Joe Helps Out

Joe Biden has been talking about gun control.  Though the massive overhaul the White House hoped for in the wake of Sandy Hook has not come to pass, he still feels the issue is in play:

We need everyone in the country to know the fight is not over. Far from it . . . I assure you one thing each of us says to our colleagues about the votes: ‘The country has changed. You will pay a political price for not getting engaged and dealing with gun safety.’

In the final episode of this season's Game Of Thrones, Tywin Lannister, the real power behind the crown, shuts down the young King Joffrey by noting "Any man who must say 'I am the king!' is no true king."

Sort of like Biden, saying as loudly as possible there's going to be a political price.  If he were sure there was a price to be paid, at this point he'd probably keep his mouth shut, hoping conservatives would fall into the trap.  What he's really saying is "please oh please let there be a price for this."

There may be, though it seems to me the biggest bloc of voters who truly care is still those who don't want more gun control.  Meanwhile, the White House seems to be paying at least a temporary price for the scandals that have arisen since their gun control plans failed.

What will make a difference in 2014?  Way too early to tell.  Maybe none of this.  But the last thing I'd do if I were a politician would be listen to advice that someone in the opposite party gives me.