McCain, Obama Talk Sportsmen’s Issues with Field & Stream

From The New West Blog

By Matthew Frank, 9-19-08

Outdoor magazine Field & Stream has posted interviews with presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, providing insights into their positions on conservation, energy exploration and gun rights.

While neither candidate hunts or owns a gun, both have been busy wooing those who do—especially as the Rocky Mountain West has emerged as a battleground.

A cursory summary:

McCain’s hero is Teddy Roosevelt. He wants to have “as much exploitation as we can to provide for our nation’s energy needs” balanced with preservation and multiple use. He opposes drilling in ANWR and believes off-shore drilling is a states’ issue. He thinks common ground can be achieved when environmental, local, state and federal organizations come together in the name of conservation. McCain’s against legislation aimed at banning assault rifles. High-capacity magazines, too. He likes to fish and hike. His favorite piece of public land is Canyon de Chelly in Arizona.

[F&S Editor in Chief Anthony] LICATA: You’re well known for giving frank answers to questions that may cause some supporters to question you. So with that tradition in mind, what do you feel is the issue that’s going to cause the most friction between you and sportsmen?”

SENATOR MCCAIN: [pause] Probably [that] I favor the closing of the gun-show loophole. In other words, when it’s a small transaction. I do not support restrictions on family exchanges. But I think that gun shows are marvelous, and we now have the capability for instant background checks. That person that perpetrated the tragedy at [Virginia Tech in] Blacksburg should never have had access to a weapon because of his history. But I have favored the closing of the gun-show loophole. That’s probably one of them, but I’m a strong supporter of gun shows, strong supporter of the Second Amendment, strong record in that area. So that probably may be one of those things. But I’m very proud of my record.

Obama wants to stop special interests from doing “end runs” around the interests of sportsmen and give states more say. He’s proud of co-sponsoring of the Wetlands Protection Act. He thinks “we’re not going to drill our way out of these (energy) problems” and believes in efficiency. He’s for legislative aimed at banning assault rifles because they’re not used for hunting, and for background checks and closing the gun-show loophole. Obama likes to hike and used to fish (and spearfish). His favorite piece of public land is Yellowstone. He wants the head of the Department of the Interior to be a sportsman or sportswoman.

LICATA: Why should American sportsmen vote for you?

SENATOR OBAMA: I think that when it comes to conservation, when it comes to management of public lands, when it comes to access to public lands, when it comes to encouraging access to private lands through various incentives, my agenda I think is going to be one that is most likely to ensure that we have the great outdoors available to the next generation. I don’t think there are going to be a lot of your readers who look at my agenda and say that’s not the right way to go. What may hold them back is their concern about gun rights, and I think that if they have confidence that their gun rights are going to be protected, and I’m respectful of the traditions of hunting and self-defense, then I’m going to be their best choice. The only reason they wouldn’t vote for me, I think, would be because they’d be afraid that in some ways I would encroach on those rights. And I think if you talk to sportsmen back in Illinois, they’ll tell you that those are traditions that not only [do] I respect, but I intend to respect.

Click here for the full McCain interview, here for the full Obama interview.

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By Matthew Frank, 9-19-08 | comments (13) | email story | print story

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Comments

By roseinmt, 9-20-08

From everything I have read on Senator Obama and his view on the Second Amendment, the argument I keep hearing against Obama that he'll take your gun rights away seem to be more of the same exaggerations and untruths. I don't have a problem with banning or at least restricting assault weapons. Why does anyone really need one? If you aren't planning on trying to overthrow the government or commit mass murder, why do you need one? Handguns and rifles are not an issue to Sen. Obama and he believes the right to own them is protected. I think we need to have more care to ensure those who are not mentally stable can't go out and buy guns. I don't want to see anymore of the tragedies like Virginia Tech or the many others we have experienced over the last decade or so. If running a instant background check and having laws in place to keep guns out of mentally ill peoples hand would prevent another Virginia Tech, I'm all for it. I bet many of the families of the victims would agree. And since I think Sen. Obama has a better plan for the economy, health care and numerous other issues, I will fully support his election to the Presidency.

By William, 9-20-08

McCain-- Bad on Environment: http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/53870-mccain-s-green-economy-drill-baby-drill

By VaHunter, 9-22-08

Well I am not sure I could ever vote for a Democrat...but McCain is a joke when it comes to protecting 2nd amendment rights. The NRA has been bad mouthing him for years...and I believed them! Now they are calling me and want me to support him. No way....he's bad for gun owners and hunters. And, although I'm not a farmer, my uncle is and he says all the farmers can't stand him because he's never supported them either. I guess it's either Bob Barr or sit it out.

