LIBS DEFEAT GUN AMENDMENT, BARELY - AT 1:25 P.M. ET:  When pro-Second Amendment forces get this close to winning in the U.S. Senate, it gives the ultra-libs something to think about, not that thinking is one of their favored habits.  Behold:

By the narrowest of margins, the Senate's liberal bloc of Democrats defeated an amendment that would have allowed gun owners to carry their weapons across state lines without regard for stricter laws in many jurisdictions, giving preference to states with looser standards.

In a 58-39 vote, supporters of the looser gun law -- including all but two Republicans and almost 20 moderate Democrats -- fell two votes short of the 60 they needed to approve the measure. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), showed the bitter divisions among a Democratic caucus that now holds 60 seats, many of whom got to the Senate by winning in conservative states as they proudly supported gun rights. It also divided the party's leadership, as Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), campaigning for re-election in 2010, sided with gun rights supporters. His top lieutenants, Sens. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), led the push against the measure.

COMMENT:  There is an assertion of power by moderates and conservatives in Congress.  The liberals have clearly overplayed their hand.  Clearly, next year's congressional midterm elections will be critical.  If our side can pick up a reasonable number of seats, we can show once again that America isn't Berkeley.

July 22, 2009