Manchin FOOLED a lot of people, including many ON THIS SITE. His campaign ad where he put a bullet through the “Cap-and-Trade Bill” made people think that he also supported gun rights.
But before his limousine had even pulled out of sight at the Capitol Building, he was plotting his first gun control bill.
In the end, Sandy Hook, while tragic for those directly affected, did the country a service. It OUTED the Democrats (and Republicans) on the gun control issue, as they were were keeping dead-silent on it prior, which was probably the main reason that Pelosi was able to take over the House and hold it for 4 years.
But the shootings put the SPOTLIGHT back on the Democrats, and in Texas 45% of Hispanics voted straight REPUBLICAN...and guns were a BIG REASON, as many of them own guns (especially if the people that I work with are a representative cross-section). On top of that 75% of whites voted straight-Republican, the highest percentage ever (without a doubt). Wendy Davis NEVER HAD A CHANCE, given what her national party was doing in DC.