Good-bye New Gun Laws, Hello Keystone XL?

Top story on NYT this morning:  As per usual, Dem senators may very well prevent any real progress on gun control.  Some, of course, up for re-election next year and running, or is that gunning, scared.  Good ole Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who dared utter the heresy that, hey, maybe we should do a little something about assault rifles and ammo, now backing off.  Sad, predictable.

At the same time: A similar breakdown forming in the Senate, as nine Dems join 44 Repubs to urge President Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline ASAP.    Dems led by usual problem-maker, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, with Manchin on board again.  Supposedly this new route involving Nebraska is a "winner." The Wash Post urges Obama to change course and back the damn thing, even as protests mount.