Democratic congressional candidate quits because of NRA ‘A’ rating

[AgingAmerican]

By: David Edwards

A Democratic candidate for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s congressional seat in Illinois has dropped out of the race after she faced an onslaught of advertising about her support for the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Illinois state Sen. Toi Hutchinson announced over the weekend that would end her candidacy and endorsed former state Rep. Robin Kelly (D) in an effort to defeat former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who has opposed President Barack Obama’s effort to ban assault weapons.

...

“The NRA would like members of Congress to believe that politicians who vote for sensible gun regulations will pay the ultimate price come election time,” CREDO super-PAC President Becky Bond said in a statement. “But we’re proving in this race that it’s the politicians who do the NRA’s bidding who will be in trouble when they face the voters.”

More here...

This is exactly what needs to start happening. Make candidates and politicians pay a price for showing support for the psychotic NRA.

[Drale]

1. I've met her a couple of times

and she is not a nice person. She is very much like Rahm in that she thinks she's better than everyone and knows whats best for everyone. The dictator type.

[derby378]

4. If she's clearly not a decent person, then it's good that she dropped out...

...but this does set a dangerous signal that the big tent is vulnerable to teabagger-style tactics to enforce doctrinal purity.

[Drale]

5. Actually it was Blomberg and his gun violence coalition that forced her out

or at least thats what they said on WGN radio yesterday.

[derby378]

7. That could be even worse

Since when does a Republican get to decide the outcome of a Democratic primary?

If true, who does Bloomberg think he is? Karl Rove?

[Drale]

9. I think Bloomberg is more worried about more NRA puppets

getting into congress than who's a Democrat and who's a Republican. If more people thought like that we would have a much better country to live in.

[No Vested Interest]

19. He's been an Independent since 2007

He's never been a strong Republican; was a Democrat until he decided to run for NYC mayor against Dem-endorsed candidates.

[baldguy]

40. Stop spreading the NRA's lies.

Bloomberg left the GOP because of it's insane policies - like supporting the NRA.

[Mojorabbit]

44. It is pretty creepy. nt

[Bandit]

13. Your "dangerous signal" is what others might call Democracy...

There are issues people rally behind.. Republicans have them and so do Democrats. Democratys are not quite so much single issue voters as Republicans tend to be though.. I say put it out there and see which way the wind blows... If it isn't a winnable issue for Democrats then so be it, but I believe that things are changing and being solidly backed by the NRA is not a win for most Democrats...

[derby378]

25. Honestly, I sympathize...

...although I would say that if the issue of reproductive rights comes up, the vast majority of Dems will turn single-issue PDQ.

The only other counter I'd make is that this is still the primary season. Democrats have to choose for themselves whom they want to represent them in the general election, and when you have a bunch of admitted outsiders trying to swing the primary one way or another, that can cause problems.

Otherwise, I agree with your sentiments.

[Mojorabbit]

45. Exactly! nt

[rhett o rick]

14. If she supports issues that the public doesnt support then she needs to go.

And it's called democracy.

[Mojorabbit]

48. It is not if millionaires are buying ads against her.

That is not your everyday Joe making the decision.

[rhett o rick]

49. Why would the elite be against her when she got a A rating from the NRA.

Sounds like a Republican in Demo clothing. Do you have evidence that the elite are targeting her?

[Blue4Texas]

52. Could it be a way of not getting her elected (by DEMS)

If so, NRA morphing into a reverse psychology psychopath

[rhett o rick]

54. LOL. Reverse psychology can only work on someone with half a brain. I'll leave it there. nm

[Blue4Texas]

57. LOL

[Mojorabbit]

55. Because of this?

Hutchinson's decision comes after New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had emerged as the major player in the Illinois Democratic Second Congressional District primary spending--$1.4 million as of Friday--by his anti-gun Independence PAC USA. The PAC started to take aim at Hutchinson on Friday in a massive TV buy.
and
The Bloomberg PAC has been pounding at Halvorson for weeks, coming out for Kelly--and against Hutchinson in that Friday TV spot. PAC spokesman Stefan Friedman told me Saturday the PAC was poised to spend at least $2 million in the contest.
from one of many articles.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2013/02/hutchinson_folds_house_bid_urg.html

[rhett o rick]

68. Wow. That is scary. Thanks for posting. nm

[white_wolf]

21. I, for one, am sick to death of the big tent.

The Democratic Party needs to stand for something.

[EastKYLiberal]

23. Yes. And it's quite a bit of fresh air.

We need more Graysons and Warrens.

[rhett o rick]

50. Then either send your donations directly to them or via PCCC. nm

[morningfog]

37. "Teabagger-style tactics?"

This tent needs adjusting anyway. We can move some people out and bring many others in.

