White House officials are privately bearish Congress will pass anything substantial to limit guns.
Why it matters: Biden aides aren’t under any delusion that a presidential speech will change deeply entrenched and structural obstruction on Capitol Hill.
Biden — stymied after mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde and Tulsa — used the word “enough” 11 times during a 17-minute address to the nation on gun violence last night:
- “How many more innocent American lives must be taken before we say ‘enough’? Enough! … Enough. Enough. … Enough. … Enough. … Enough. Enough. Enough! … My fellow Americans, enough! Enough. It’s time for each of us to do our part. It’s time to act.”
The big picture: Since the Uvalde elementary school killings 10 days ago, Democrats have tried to give Senate Republicans the political space to do something on guns.
- The goal has been to break the fever. Build some momentum. Help the country heal. “Enough” is the watchword — expect to hear that as a rising rallying cry across the nation.
Between the lines: The president didn’t slam the door on bipartisan talks, but he didn’t make it any easier for Republicans to buck their base and meet Democrats halfway.
- If GOP senators are looking for any excuse to bail on negotiations, the president gave it to them. He called for specifics, including an assault weapons ban, that are nonstarters: “We need to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”
What we’re watching: The question for Republican senators is how offended they decide to get about Biden’s political rhetoric.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a key player in the talks, tweeted for Biden to bring it on: “I stand ready to vote on ALL the proposals mentioned by President Biden tonight and encourage the Democratic Leader to bring them forward.” Translation: He would vote no.
- Then Graham softened his tone: “I also stand ready to work across the aisle to find common ground – something that was absent from President Biden’s address to the nation.”
The bottom line: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has been telling folks he’s more hopeful and optimistic based on his conversations with Republicans. But the Biden team remains skeptical.
Source:axios.com