What’s Stephanie Hansen Up To?
There’s a fine line between skepticism and cynicism, and I’m right on the line when I read something like this:
Days before the Delaware General Assembly reconvenes in January, a Democratic senator plans to host a gun violence forum in Wilmington.
“This forum is not slated toward gun control or gun rights,” said Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, in a statement on Monday. “The goal is to set aside the picket signs and bullhorns, and focus on the facts … and foster more constructive conversations.”
The event will be held at the state’s Carvel Office Building on Jan. 9. Topics will include home sale of firearms, background checks, training and licensing requirements, the definition of an “assault weapon” and crime statistics, according to a Monday press release.
There probably won’t be much room for picket signs, since you have to be invited to attend. Members of the governor and attorney general’s offices have been invited, along with lawmakers and “groups on both sides of this issue,” according to the release, which cited limited seating.
Let’s blow up one argument first. Citing ‘limited seating’ as a reason why only the invited can attend means that you chose a place without enough seats to accommodate those who are interested. It also, of course, heightens my skepticism. Or is it cynicism? (BTW, will the press have some of those limited seats, or is this event completely closed? And, if so, why?)
OK, kids, let’s try to figure out what’s happening here. I start with this question: Why is this a Stephanie Hansen production? I find it almost impossible to believe that this is her initiative, and her initiative alone. Could McBride and Poore be using her to provide cover for their cowardly refusal to bring up gun reform for votes? For that matter, is the Governor doing the same? ‘Cowardly’ is perhaps the best descriptor for the Empty Suit Who Occupies The Office. Hansen has not publicly embraced a stance on these issues either way. Knowing her history, though, ‘honest broker’ is not the phrase that comes to mind.
Just what does she hope to accomplish? Does she really hope to find common ground amongst the sloganeers? Are second amendment absolutists suddenly going to engage in constructive discourse.? First time for everything, I guess. And what would that common ground be? Since, by definition, common ground suggests mutual agreement, is there anything that both sides could agree with that would actually do anything worthwhile? Color me…you know.
Here’s what she could hope to accomplish: Upside: Gun nuts refuse to budge, leading to consideration of the bills that McBride has bottled up. I give that about a 1% likelihood. Downside: Nothing approaching an agreement, Hansen, Carney and the centrist D’s throw up their hands, and say that it’s not worth pursuing anything until the sides can reach agreement, as if the arguments on both sides carry equal weight. In other words, a false choice. As a cynic, I think that this is exactly the intent of this exercise. As a skeptic, I’m doubtful but have hope.
Is there a possible wild card here? Yes. The Attorney General’s office is involved in this meeting. We know where AG Kathy Jennings stands. We, or I, think that she could blow John Carney out of the water if she were to primary him. Maybe she will give him cover to grow a pair. Or, failing that, primary his ass.
Hey, call it cynicism or my Spidey Sense, but this enterprise has Delaware Way stench all over it. Maybe, if press is allowed, I’ll check it out. Gee, I wonder what the odds of DL getting a press credential are?
Hansen has been a profound let-down.
When she was campaigning she told me, IN MY DRIVEWAY, that she would be a progressive, support cannabis legalization, and “looked up to” Kowlalko, in reference to my state rep i said i like so much.
I think she lied.
I think she has placed herself squarely on the Delaware Way path and will be a good little soldier until it’s her turn to play governor for the banks.
I agree with everything you said.
Especially ‘I think she lied’.
“Topics will include …the definition of an “assault weapon” .”
This is a big tell that this is 100% bullshit. The gun mayhem lobby loves bogging down “constructive conversation” in this kind of nonsense.
“The goal is to set aside the picket signs and bullhorns, and focus on the facts … and foster more constructive conversations.”
I’d like to think a more constructive conversation possible, but it simply isn’t. The gun mayhem lobby looks at any constructive conversation as complete betrayal.
Yes, they do, but it matters when you’re going to outlaw something. Whenever something is banned, people immediately start looking for loopholes. So it’s both bogus and legit at the same time.
Progressive my ass. She’s a snake.
But I think there’s a simpler reason about why invite-only — if the public were allowed it would become a battlefield. You know the gun nuts would show up en masse, which means gun-control people would feel compelled to turn out hundreds to counter them, and the odds of it getting ugly would be strong. Imagine the bad publicity that would generate for Hansen. Hence invite-only.
I agree. But ‘limited seating’ is as lame as a cover story gets.
It’ll be especially lame if some of those invited don’t show up.
Good catch, DL. It was bugging me that I couldn’t find more details posted anywhere for this forum. If she’s live-streaming it on facebook, there should be an event page set up. The press release isn’t up anywhere.
Hansen is a politicians politician. She is trying to seem like she listens to both sides. This is a mistake the nuckle dragging folks around the MOT area vote for Mickey Mouse Over a Democrat. Her and BHL seem to not have moved passed political thought of Delaware of the late 90s.
Excellent point. I would add Carney and Coons to the list of Dems who still think that some Republicans are persuadable.