A new poll has New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) down a total of 15 points from her previous approval rating in a survey that followed her vote against requiring background checks for firearms purchases.
Ayotte's plunge underscores the changing politics around gun control and gun safety. In years past, lawmakers worried that a vote for gun control would bring the anger of the National Rifle Association. In the new reality, votes against gun control also carry a political risk, as the Ayotte poll indicates.
A full three-quarters of New Hampshire voters support such background checks, along with 56 percent of Republicans, according to Public Policy Polling. A WMUR Granite State Poll taken in January and February found that more than 9 in 10 state residents supported implementing background checks at gun shows.
It's not entirely clear yet how opposition to background checks will play out at the polls, but there are signs Ayotte’s vote may have taken a toll.
I think it is entirely possible that the politicians that caved under NRA pressure may find themselves regretting that decision en masse.
I wrote yesterday about the fact that activist groups are targeting Mark Begich, and other Democratic Senators that voted to block the bill, and it is increasingly beginning to look as if some Republicans may find themselves wishing for a do over as well.
Ultimately I think the NRA is playing a losing game in the long run. They may indeed hold off gun control legislation in the short term, but a strong coalition of voters comprised of both younger Americans and female voters, feel NO allegiance to the 2nd Amendment,
Much like gay rights this could be a turning point in how America views gun ownership in this country, and as usual I think the Republican party is on the wrong side of the issue.
I think that gun legislation, gay rights and ending wars will be the Obama legacy...compared to Bush's pretend legacy of peace and prosperity. Now if we can take back the House from the troll Boehner, we could add job creation to that list.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget keeping our country from imploding in a catastrophic economic collapse. That's a pretty impressive accomplishment!
DeleteScarborough Shreds Sen. For Caving To Minority In One Of ‘Saddest, Most Pathetic’ Votes ‘I’ve Ever Seen’
ReplyDeleteIn Ayotte’s case, Scarborough displayed a hint of schadenfreude as he pointed to the decline in the senator’s approval rating, following her vote. Her re-election may not be imminent, he contended, but “when any politician is in the low 40s and then slips into the 30s, that stays on you.” He further posited that, perhaps, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who came out in support of expanded background checks, could persuade Ayotte into doing the same.
Scarborough’s real frustration was saved for Heitkamp — particularly in light of the polling that showed 94% of North Dakota supported the measure. Not even buying that a true six percent would be opposed, Scarborough ranted against Heitkamp for “cowering in the corner,” fearing calls to her office from the four percent who oppose background checks. She’s “not tough enough to handle” that?
“This is one the saddest, most pathetic votes I think I’ve ever seen in Washington, D.C., what Heidi Heitkamp has done cowering in the corner because four percent, maybe five percent, of the people in her state were making phone calls that her staff had to answer,” he charged.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/scarborough-shreds-sen-for-caving-to-minority-in-one-of-saddest-most-pathetic-votes-ive-ever-seen/
Poor Kelly, she must have been reading the fox news "polls" instead of researching the facts.
DeleteIt's all about getting elected, then voting to get re-elected. Nothing about going to DC to represent your constituents.
I volunteer in my child's high school, in the front office answering the phone and greeting visitors.
ReplyDeleteI submitted to a FULL background check before I was allowed to volunteer, including a criminal history check, traffic violations, drug violations, etc.. The school submitted my drivers license number to the state, and then to our local sheriff's office. I am finger printed, and expected to keep my profile updated if my address or any information changes. It is considered a privledge to be a volunteer in the front office, only a few people are selected, because it is truly the first impression a visitor or caller gets of the school.
The irony is that a person with a gun could walk into the front office of the high school and shoot me, all without a background check for them.
Why can't Republicans see the stupidity in this??? Oh, wait, they are Republicans. My bad.
5:55, this is a wonderful post. It should go viral on Facebook.
DeleteI had to undergo one at most of the places I've worked at when I moved to the DC area.
DeleteIt's run of the mill, but God forbid there be one for guns.
Do-overs, you say? Tell that to victims and their families who will never have the chance.
ReplyDeleteOff with their heads!
The Republicans know they're on the wrong side of history on this issue
ReplyDelete...but they just can't stop themselves.
That NRA money is just too sweet.
And besides - what if they do get voted out of office? So what? They'll just go on and become a highly paid lobbyist like just about every single staffer of Max Baucus (D-traitor) has.
In her desperate attempt to raise her political profile and burnish her foreign policy cred, Kelly Ayotte has taken Joe Liebermans place as one of the Three Stooges of the US Senate. Running around with McCain and his girlfriend Lindsey is a sure ticket to the unemployment line in 2016.
ReplyDeleteVirginia Voter
I live and work in New Hampshire. Let me tell you that the only one here who thinks Kelly Ayotte is a star is .....Kelly Ayotte. She's been adopted by that disgusting McCain and Graham duo, follows them around like a puppy and that isn't very dignified. She has had nothing to offer, no major speeches, no new ideas, no leadership on her part, just following those two into the world of idiocy and irrelevance. Feel free to donate to the NH Democratic Party, they will be working towards her future unemployment in 2016.......oh wait....this is New Hampshire after all and I expect to be fully engaged in working for Hilary's campaign by then! Well, we'll just have to make that a 2 for 1 special won't we?
ReplyDeleteI see 'The Palin Curse' has far-reaching tentacles.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't happen to a more deserving hanger-on of that 'dynamic' duo McCain and Graham! I hope she gets voted out.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone exposes their authentic self, believe them the first time. There are no do-overs. Yes, the voters ALWAYS get the last word.
ReplyDelete‘They Don’t Work For You’ – New Campaign Targets Pro-Gun Senators
ReplyDeletehttp://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/they-dont-work-for-you-new-campaign-targets-pro-gun-senators/politics/2013/04/25/65927