The horrific tragedy that occurred in Aurora Colorado has slowed down the relentless politic banter for a time. Both candidates have pulled their advertisements from Colorado, and some of the negative campaigning that has become so common during this election has lessened at least for the time being. Now both candidates are trying to shift their campaigns into new areas, while avoiding gun control debate altogether Obama and Romney are actually stepping away from the economic attacks of Bain Capital and “You Didn’t Build That” and focusing on different matters concerning the presidency.
Little has been done concerning gun control since Clinton’s 2004 assault riffle ban sunset in 2004. Even though in a recent June 2011 Times poll, 62% supported an assault riffle ban with only 35% of respondents claiming that the right to own guns overrides that ban. There is only about 4 months left though until the American people get to cast their vote for President and simply not enough time nor enough political incentive to get into gun control debates. Neither Romney nor Obama want to spark a controversial debate this close to the election instead both will hone in on their core campaign issue with some less controversial changes.
For instance, Mitt Romney is now preparing for a 6 day trip overseas to turn the conversation toward foreign policy. National polls are roughly split on which candidate would be better at handling job creation and the economy , President Obama has held a steady lead in the realm of foreign policy confidence. Romney will most likely face foreign policy questions in the upcoming presidential debates and this trip may be a way to prepare for the inevitable. Obama while still focusing on the economy and most specifically the middle class, his tone has shifted from negative Bain Capital attacks to a lighter and more empowering tone. After highlighting the differences in his vs Romney’s economic policies Obama urges that while, often politics can seem like a small matter, they make a large impact.
