Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey believes President Obama's dividing the country is to blame for his failed background check bill

Republican Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, co-sponsor of the recent failed expanded background check bill with Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, placed blame on President Obama and his administration for the disappointing outcome of the bill, saying:

"I would suggest the administration brought this on themselves. I think the president ran his re-election campaign in a divisive way. He divided Americans. He was using resentment of some Americans toward others to generate support for himself. That was very divisive, that has consequences, that lingers. I understand why people have some apprehension about this administration. I don't agree with the conclusion as it applies to my [background checks] amendment, but I understand where the emotion comes from."

Toomey is right. The president has divided this country, especially with regard to background checks. According to the latest poll on the issue, the country is split right in half, with 91% supporting the measure and 9% either not supporting it or unsure whether or not they do.

In a separate poll, 50% say they are male and 50% say they are female. According to Toomey, this is another example of the president dividing the country.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/pat-toomey-obama_n_3148221.html

http://pollingmatters.gallup.com/2013/04/senate-defeats-background-check-measure.html