Can they? Sure, their politicians are (for the most part) willing to drift whichever way the wind blows, but many of their voters aren’t nearly as pragmatic. (And lately, there have been quite a few more of that sort even as candidates and officeholders… one’s going for Texas governor right now).

If they’re perceived to be ditching the rhetoric, it’s quite possible they’ll just lose. The same as when they keep the rhetoric.

I’m ready for a nuanced, well-researched, evidence based gun policy discussion. Not the “guns murder babies!” vs. “FREEDOM!” that dominates political discussion.