That mandate has led each candidate to take stances sometimes at odds with his party.
Instead, every party prefers to take stances that are inconsistent but that are perceived to serve it well in the short term.
Supported by the money of gun manufacturers, it has created a machine whereby politicians must take stances on gun control that are more extreme than most of their voters believe, because otherwise they will be punished with attack adverts.But the NRA is not the voice of most gun owners.
I have friends who spin into a tizzy when candidates they like take stances contradictory to their own.
The open carry protests have garnered increased attention, especially as national chains have begun to take stances against this type of action.
The TED talk, which received a standing ovation, recently became a buzzed-about topic on Reddit as users take stances on what privacy means in today's mobile society.
They also hope to win over some Republicans who have been willing to take stances on human rights issues, like Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind).
By abstaining, there's a missed opportunity to participate in legislative issues and elect representatives who take stances on policies Iranian-Americans may be in favor of or against.