By roseinmt, 9-22-08

VaHunter-
I hope you might reconsider voting for a democrat. I think Senator Obama will work across the aisle better than most. He gets high praise from even republicans in Illinois after his eight years in the state Senate. I have read comments from some there that gave him high praise for his ability to find compromise that everyone can agree on. I used to have respect for McCain because of his service to country, but he is not the same man today that he was even 8 years ago. I have lost all respect for him in this campaign. He won't admit he was wrong even when confronted with the facts and I think he was thinking more about getting elected than the good of the country when he selected Palin as his running mate. As a former Alaskan, I know to much about her to put my trust in her when she would be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Senator Obama will protect out 2nd Ammendment rights and all others under the Constitution. I find it interesting that this last administration has violated more of our constitutional rights than ever before and yet claims they are the party of less government? I am afraid it would be a continuation of the same old stuff with McCain.

By Dave Skinner, 9-23-08

Rose,
Nobody "needs" an "assault weapon" -- or any other firearm, until they do. And you shouldn't be the arbiter of my needs, and this idiotic government we've elected, and which many of us DESERVE, should not be the arbiter either.
Too bad I can only cancel out your misguided vote and not others...but then again, that's the American way under the Constitution.

By roseinmt, 9-23-08

Mr. Skinner- I have never found I needed anything other than a pistol or rifle, both of which I have been proficient in their use since I was a young child. At 12 years of age I could outshoot my father’s friends that he hunted with, even with their own rifles. If you can't drop an elk with at most a couple of shots with a 30.06 or a 30-30 or whatever your choice of hunting rifle, you shouldn't be hunting. I saw my father do so with one shot from the hip with a 30-30 that dropped an elk at 350 yards. I could never outshoot him. I have never needed more than a pistol for personal protection. My point is, something must be done to keep weapons out of the hands of those who should not have them, and assault weapons put the lives of our first responders in danger when in the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, along with many innocents who have been slaughtered. If someone slaughtered as much wild game at one time that have slaughtered innocent people, most hunters I know would be up in arms. Where is the outrage for the human life that has been lost at the hands of those who should have never been allowed to get their hands on a weapon? It is not just my decision, but a collective result from many that live within our citizenry. And perhaps Mr. Skinner, you are the one whose vote is misguided? And by the way, I did not vote to put in the current administration who has led us to the brink of financial disaster and even appointed members of the US Supreme Court who have made decisions regarding the 2nd Amendment. Perhaps you did?

By Dave Skinner, 9-25-08

Hip shot with a 30-30 at 350? Our governor's initials, my dear.
I challenge you to hip-shoot at anything from 35 yards and hit a pie plate with any percentage, then you will know how implausible that truly is. And a perfect, one-shot kill with a rainbow-trajectory cartridge on what was almost surely an iron-sighted lever action?
If you were truly a "proficient" shot, you'd know that what you just claimed is not plausible.
As for your comment on choice of hunting rifle, guess what. That choice is mine, not yours, not government's, and sure as heck not Obama's or that of any Supremes he'd like to appoint. While I have my issues with McCain, as well as a lot of uncertainty as to what sort of a president he will be...I have absolutely no doubt that the Obama/Biden ticket would be a one way trip someplace I'd rather not go.

By roseinmt, 9-25-08

Mr. Skinner read more carefully. I did not say I did it, I said my father did. And there were several witnesses to the event. Unfortunately he is no longer with us, but he was an old cowboy that constantly amazed people in all kinds of ways, including his shooting ability. He grew up in an age when you had to know how to shoot and ride and do for yourself. And far as what hunting rifle you use, I don't care, unless you pull out an assault weapon to shoot game and then we have a fight. As I said, go read for yourself. Senator Obama does not want to take away your guns; the hunters in Illinois had no problem with his record concerning guns.

By Dave Skinner, 9-26-08

Taking a shot like that in front of an audience of "several witnesses?" That's questionable, too.
As for your "assault weapon" comment, turns out both the SKS and AR systems are pretty good for coyotes, the latter a sweetheart for just about any varmint at any REASONABLE range. And while East German "ubungspatronen" ammo was available, the SKS made a wonderful jackrabbit zapper, at least according to the ranchers whose bunny problem I tried to moderate...
Never mind that the AR system is available in derivative platforms including your trusty 30-06. You can get THAT version from Cobb out of Georgia, and Olympic is making top ends that can take the Super Short magnums. Those are all "hunting" cartridges.
And that ol' 30-06? It originated as a military cartridge. Does that make it "bad" all of a sudden?
It is clear to me that your position on which firearms are "appropriate" isn't based on much in the way of facts. Is that true for your outlook on political outcomes as well?

