Kelly Ayotte
The problem with getting effective gun control in this country isn't popular opinion. Gun safety advocates are winning that battle.
The problem is with politicians more afraid of the gun lobby than they are of popular opinion. And historically, they had reason to. Safety advocates were big on statistics and emotion, short on cash. Meanwhile, the gun lobby could write checks seemingly at will.
Still, that NRA cash was incredibly ineffective in 2012—just 0.83 percent of the $11 million they spent gave them their desired outcome (either defeating an opponent or electing an ally). And now, we have two new organizations with serious heft ready to combat the gun lobby. And oh boy do they have cash:
The Michael Bloomberg-backed gun control group is spending $500,000 to attack Ayotte's vote against expanded background checks on Boston TV and another $150,000 on WMUR in Manchester, N.H. Ayotte has emerged as a top target for gun control groups after she declined to support expanded background checks. It comes on the heels of a $25,000 ad buy in defense of Ayotte by the National Rifle Association.
Oh, the NRA wants to spend $25,000 to prop up one of its lackeys? How cute! Here's SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSANDS FUCKING DOLLARS in response. Outgunned, the gun lobby has had to call in reinforcements. The American Future Fund, a GOP Super PAC, has come in with $250,000 in support of Ayotte.
When was the last time the gun lobby had to call in reinforcements? They used to be the heavy artillery, now they're trapped in a foxhole, flanked on one side by hostile public opinion, on the other by well-equipped opposition.
If this is the start of a trend and not a one-off, it dramatically reshapes the electoral/political equation. An overmatched gun lobby ultimately means fewer votes that 1) piss off a majority of constituents, and 2) generate a barrage of negative media. It could mean that the heavy firepower is on the side of public opinion.
Thu Sep 10, 2015 at 6:19 AM PT (Anonymous Coward): I was just looking at your Bloomberg brings howitzer to a gun fight website and see that your site has the potential to become very popular. I just want to tell you, In case you didn't already know... There is a website network which already has more than 16 million users, and most of the users are interested in topics like yours. By getting your site on this network you have a chance to get your site more visitors than you can imagine. It is free to sign up and you can find out more about it here: http://tgi.link/... - Now, let me ask you... Do you need your site to be successful to maintain your way of life? Do you need targeted traffic who are interested in the services and products you offer? Are looking for exposure, to increase sales, and to quickly develop awareness for your site? If your answer is YES, you can achieve these things only if you get your website on the service I am describing. This traffic network advertises you to thousands, while also giving you a chance to test the service before paying anything. All the popular sites are using this service to boost their readership and ad revenue! Why aren’t you? And what is better than traffic? It’s recurring traffic! That's how running a successful site works... Here's to your success! Find out more here: http://bbqr.me/...
Lindsey http://www.arvut.org/...