Crossposted from the Internet Mailing List ONLINE REPORT TO THE FIREARMS
OWNERS COALITION which reprints various columns and news tidbits from
Neal Knox. (who has just moved up from second vice-president to first
vice-president of the NRA)
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Hard Corps Report
                                             June 7, 1996
Dear Friend and Supporter,
     A half-year ago I told you that Bill Clinton was probably
going to be elected.
     Now, despite Clinton's massive lead in the polls, his
chameleon coloring as a "moderate" Republican, and his shameless
willingness to adopt any position that he thinks will enhance his
ability to be elected, he'll probably be defeated by Bob Dole.
     That won't be because of Dole's charm, but distrust of
Clinton, which will grow for several reasons, particularly the
convictions of their friends and business partners in Whitewater.
     Granted, the first polls after the verdict indicated no
shrinkage in Clinton's popularity, with three-quarters saying the
convictions made no difference to them.
     Why should that be a surprise?  Most of the media --
particularly television -- has said so little about the
corruption within Clinton's inner-circle in Arkansas that the
convictions meant nothing to most people.  That will change.
     The Washington Post hasn't totally ignored Whitewater, but
they've spun it as old news, mere politics, and of no real
importance  -- after all, it didn't happen in Washington.
     The 24 felony convictions of the McDougals and Gov. Jim Guy
Tucker make it obvious that there was real corruption, with the
President and First Lady right on the edge of it -- if not in it.
     To scramble back toward credibility, last Sunday the
Washington Post ran a front page story that jumped to an almost-
unprecedented four inside pages explaining the major issues and
citing Hillary's contradictory and contradicted tales under oath.
     As has been noted, the press are like blackbirds on a fence,
after the first one flies to a new perch, the rest soon follow.
As more of the press begins to talk about Whitewater, and more
corruption is revealed, it will become a major political issue.
     But the big issue will be if Clinton grants his friends and
accomplices a Presidential Pardon.
     Gov. Tucker is suffering from a debilitating liver disease;
he's within a year of needing a transplant.  He's already said he
won't appeal, and he can't be looking forward to spending what's
left of his life in prison.  He's looking for a deal.
     Speculation is that Susan McDougal is too.  Only jaunty Jim
McDougal is acting like he has no worries.
     If any of the three choose to talk -- and can tie Bill and
Hillary directly to their scams -- Clinton would probably lose
the election and join Webb Hubbell, et al, in jail.
     If Jim Guy, Susan and Jim would wait until after the
election, say Christmas week, a pardon wouldn't affect his re-
election chances, and he could grant it even if defeated.  But
considering his track record on promises, would you trust him?
     My guess is: he's going to pardon them before the election,
which might cost him the Presidency, but keep him out of prison.
     All this is critically important to firearms owners because
guns will be a major issue in his campaign -- and if Clinton wins
he will claim a mandate for sweeping new gun laws.
     Clinton's present lead is so strong that he might not only
get re-elected but bring in an equally anti-gun Congress.  So be
thankful for Whitewater.
     We've still got our work cut out.  I'm planning to spend a
lot of time on the road, helping organize and pump up the grass
roots volunteers whose work will decide this election -- and next
year's legislative battles.
CONTINUED IN PART 2 **************************************************
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
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