Slapstick had it right. The dems were the only ones pushing the AWB. The GOP howls about soft-on-crime were about mandatory sentencing and "3 strikes and you're out", which had bipartisan support.You do remember it differently...
The 'Soft On Crime' howls from Republicans got the crime bills pushed through a Democratic congress.
Then Republicans howled about 'Gun Rights'...
*IF* I remember correctly, that was about the last time congress worked together across the isle.
When the Lush Dimbulb types, and the Faux 'News' types lampooned the Republicans any across the isle work stopped, and so did congress...