially Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

In many of the states, gunowners may have little from which to choose. In the Maryland gubernatorial contest, anti-gun Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend may face challenges from within her Democratic party as well as from a prominent Republican—most likely US Rep. Robert Ehrlich Jr.—but they will be anti-gun challengers.

In New York state, Gov. George Pataki, who presided over the state’s monstrous new gun bill, doesn’t face a significant GOP challenge, but whether Clinton-cabinet member Andrew Cuomo or state Comptroller Carl McCall wins the Democrats’ nomination, the voters will have little choice on the gun issue.

The primaries in Maryland and New York are several months off, but each month, the ballots in several states will be locked in as more primaries take place.

Illinois Races
The primary season has barely started this year, but it is already evident that the gun issue will be a major factor in several state campaigns as we lead to November.

After enduring two bitter campaigns, two anti-gunners—Republican Attorney General Jim Ryan and Democrat US Rep. Rod Blagojevich—won their respective parties’ March 19 primaries for Illinois governor, setting up a race that is sure to usher in a new era in Illinois politics, according to Associated Press.

Blagojevich vowed to end Republicans’ 25-year streak in the governor’s mansion, while Ryan promised to unite the GOP and the state in his bid to replace a governor who has been beset by scandal and broken campaign promises.

In another closely watched race, Rahm Emanuel, a former aide to President Clinton, celebrated his win in the Democratic primary for the congressional seat Blagojevich is vacating.

Illinois is one of 36 states holding elections for governor this year. Democrats are hoping a bribery scandal that haunted outgoing GOP Gov. George Ryan will help Blagojevich win on Nov. 5.

With 99% of precincts reporting, Blagojevich had 37%, former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas had 34%, and former state Attorney General Roland Burris had 29% in the Democrats’ contest.

Blagojevich lost in Chicago and its suburbs but used a strong downstate organization and the support of organized labor to squeak by his opponents.

Meanwhile, Ryan—no relation to the current governor—had the support of virtually all the state’s Republican leaders. He handily beat Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood and state Sen. Patrick O’Malley. With 99% of precincts reporting unofficial results, Ryan had 45%, O’Malley had 28%, and Wood had 27% in the GOP race.

Both campaigns for governor got nasty. Blagojevich and Vallas launched attack ads and argued over guns and abortion—even though both support abortion rights and gun control.

Jim Ryan, Wood and O’Malley spent much of their campaign trying to distance themselves from the sitting GOP governor.

George Ryan’s popularity plummeted amid broken campaign promises and the ongoing federal investigation of the swapping of drivers licenses for bribes, which occurred mostly when Ryan was secretary of state. He has not been charged with wrongdoing.

House Race
The 5th District congressional race also was notable for its bitter tone, which took on added controversy after a supporter of former state Rep. Nancy Kaszak suggested Emanuel, who is Jewish, was a citizen of Israel and served in the Israeli army.

The comments about Emanuel’s background are not true, and Kaszak repudiated the remarks. But Emanuel said the statements reflected a “whispering campaign” of anti-Semitism against him.

Kaszak called Emanuel to concede less than two hours after the polls closed.

“I’m humbled and honored,” Emanuel said. “It’s moments like this that you remember all the good and all the bad but also all the strength you got from people and why you did this.”

With 99% of precincts reporting unofficial results, Emanuel had 50% and Kaszak had 39%. Six other candidates split the rest of the vote.

Five days after the primary, Emanuel appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and predicted that his anti-gun stance would be a major feature of his campaign for Congress.

In other races:

State Rep. Jim Durkin won the GOP nomination to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin in the fall.

State Sen. Lisa Madigan won the Democratic nomination for attorney general in a race that became a referendum on the clout of Madigan’s father, state Democratic Party chairman and longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan.

If you wonder how anti-gun candidates in Illinois can be, consider that pro-gunners are far from happy with the GOP front-runners. Then consider the kind of crowing that the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence did on March 20, the day after the Prairie State’s primary.

“Today, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the ‘Million’ Mom March hailed the Illinois primary victories of Blagojevich and Emanuel. Both candidates, long-time advocates of strong gun laws, were endorsed by the Brady Campaign Voter Education Fund, and their support for gun violence prevention measures figured prominently in their races.”

You have to note that the Brady Bunch doesn’t use the words “gun control” anymore. In fact, they have always tried to avoid those terms. Their press releases and statements stay as far away from the idea of total civilian disarmament—their real goal—as they can. So read their “gun violence” and “gun safety” expressions with a grain of salt as you continue through their press statement below.

“I congratulate Rod and Rahm on their victories in these highly competitive primaries,” said Sarah Brady, chair of the Brady Campaign. “We look forward to working with both of them to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children.

“Rahm Emanuel has stood side-by-side with the Brady Campaign and the ‘Million’ Mom March to fight the scourge of gun violence in America. While serving in the White House, Rahm led the battle to pass the Brady Bill. As a result of his hard work, nearly 700,000 felons and other prohibited purchasers have been stopped from buying guns—imagine the lives saved.

“Rod Blagojevich has never wavered in his support of common-sense gun safety measures. As a US representative, Rod fought to close the gun show loophole. As an Illinois representative, he wrote the state law that prevents domestic abusers from possessing firearms. In this race, the gun lobby attempted to mislead the public by calling him a gun-banning extremist. Rod’s victory and his strong showing among voters in downstate Illinois proves that all the people of Illinois recognize the need for common-sense gun laws, and that honestly addressing gun safety issues with voters in both rural and urban areas is a winning strategy. With Rod Blagojevich in the Statehouse, the safety of Illinois’ children and families would be in good hands,” she continued.

The release went on in a related note to say, “The two candidates in the Republican primary for Illinois’ 21st legislative district competed to demonstrate the stronger support for gun laws. Both state Sen. Dan Cronin and state Sen. Thomas Walsh promised to champion new measures that would tighten Illinois’ gun laws if elected. Cronin won the primary.”

With statements like this from the Brady Bunch, gunowners are unlikely to need alerts from pro-gun groups.