Four reasons why the background-check measure went down to defeat (despite having so much going for it)… 1) The NRA still packs a punch with Republicans and red-state Dems… 2) The red vs. blue divide… 3) The upcoming 2014 midterms… 4) The House’s likely inaction on the legislation…. The White House’s goal: making sure the defeat doesn’t spill over to immigration… Baucus: Health-care “train wreck” ...