Extremism On Full Display
 
"I'm not here to repeal the Second Amendment.  I'm not here to take away your guns." 
 
That was Hillary Clinton during her acceptance speech at the Democrat National Convention just a little over three years ago.  Clinton wanted to make it absolutely clear that neither she nor anyone else in the Democratic Party wanted to take your guns away.  Democrats dismissed such concerns as "a fear tactic of the right meant to scare people."
 
Fast forward to last night's Democrat debate. 
 
"Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15!" 
 
That was Beto O'Rourke during last night's debate boldly going where Hillary dared not.  As one commentator put it, "A Democrat candidate is promising to rob you of your Second Amendment rights."
 
Extreme forms of gun confiscation now appear to be the default position of the Democrat Party.  In addition to O'Rourke's plans, Cory Booker wants registration for gun owners. 
 
This isn't surprising.  The socialist left is attacking the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
 
There are at least 15 million AR-15s in the United States.  Anyone evil enough to go into a shopping center to kill dozens of people is not going to give Beto their gun.  Anyone willing to give up their gun because the law requires it is not going to commit a mass shooting. 
 
All the left's gun-grabbing will accomplish is the disarming of law-abiding Americans.
 
Other ideas expressed last night were just as unrealistic.  There were numerous proposals offered that would cost massive amounts of money and result in complete government control of your life.
 
I'm glad the Trump campaign flew a banner over the debate hall warning that socialism would kill the economy.  Too bad they couldn't post the banner inside the hall so the socialist audience could see it.
 
For three long hours, I heard almost nothing about job creation and economic growth.  But I heard plenty of attacks against industries that employ millions of American workers.
 
 
 
Is This Biden's Best?
 
What about Joe Biden? 
 
He began the debate as the frontrunner for the nomination, and I believe he held his own.  His energy level was up last night.  Surprisingly, I don't believe any of the other candidates succeeded in landing a serious blow against him.  
 
Polls suggest he's the strongest candidate to take on Trump.  But in trying to win the nomination of a party that has embraced socialism, he has said many things that will make him a weaker candidate next year.
 
Julian Castro zeroed in on what will be an ongoing issue for Biden -- his age and mental faculties.  Bernie Sanders didn't do it himself, but his surrogate Linda Sarsour has questioned Biden's mental health.  This issue won't go away anytime soon.
 
He recently got all his facts wrong about a heroic soldier. 
 
He claimed to oppose the Iraq war "as soon as it began." 
 
He said last night that the Obama Administration "didn't lock [illegal immigrants] up in cages."  He's either lying or he doesn't remember. 
 
But that's not all.
 
He also said during last night's debate, "Nobody should be in jail for a nonviolent crime." 
 
Really, Joe?  Not Bernie Madoff?  Not any of those Wall Street bankers that the left believes should be in jail for tanking the economy?  Maybe this was Biden's way of signaling to Brennan, Comey and McCabe that they will have nothing to worry about if he's elected.
 
And in response to a question about his sensitivity to racial issues, Biden rambled on and on, eventually suggesting to parents, "Make sure you have the record player on at night." 
 
Thanks for the advice, Uncle Joe.  Sure you don't want to crank up the phonograph while you're at it?
 
The so-called "party of youth" has three front runners who if elected would be 79 (Warren), 85 (Biden) and 87 (Sanders) after two terms in office.
 
 
 
Values Voter Summit
 
Join me in our nation's capital, October 11th - 13th, for the 2019 Values Voter Summit.
 
Vice President Mike Pence said, "The Values Voter Summit [is] the greatest gathering of conservative pro-family Americans in the nation." And he is absolutely right! 
 
That's why American Values, my non-profit public policy organization, has been a proud sponsor of the Summit every year.
 
This year's Summit will feature an incredible lineup of top government officials, opinion makers and faith leaders, such as: 

• Dr. Bill Bennett
• Ken Blackwell
• Brigitte Gabriel
• Dana Loesch
• Rep. Mark Meadows
• Lt. Col. Oliver North
• Todd Starnes
• And many, many more!

There will be educational and informative breakout sessions on a range of topics, including:  

• Why Christians Should Support Israel
• Engaging Millennials On Socialism, The Sanctity of Life And Gun Control
• The Progressive Assault On Freedom Of Conscience
• The Darkening Landscape Of American Education

In addition, there will be a gala celebration honoring Pastor Andrew Brunson.
 
American Values is hosting a special luncheon Saturday, October 12th.
 
Seats are going fast, so be certain to reserve yours now at valuesvotersummit.org.
 
I look forward to seeing you there!