(Image source: Mike Carano)

BY CHANCE SEALES

You're watching multisource politics news analysis from Newsy

President Obama got pretty good reviews for his State of the Union speech.  He hit inspirational high notes, challenged China and reflected on the tragedy in Tucson.  But some of his faithful supporters said – you missed something, Mr. President.

BLITZER:  “He chose not to bring up the hot button issue of gun control, and that’s angering a top gun control group.  The president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence blogged that the president failed to grab an important opportunity.”

With six dead and 14 wounded – gun control advocates wanted a strong stance from the White House.  And pundits wanted something to debate.  On Fox News, a conservative and liberal hash out the obvious oversight.  

MADDEN: “The White House knows it’s an electoral loser.  If you look at the electoral map that helped put President Obama into office…”
MADDEN:  “They have a very different view of the second amendment.”
COLMES:  “Had he talked about gun control, you’d have people like Kevin criticizing him for his position on gun control.

But they spoke too soon.  As it turns out, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews had a thrill up his leg and scoop on his hands – before anyone else – the night of the speech.   

MATTHEWS:  “There’s going to be a special presidential address on gun control.  It’s not been scheduled yet, but there’s going to be one.”
MATTHEWS:  “He’s not overlooking it.  I think they must have made a tactical decision that it would be the headline tonight when they’re looking for an economic, jobs headline tonight.”

With several aides now confirming the upcoming gun control push, the Washington Post points out – the issue sunk Dems in 1994 and badly damaged Gore in 2000.  So – how does it look in 2011?  Liberal Fire Dog Lake writes….

“Gun control legislation faces an almost impossible climb in a Republican House. It would certainly be completely impossible without the President weighing in.”

And conservative blog, Hot Air, has the same estimate – saying the president’s move is similar to a health care repeal by Republicans – all show, no go.

“An Obama gun control speech will, I assume, be exceedingly modest in its demands. Lots of lip service to the Second Amendment and America’s fine hunting tradition, plenty of upfront concessions about not wanting to ban handguns, etc.”

Look for the president’s speech in the next weeks.  Newsweek says he’ll likely challenge lawmakers to crackdown on lax laws – like letting mentally ill people buy guns – sometimes without background checks.
 

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