Senator Ralph Northam is of two minds when it comes to gun control, as this video makes clear:
But Northam’s changing perspective aside, the wider and more profound change on gun control came out of Wednesday night’s gubernatorial debate. Chris Saxman noted it:
What is NOT being reported is the MASSIVE opening Terry McAuliffe gave to Cuccinelli last night on the previously dormant issue of gun control.
What is a gaffe? No. It was worse. It is an opening when it should have been a closing.
When asked what Virginia should do in the wake of the horrific shooting at the Navy Yard, Terry McAuliffe went all in on gun control advocating for an assault weapons ban, magazine limitation, one handgun a month restriction, and universal background checks.
Six weeks away from the election in which the best turnout estimates are 40%, McAuliffe gave Cuccinelli an Alabama offensive line blocking hole on the only hot button issue that blows up the polling crosstabs – guns.
Yes, he won forever the admiration of Piers Morgan, but he very well could have lost the election.
Here’s why.
It changed the narrative.
Perhaps. But there’s another possible explanation…
McAuliffe’s polling numbers tell him this race is in the bag. Talking about gun control, then? Not a problem. It may even help pad his numbers among suburban women.
Now to see if McAuliffe’s tickmates follow his lead.
