Even Tucker Carlson Acknowledges Republicans "Could Lose This Debate" On The Gun Issue In 2016 [View all]
Fox News host and Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Tucker Carlson acknowledged that it is not politically unwise for Democrats to embrace gun safety as a centerpiece campaign issue, breaking with the media's long-held conventional wisdom that Democrats should avoid talking about the issue because it is allegedly politically perilous to oppose the gun lobby.
Carlson's admission that it makes sense for Democrats to talk about guns ahead of the 2016 election is surprising given that the National Rifle Association -- which is deeply entwined with Carlson's conservative news website, The Daily Caller -- benefits from the media status quo, which baselessly presents the gun issue as dangerous for Democrats.
During the October 15 broadcast of America's Newsroom, Carlson appeared as a guest to discuss the prominence of gun violence prevention as a topic of discussion in CNN's October 13 Democratic primary debate. Carlson said, "Politically, it's probably not a dumb play for Democrats. America has changed dramatically in its demographic composition." He also noted that the issue "polls pretty well" with "suburban and single women."
When asked whether Democrats might "overplay their hand" advocating for gun safety laws, Carlson replied, "Again, the population has really changed in the United States and Republicans need to clearly articulate why this will not make the country safer and until they do, and unless they do, they could lose this debate."
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/10/15/even-tucker-carlson-acknowledges-republicans-co/206186