How did we go from a "revelation" on Sunday in the
Illinois Review that Obama supported "stand your ground" in Illinois back in 2004 to a
Dave Weigel debunking in Slate by Tuesday?
It all starts with a poorly researched article in the Illinois Review (remind me not to hire that author) claiming:
The Obama-sponsored bill (SB 2386) enlarged the state's 1961 law by shielding the person who was attacked from being sued in civil court by perpetrators or their estates when a "stand your ground" defense is used in protecting his or her person, dwelling or other property.
The bill unanimously passed the Democrat-controlled Illinois Senate on March 25, 2004 with only one comment, and passed the Democrat-controlled Illinois House in May 2004 with only two votes in opposition. Then-Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) signed it into law.
Hint: Any story with
Democrat-controlled in it is suspect from the get go (the proper term is
Democratic). But note the word "dwelling."
Then it gets picked up by NRO's John Fund: Obama Voted to Strengthen Illinois’s Stand Your Ground Law in 2004 and the Washington Times (Then-Sen. Obama co-sponsored ‘stand your ground’ law in 2004 in Illinois).
Throw in The Blaze, Newsbusters and Powerline (I won't link but you can google). Add a healthy dollop of conservative social media, and voila: a controversy! A scandal!
Except it isn't true.
Dave Weigel felt obligated to point out Obama's vote was about the "castle" doctrine and trespassing, not out on the street use of force. Weigel includes language from both states' bills and compares:
It's a pretty obvious difference, which probably means that the "Obama used to support this" theory is essentially trolling.
Yes, it is.
I'm shocked that there's gambling in this casino.