Still, Baucus and his colleagues aren't likely to take risks and by next year's election, he and others could seek to turn the issue to their advantage by using a pro-gun stance to appeal to conservative and libertarian-minded voters.

NPR: Pro-Gun Voters Put Heat On Democratic Senators

The advantage of Georgia is that it is seen as the most pro-Western and business-friendly country in the region.

BBC: The Iranians who come to Georgia

In the case of abortion, he calculated that, since he could hardly renounce his pro-choice identity, he could at least neutralize it, and possibly even gain some measure of advantage, by straightforwardly owning up to it.

NEWYORKER: Mayberry Man