More evidence has surfaced that the senators who sided
with the gun lobby and opposed background checks for firearms purchases may be
in political trouble due to a voter backlash.
with the gun lobby and opposed background checks for firearms purchases may be
in political trouble due to a voter backlash.
In New Hampshire, long a pro-gun state, rookie Republican
Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s approval ratings have plunged since she voted against the
background checks bill. The Manchin-Toomey amendment was supported by 75 percent of
New Hampshire voters in the latest poll, including a majority of Republicans.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s approval ratings have plunged since she voted against the
background checks bill. The Manchin-Toomey amendment was supported by 75 percent of
New Hampshire voters in the latest poll, including a majority of Republicans.
Ayotte’s approval/disapproval numbers have shifted by 15
points and, according to the new poll, her re-election chances in 2016 may be
in jeopardy. In October, Ayotte, had a 48-35 approval rating. She has now
tumbled underwater, with 46 percent disapproving and 44 percent approving, the
Public Policy Polling survey found.
points and, according to the new poll, her re-election chances in 2016 may be
in jeopardy. In October, Ayotte, had a 48-35 approval rating. She has now
tumbled underwater, with 46 percent disapproving and 44 percent approving, the
Public Policy Polling survey found.
The PPP poll also found that half of Granite State voters
say Ayotte’s gun vote makes them less likely to support her the next time
around. Ayotte, who won election in 2010 by a 23-point margin, now risks
enticing a challenge from popular Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
say Ayotte’s gun vote makes them less likely to support her the next time
around. Ayotte, who won election in 2010 by a 23-point margin, now risks
enticing a challenge from popular Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
Ayotte’s numbers slipped by 13 points among independents
and 21 points among moderates. Two-thirds of moderates said they are
second-guessing the senator after the background checks vote on Capitol Hill.
and 21 points among moderates. Two-thirds of moderates said they are
second-guessing the senator after the background checks vote on Capitol Hill.
Across the state,
newspapers have been filled with damning editorials and angry letters to the
editor aimed at Ayotte, the former state attorney general. She was also hit by
a stinging ad from Gabby Gifford’s gun control group.
newspapers have been filled with damning editorials and angry letters to the
editor aimed at Ayotte, the former state attorney general. She was also hit by
a stinging ad from Gabby Gifford’s gun control group.
A PPP poll released earlier this week showed that even in
South Carolina, a deep Red State, Republican officials and candidates were out
of step with voters on the background checks issue.
South Carolina, a deep Red State, Republican officials and candidates were out
of step with voters on the background checks issue.
But it’s not just the GOP standardbearers who are
hurting. In North Dakota, another rookie senator, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp, is
frantically defending her vote against the gun safety measure.
hurting. In North Dakota, another rookie senator, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp, is
frantically defending her vote against the gun safety measure.
Heitkamp said that the calls her office received on
Manchin-Toomey – obviously reflecting the intensity of the NRA’s efforts – were
7-1 in opposition to the bill. But a recent poll found that 94 percent of
voters in North Dakota want to see the gun show loophole for background checks
ended.
Manchin-Toomey – obviously reflecting the intensity of the NRA’s efforts – were
7-1 in opposition to the bill. But a recent poll found that 94 percent of
voters in North Dakota want to see the gun show loophole for background checks
ended.
Meanwhile, Organizing For America, the political group
that grew out of the 2012 Obama re-election campaign has announced that they
plan to run ads targeting many of the senators – Republicans and Democrats — who
rejected the Manchin-Toomey amendment.
that grew out of the 2012 Obama re-election campaign has announced that they
plan to run ads targeting many of the senators – Republicans and Democrats — who
rejected the Manchin-Toomey amendment.
The Huffington Post made this observation:
“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.”
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.”
