I don’t think so.

Glenn notes that Bush has endorsed a renewal of the “assault weapons” ban. I don’t think that it’s as bad for him politically as the good Professor does.

I’d think that the chances of an extension passing are close to nil, even with a Bush endorsement, and he (and Rove) knows that (remember, it was a Democrat-controlled Congress that got the first one through). And remember who’s majority leader in the House. Tom Delay probably won’t even let it out of committee.

So it’s probably a safe position to take. He can make himself look moderate to the moderates, while still allowing the thing to die, thus pleasing his gun rights constituency. The issue isn’t what the administration’s formal position is, but whether it actually provides any pressure to make it happen. I’ll be surprised if they do.

The only real political danger is if it actually passes, and he then has to sign it so as not to appear to change his position.

I just wish that more (or all) laws were sunsetted (sunsat?) like this one.