While Democrats have seemingly been working overtime to throw all sorts of distractions in the way of President Donald Trump, one that surfaced Tuesday may border on fantasy: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee as his possible challenger in 2020.
That’s what CNN suggested, placing Inslee’s name on a list of potential Democrat candidates, as if to say it’s already time to talk about replacing Trump in the White House. Since the Seattle Times reported about this, readers’ reactions have run the gamut from sarcasm to serious ridicule.
Inslee is the fellow who, back in March, had this to say in reaction to Trump’s immigration order: “We know the states can and need to be resolute and diligent protectors of the rights of our citizens.”
Except, perhaps, when it comes to Article 1, Section 24 of Washington State’s Constitution:
“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men.”
Inslee’s critics in the firearms community also say the governor and former Democrat congressman is not so keen on protecting citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment. His vote in 1994 for the Clinton crime bill that included the ban on so-called “assault weapons,” while representing the Tri-Cities area in Congress, contributed to his ouster after a single term. After that he moved west into another district, got elected and served long enough under Nancy Pelosi to help pass Obamacare.
He left Congress early to run for the governorship in 2012.
This comes just days after Trump spoke to thousands of members of the National Rifle Association in Atlanta. For the Democratic Party’s far left leadership, Trump’s appearance last Friday was tantamount to treason.
Inslee supported a ban on so-called “assault weapons” that died in the Legislature earlier this year. He would have been surrounded by them in the NRA exhibit hall in Atlanta. He would also have been in the safest spot in the city.
There were more than 81,000 people in attendance over the three days, in an exhibit hall full of firearms, knives and other gear. Several individuals were legally armed.
Aside from paper cuts, sore feet or tired legs, it doesn’t appear anyone needed more than a Band-Aid.
While pundits are already talking about the 2020 presidential race, the NRA named a new president Monday. Pete Brownell of Montezuma, Iowa. He is joined by First Vice President Richard Childress and Second Vice President Carolyn D. Meadows.
Related:
New Study Says ‘Mass’ Shootings = Less Than 1% of Gun Deaths
U.S. Congressman Tells NRA: ‘You Are Not Welcome Here’
Trump’s Army Secretary Pick “Citizens Should Have Same Weapons As The Government”