By roseinmt, 9-26-08

Mr. Skinner I have not kept up on weaponry in years. If you read carefully in the various posts, I have said "whatever your choice of hunting rifle." I don't care what kind you use in hunting rifles. If you go in a store to look at hunting rifles I don't think the first thing they would pull out is an AK47. I have not hunted in years due to bad knees and the kind of hunting I grew up with where you actually get out and walk up and down mountains and draws and over ridges and whatever; it doesn't mix well with bad knees. I just think anyone who uses assault weapons is very un-sportsman like. Coyotes and rabbits, you are talking about critters that have traditionally been referred to as "varmints" not game. As far as my father’s shooting abilities, you can believe what you want, I really don’t care. I know what I know, as do others. I could explain the circumstances if I cared enough about what you think, but I don’t. As far as my politics, I definitely pay attention and have for a very long time and have been active in politics. You are free to disagree with me on political matters, that is your right. However doubtful you may be on other statements, that is your problem. Just because it is beyond your realm of experience or abilities doesn’t mean it isn’t so. However, if you are the kind of hunter that would take an assault rifle to shoot a deer, elk or moose, than I would personally find you despicable and lower than the rattlesnake, another varmint I don’t like. I know you can go out and buy a lot of things nowadays that would not fit in with the fair hunting that I was raised with. If it is legal for hunting, then so be it. If it is something you have to keep hidden from the game warden, than shame on you. I believe we have a right to own guns for hunting and self protection. I am sick of hearing about people dying at the hands of individuals who should have never had the ability to get their hands on weapons. My position is, in this society, we need to be able to exert some control, as a nation, on the availability of weapons to those who will use them to harm others not trying to harm them. Those who are mentally ill, men or women who have threatened to kill a spouse or significant other, and those who use them criminally. There are a lot of people who do not have sufficient control over themselves or their minds, and therefore should have access restricted. If you do not fit into those categories, then you don’t have to worry about it. If you do fit into those categories, then the thought of you with weaponry is frightening, to say the least.

By Payday Loan Advocate, 9-30-08

With our economy falling behind, the war on terror, pork barreling legislation, corruption, and criminal activity on the rise, payday loans should be the last thing on politicians’ minds. Yet, for some reason, high profile politicians like Obama are focusing on this issue. Some states have banned them, such as Georgia and North Carolina, and more are in the process. Instead of fixing the important issues, they are trying to take out the payday loan industry for personal and political gain. Payday loans are simply for short term financial assistance for the all-American family to cover some cost that wasn’t budgeted or an emergency that they couldn’t pay for at that moment. They provide help to citizens during these financially troubling times with loans that the government otherwise couldn’t provide themselves. Stop the potential loss of thousands of jobs and the loss of a viable financial option by voicing your opinion to the legislature, before a nationwide ban becomes in effect.

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By Payday Loan Advocate, 10-03-08

One of the biggest targets for politicians, as far as economics are concerned, is becoming the <a >payday loans</a> industry. Governors across the country are trying to rid their states of the industry altogether, and so far, Georgia, North Carolina, and Oregon have succeeded. The result was that bankruptcies, foreclosures, and also the number of overdraft fees due to bouncing checks went through the roof, which doesn’t do anything for the citizens afflicted in these turbulent times, and only is really good for the banking industry. Despite these negative effects, other states are looking to follow the example and do the same. Even at the national level, presidential candidate Barack Obama, is weighing in his own agenda on the issue, and advancing his own intentions on getting rid of the industry in the United States completely. If these measures, both on state levels and nationally, are successful, the results are going to be increased unemployment, more debt, more foreclosures, and an even worse economy.

By roseinmt, 10-03-08

I think if you check bankruptcy records you will find that most people who availed themselves of the services of payday type loans, did not get themselves out of trouble, but in deeper. If someone only uses the services occasionaly for a real emergency like the hot water heater goes out, you might be OK, but if you are in serious financial difficulty where foreclosure or bankruptcy are imminent or lurking around the corner, a payday loan is not the answer. The very huge interest rates suck up so much to pay it off that you are better off with a credit card or trying to suck it up for a couple weeks or months. We did that route once and spent so much on paying back it hurt us worse. I finally said thats it, no more. We paid them off and lived lightly for a couple of months and got back on track. Never again. They prey on low income people who already have money problems and usually have bad credit that keeps them from having access to regular credit sources. I don't blame states for wanting to regulate them more or get rid of them altogether. The interrst rate is way too high.

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