Gabby Giffords’ Gun Control Group Endorses Two Republican Senators
Source: Time
The gun control group founded by Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, has endorsed two Republican Senators in tough re-election fights as it seeks to expand its outreach.
In an op-ed on CNN Monday, Americans for Responsible Solutions backed Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Mark Kirk of Illinois, who are both facing tough re-election races in a year in which Democrats hope to regain control of the Senate.
The two sitting Senators voted in favor of gun control proposals after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where 20 children were killed.
In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, Republican Sens. Pat Toomey and Mark Kirk broke from the gun lobby and supported a bill to help prevent felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill from obtaining firearms at gun shows and online, wrote Giffords and Kelly in the op-ed.
Read more: http://time.com/4461211/gun-control-pat-toomey-mark-kirk-gabby-giffords/
As pointed out by another DUer:
-Tammy Duckworth, Democrat, combat vet, lost both legs in Iraq. Pro-choice, pro-ACA, supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally, would admit 100,000 Syrian refugees into the United States. Rated 7% by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record.
-Katie McGinty, Democrat, has not held an elected office. Served as an environmental advisor to Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton, pro-business, supports gay marriage, Affordable Care Act, she is also pro-choice. Scored 100% on CeaseFire Pennsylvania survey, Expanding state background checks to cover the private sale of long guns, Requiring background checks for ammunition sales, Requiring firearms dealers to tell the police when a customer fails a background check
And this in a year when we're seeking to regain the Senate. Oy vey!
kimbutgar
(20,871 posts)This is bs. Neither Kirk nor Toomey will stand up to the NRA they are just pandering to those who only pay attention during election season.
I had so much respect for Gaby Giffords and now I am disgusted by her and Mark Kelly.
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)FighttheFuture
(1,313 posts)together.
Person 2713
(3,263 posts)Work on AZ
it has enough to keep busy with guns and politics
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)vi5
(13,305 posts)So fucking sick of "our side" pulling this bullshit.
And so looking forward to a few new Conserva-Dems taking their rightful place in the Democratic controlled Senate: which based on history is standing at the door and telling a Democratic president and Democratic senate what can and can't be passed and what is or is not "too liberal".
SwankyXomb
(2,030 posts)will side with the Democrats on any vote, other than maybe dedicating a post office?
vi5
(13,305 posts)No, I don't think they will side with Democrats on any vote. At all.
This is a dumb, dumb, dumb move.
surrealAmerican
(11,339 posts)Sen. Kirk is a worthless piece of GOP, and does not have a better record than Tammy Duckworth on this issue.
With friends like these, who needs enemies?
BumRushDaShow
(127,271 posts)He puts his finger in the wind and says what is "expedient" at the moment but he is still a teabagger.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)In 2009 Mark Kirk Tells China That US is a Bad Investment - - - DailyKos
In 2009 Is this, like, traitorous? - - The Guardian
I keep seeing Gabby sitting up there with Chelsy Clinton at the convention.
MBS
(9,688 posts)And these are two close races, too. BOO.
CharlotteVale
(2,717 posts)postatomic
(1,771 posts)With so many more candidates running on a gun violence prevention platform, in some places the changing politics of gun safety has made our endorsement decision difficult. In Pennsylvania, Katie McGinty is a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention and would be a consistent vote for life-saving gun safety laws in the Senate. Likewise, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is not only a decorated veteran and an American hero, but has been a champion for commonsense gun laws in the House. We have no doubt she would continue to be a leader on gun safety in the Senate.
With the vocal majority of Americans behind us, our movement has reached a tipping point. Our coalition is black and white, Latino and Asian. We are gay and straight. We are gun owners. We are Democrats and Republicans. And we've all had enough with the gun violence that is tearing our communities apart.
I have never, repeat: NEVER, been asked to support a Republican by Gabby and Mark. They are merely identifying those that would be helpful in their endeavor. 'Dying by Gun' should not be a partisan issue. It is a human issue.
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)...over two solid, demonstrably pro-gun control Democrats.
One of whom can be seen here at the recent pro gun control sit-in:
*My* reading skills are just fine. What part of 'endorsement' did *you* not understand?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/22/opinions/america-finds-voice-gun-safety-giffords-kelly/
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512378127
Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who has made opposition to a U.S.-led nuclear agreement with Iran a major theme of his re-election campaign, likened home-state President Barack Obama to "drug dealer in chief" over a $400 million payment linked to the release of American prisoners.
Kirk's controversial rhetoric has been an issue as the first-term senator is viewed as perhaps the most vulnerable Republican incumbent nationally this fall. He is being challenged by two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates.
The latest eyebrow-raising comment came as he spoke last week to a Downstate newspaper. Kirk echoed GOP criticism that the U.S. cash payment of $400 million to Iran was a ransom for the release of American prisoners held by the country.
The money was part of a previously announced settlement in a case stemming from money owed since 1979. The U.S. has had a long-standing policy of not paying ransom for hostages, and the Obama administration described the payment as "leverage" for the release of U.S. prisoners.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-mark-kirk-barack-obama-drug-dealer-iran-met-0822-20160821-story.html
Fuck Kirk, fuck Toomey, and fuck anyone who would politically support those two
wastes of oxygen in any way, shape, or form
postatomic
(1,771 posts)Pretty easy to digest. Simple word.
Did you read the actual op-ed or are you just going to keep skimming off some internutz site?
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)Granted, they had fine words for Duckworth and McGinty, and noted their gun control efforts.
They even mentioned the House sit-in and pro-gun control Senate filibuster:
Problem is, Kirk and Toomey wanted nothing to do with *any* of that.
Hemming and hawing, aside:
In your own words, why are supposed to be OK with supporting two Republicans
over two Democrats in tight Senate races, in a year where control of the Senate is in play?
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)sarisataka
(18,197 posts)postatomic
(1,771 posts)Neither Gabby or Mark has said that anyone should vote for them. They've merely indicated that these are two (reluctantly endorsed) Republicans. Their agenda is non-partisan and I'm okay with that.
sarisataka
(18,197 posts)did not endorse their Democratic opponents, who also are very pro-gun control. That is recommending people vote for the Republican incumbents over their Democratic challengers.
I do not dispute the Gifford's agenda but I will challenge DUer's who tell us it is "worth it" to support Republicans who voted for one gun control proposal.
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)...the two demonstrably pro-gun control Democrats running against them.
beevul
(12,194 posts)In fact, I KNOW some are.
pablo_marmol
(2,375 posts).......now I believe I've truly heard it all on DU!
discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,470 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)ananda
(28,781 posts)Could it be a ploy to actually help the Dems?
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)NWCorona
(8,541 posts)ForgoTheConsequence
(4,846 posts)These foundations are a joke.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)Just like the CBC Pac
pablo_marmol
(2,375 posts)Yup. The relative silence in response to this OP is quite telling.
appleannie1
(5,042 posts)blight on this state.
pablo_marmol
(2,375 posts)BlueInPhilly
(870 posts)what is he going to do with his Pennsyltucky constituents then? From that vast wasteland of gun toting folks between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,282 posts)A bigger picture would highlight the need to support Democrats.
I would not have expected this from G Giffords.
beevul
(12,194 posts)Because this belongs at the top of LBN right next to the thread about the nra endorsing a Democrat.