An expansion of background checks for gun purchases fell prey to a Senate filibuster on Wednesday afternoon, with four Democrats siding with 41 Republicans to block it.
The reasons the Democrats gave about why they crossed the aisle varied, but they all came from red states and three of them face potentially tough reelection battles next year. On top of it, the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun lobby that spends heavily during election season, threatened to target lawmakers who voted in favor of bill.Meanwhile, four Republicans also crossed the aisle in the other direction to vote for background checks. Those were Sens. Pat Toomey (PA), Mark Kirk (IL), Susan Collins (ME) and John McCain (AZ).
if you are representing a red state that only votes red you need to change your colors or get out you do your party and it's constituients no good.
re-election of these persons only serve the republican party and does nothing toadvance the [progressive cause, but impedes it gerrymandering, voter block, voter purge scare tactics lies and false advertising permeates those states so tell me what good is a progressive head that bows to the body of the right wing????
Here’s a rundown of the four Democratic defectors and their reasons.
Max Baucus (MT)
Baucus, the chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, is up for reelection next year and carefully watching his back against conservative challengers. He’s been tight-lipped on the issue, repeatedly saying he’ll reflect the wishes of the residents of his small, largely rural state. Asked to explain his vote, Baucus was terse.“Montana,” he said.
Mark Begich (AK)
Begich, a first-term senator, faces reelection next year in bright-red Alaska. Extremely cautious not to be seen as sympathetic in the least to gun control supporters, he voted against opening debate on gun legislation, even as many Republicans voted for debate. Begich characterized the issue as one between emotions and sound judgment.“It’s dangerous to do any type of policy in an emotional moment,” the senator said. “Because human emotions then drive the decision. Everyone’s all worked up. That’s not enough.”
just a couple to give you a sense of the irrelevance of those who wear the colors and vote the other color, they are right why would those states need to elect their own when the present ones are appeasers of the highest order.
if you are not willing to stand on your party platform just to be re-elected to do the same thing all over again makes "we the people" insane if we vote for you again to help the republican cause?
