Republicans missing political revival mark

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte fires an assault rifle at the opening of a firearms accessories factory in Keene, N.H. The Granite State Republican, who is a possible 2016 White House candidate, helped shoot down a Senate proposal this week for universal background checks on all gun purchases. /Union Leader photo by Meghan Pierce

After polling poorly with everyone except white men in the November 2012 elections, Republicans engaged in collective hand-wringing over broadening the party's appeal. The party's race to become competitive before the 2014 congressional elections has started with Republican lawmakers in Congress stumbling to their knees out of the gate:

• Couldn't or wouldn't cut a deal to stop the meat-axe "sequester" federal budget cuts, which have slowed the job market and probably weakened economic growth overall
• Blocked universal background checks for all gun purchases
• Made little progress on immigration reform

President Obama is off to a good start politically in his second term, without having to do too much. Only 20 months until the midterm elections.