Because it was symbolic to them of “doing something,” even if that something was useless.
Also, they are pissed off to find out just how out of sync with the country they are.
“Because it was symbolic to them of “doing something,” even if that something was useless. Also, they are pissed off to find out just how out of sync with the country they are.”
Sorry, but with due respect things were A LOT different this time.
First, can you EVER recall a vote being this dramatic on an issue that was DOA at the next step - I CANNOT. We used to have votes on welfare reform when Clinton was president - and Welfare reform was much more important than a gun vote. They were close votes, but no one cared, because Clinton said he would veto...and he did (until he had to change his mind to get re-elected).
Second, I don’t think you’re visualizing how this vote could have been used against the Republicans, especially the ones in the Northeast. They had lots of options. One being the president saying “All I asked for was Background Checks to Close the Gun Show Loophole, and the Republicans in the House would not even allow that!!”. Or trotting out the Newtown Girls in tear-jerker commercials, essentially saying the same thing.
Whether we like it or not, the country still likes and trusts Obama, and if goes out there BLASTING the House Republicans, they won’t have a chance. Again, there is a reason why Bloomberg dumped $12M and the entire arm-twisting apparatus of government and media went full-tilt for this - and was for a LOT MORE than just a symbolic victory.