Byron York: Obama uses Clinton's playbook to exploit shooting

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The Washington Examiner:

Byron York: Obama uses Clinton's playbook to exploit shooting

 

Byron York

 

Chief Political Correspondent

 

The Washington Examiner

December 20, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Modified: December 20, 2012 at 6:05 pm

In his news conference Wednesday, President Obama argued that because a deranged young man murdered 20 children and six adults in a Connecticut schoolhouse last week, Congress should immediately raise taxes on the nation's highest earners.

No, it didn't make much sense. But Obama is following the example of predecessor Bill Clinton, who in 1995 used the Oklahoma City bombing not only to press security-related measures but also to enhance his political clout in a desperate battle with Republicans. It worked for Clinton; the next few weeks will tell whether it will do the same for Obama.

The president called the news conference to announce he is forming a commission -- a time-honored Washington delaying tactic -- to come up with gun control recommendations