The RNC’s Block and Blame Game

[DonViejo]

by John Avlon May 3, 2013 8:26 AM EDT

While 41 Republican Senators and five Democrats voted against the bipartisan bill for universal background checks, the RNC says it’s Obama’s fault. That's despicable, writes John Avlon.

There’s chutzpah and then there’s rank hypocrisy.

The RNC released a slick but cynical web ad this week commemorating the first 100 days of President Obama’s second term. Politics ain’t beanbag and no one expected their assessment would be sunshine and light. But there’s a particularly low place for folks who block and then blame—in this case, intimating with mock sadness that the president is legislatively impotent for failing to pass universal background checks in the wake of the Sandy Hook slaughter.

Reality Check: 41 Republican Senators (and 5 Democrats) voted against the bipartisan compromise bill crafted by Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Joe Manchin. And among Republicans controlling the House, the modest background check bill—supported by 90% of Americans—was considered DOA.

This affront to common sense and common decency is difficult to defend. And so the RNC response is to blame the president for a failure to lead despite the fact that his bipartisan outreach was rejected by most Republicans.

Don’t take my word for it—listen to Pat Toomey: “In the end it didn’t pass because we’re so politicized,” Toomey told the Times Herald editorial board. “There were some on my side who did not want to be seen helping the president do something he wanted to get done, just because the president wanted to do it.”

full article
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/03/the-rnc-s-block-and-blame-game.html

[jimmyolsenblues]

1. NRA has democrats too

Don't ever kid yourself that the NRA only contributes to republicans.
the NRA contributes to democrats too, and they take that money.
NRA is one of the most powerful organizations in this country.
Much more powerful than people realize.

I have never owned a gun and don't care to, but how many innocent people have to die at the hands of family members before people realize.

Hey I bought the gun to protect my family from outsiders, when most of the murders come from inside the house, not outside.

[DonViejo]

2. The entire article isn't about the NRA but, guess you didn't...

bother to read it, huh? Also note, the author does talk about Democrats and the NRA, right here in the paragraphs that are posted.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. Why is it despicable? There are many of us right here on DU, other liberal boards, in the media

who blame Obama, too. He can do nothing right in their eyes.

[mimi85]

4. +1000

Seriously. The man could cure cancer and walk on water, and he still would be demonized. A black man in the white house. What a threat to America!