Donnelly opposing assault weapons ban

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Associated Press

NDIANAPOLIS -- Freshman Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly is opposing a ban on assault weapons sought by President Barack Obama.

A Donnelly spokesman told The Associated Press Wednesday that the Indiana lawmaker will vote against the ban but has not decided whether he would support universal background checks.

Donnelly, of Granger, represents a key bloc of moderate to conservative Democrats the president must win over. The announcement also marks a key early stance from Donnelly just a few months after winning a state that went heavily for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in last year's election.

Donnelly called himself "a strong supporter of the Second Amendment" in a statement issued shortly before the Senate Judiciary Committee opened a hearing featuring testimony from National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Read more: http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-donnelly-opposing-assault-weapons-ban-20130131,0,7874537.story

[elleng]

1. F**k!

Someone should send him a copy of the 2d Amendment, AND Heller v DC decision.

[nick of time]

3. Problem is that he represents a very red pro gun state

and he's probably getting an earful from his constituents.

[elleng]

4. Yes, I figured that.

[nick of time]

5. Not saying he's right to oppose,

He's probably just thinking about his political skin.

[elleng]

9. Yes, which means a lot,

but would be nice if these guys would study, and then EXPLAIN. And maybe thereby ingratiate themselves to constituents.

[triplepoint]

2. donnelly = HOOSIER LOOOOOOOOOOOZER!

Anyone Surprised? This coming from a state that though "Daylight Savings Time" was invented for their benefit, refused to implement it. They voted for noxon in the 1960 Presidential Election. The KKK for that state is located in Kokomo. Maybe hoosier David Letterman can talk some sense into donnelly about this. Let's see if he says anything during his show this week.

[geomon666]

6. Coward n/t

[Third Doctor]

7. I kind of figured that.

If he came out for it he would put his newly won seat in danger in a very red state. He is anti choice also.

[FiveGoodMen]

18. What good is having a Dem in the seat if he "thinks" like a republican?

[WI_DEM]

8. He's already thinking ahead to his next election

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. He is up for reelection in 2018

[Doctor_J]

10. NRA has more power than the sane majority of Americans

this issue, like many others, is controlled by a rich, vocal, repulsive minority.

[Arkana]

12. Shock and awe--Blue Dog does some thing Blue Dog-ish.

[leftyohiolib]

13. another lieberman - he should remind his constits of what their hero paul ryan said -

when paulie was makin the tough choices that pissed off the dems they were elected to lead. he's not doing a very good job of expressing that they can have 2200 different handguns and rifles and that even scalia said the 2nd amendment doesnt give you the right to carry anything anywhere.
he took the easy way out ,the route of cowards.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. He is not the only one and there will be more

What DiFi has offered up is a not starter taken as a whole

I think some form of mandatory background checks will get through. Beyond that it is doubtful.

[derby378]

15. This should not come as a surprise to anyone

And look at it this way - he beat a teahadist who made yet another dumb comment about rape. For that, I am thankful.

[Recursion]

16. Manchin will pull him onboard with background checks

At least I hope so.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. That we be about all we will get out of them.........nt

[Skittles]

17. coward representing cowards

[Richard Cleary]

20. Donnelly is a Blue Dog Democrat and has been for a long time.

He voted to censure Eric Holder, the sitting attorney general. Even though his opponent was the tea party scumbag, Richard Mourdock, I did not vote for Donnelly OR Mourdock. Indiana deserves better, although the way the troglodyte voters around here vote, that statement is rather hollow.

IMHO Joe Donnelly is a DINO. He has a primitive and backward view in modern times.