Shot In The Dark

It didn't take long for the SCOTUS decision overturning the DC handgun ban to make its way into the WH '08 debate. Less than an hour after the ruling, McCain took a direct swipe at Obama, chastising the "elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness." Shortly after noon, Obama responded as well, seeking a very ... middle-ground approach: "I know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne."

-- Lessons learned, apparently. Dems concluded that Gore's gun stance hurt him in '00 and downballot Dems in rural areas have avoided the issue ever since. Can they ignore it now? We're expecting statements from red-state cong. candidates praising the ruling to hit our email boxes any minute.

-- Can guns sway voters in a year where gas prices and the economy dominate? New polls in key states (and, coincidentally, states where gun-owners are a key voting bloc) show McCain struggling. Obama's ahead by a whopping 17 pts in MN, 13 pts in WI, 6 pts in MI and 5 pts in CO.

-- Cultural issues may not be packing the same punch as they did in '00/'04. But can they still help define the still under-defined Obama?