[onehandle]

2. A positive NRA rating is now like having a pro-rape opinion. nt

[malaise]

10. That's very good

Rec

[ErikJ]

18. Radioactively toxic.

[virginia mountainman]

32. that is an amazingly silly thing to say...NT

[Skittles]

70. YOU WISH

fuck the gun nuts - they are going DOWN

[OceanEcosystem]

3. This makes one wonder.........

What if conservative organizations were to deliberately give liberal politicians a glowing "A" or otherwise outstanding rating, in an attempt to sabotage their standing among liberal voters?

[AgingAmerican]

8. I believe it would backfire on them

it would be pretty obvious. 1 would only have to look at their previous statement and positions to see where they stand

[OceanEcosystem]

12. Probably, but during primary elections......

...........When liberal politicians are competing against each other to see who can come across as the most steadfastly liberal - and, vice versa, when conservative politicians are competing to see who can portray themselves as the most steadfastly conservative?


A ringing endorsement from a pro-life organization wouldn't bode well for a pro-choice candidate, and his/her liberal opponents might pounce on it.

[Arkana]

11. Wouldn't work.

People would start to wonder why folks who were vehemently in favor of the assault weapons ban, background checks, etc--and were on the record saying as much--were getting good ratings from the Wayne LaPierre Looney Bin.

[iandhr]

15. I don't think it would occur for them to try.

[calimary]

17. Welcome to DU, OceanEcosystem!

Glad you're here! I LOVE your screen name! Every time you post - we'll think about that!

[OceanEcosystem]

20. Thanks! Appreciate it! =) n/t.

[AverageJoe90]

42. That could very well be plausible, IMO.

Also, welcome to DU.

[iandhr]

16. There are two Dems in the race with a A NRA rating.

Is there a worry her support will flow to the other Dem with the A rating?

[EastKYLiberal]

22. Good. Fuck pro-gun Democrats. nt

[Light House]

24. Does your statement of Fuck pro-gun Democrats

include all gun owning Democrats?

[friendly_iconoclast]

27. For some, it's better to be pure than in power...

[derby378]

28. I feel a Johnny Cash song coming on

[Light House]

29. Apparently so.

I'm wondering if his statement includes all gun owning Democrats.
I'm wondering if we're going to get an answer?

[AtheistCrusader]

46. PURGE THE UNCLEAN

[BainsBane]

58. are you asserting people don't have a right

to representatives that share their priorities?

[AtheistCrusader]

60. No.

I was being sarcastic. You'd be hard pressed to find two people on this site that have precisely the same values across the entire party platform.

[BainsBane]

61. true

but in an inner city district afflicted by as much gun violence as Jackson's, I would guess that the NRA is not viewed favorably there. The Democratic primary is where this election is contested. Like most urban districts, it will not go Republican. I would think it's somewhat similar to my own district, represented by Keith Ellison (MN-05). Thankfully, our rate of gun violence has declined in recent years.

[AtheistCrusader]

62. If we can afford to be picky in that district, cool.

otherwise we stand to lose a lot, if a Repub can take it in the confusion.

[BainsBane]

64. I seriously doubt it

Do you not live in a city?

[AtheistCrusader]

66. My location would qualify as unincorporated.

In fact, it is unincorporated county land outside a town, not a city.

When I lived in Seattle, we had a pretty good hold on Mayor. Now, I'm in a 'red' district.

[BainsBane]

67. I believe most of the gun rights people

are from rural and suburban areas, or so it seems. That would account for some of the differences of opinion. Guns are far more dangerous in cities.

[Duckhunter935]

30. of course it does

we can not be good democrats if we do not hate guns

[Light House]

31. According to a that poster

that seems to be the case.
I own a couple of firearms, not particularly pro or anti gun, but statements like his are sure to turn off rural gun owning Democrats and make it harder for pro gun Dem candidates in red states.

[OceanEcosystem]

43. Sounds almost like those who would say,

"We cannot be good Republicans if we do not love guns."


It is rather oversimplistic.

[friendly_iconoclast]

26. Does that include pro-gun Democrats in Eastern Kentucky?

[virginia mountainman]

33. Yea, since they clearly have NO ONE ELSE to vote for in the voting booth..

Or do they?!?! Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

[LAGC]

35. It's because of attitudes like that...

...that so many state legislatures are solidly controlled by the R's.

I doubt you're going to see the Kentucky Senate turn over with that kind of outlook any-time soon.

[TheCowsCameHome]

34. The NRA is toxic,

and deservedly so.

[AgingAmerican]

36. I truly believe the NRA has crossed over from 'toxic' to flat out madness

LaPierre's rants have become detached and paranoid. Guns for hurricanes, guns for tornadoes, guns for riots, guns for gargoyles and zombies. Guns for the end times. Guns as the end all for every situation.

Madness.

[Agnosticsherbet]

38. Good, there is no longer any room for NRA Corporate lackeys. n/t

[valerief]

39. Drive away the DINOs like DDT to mosquitoes. nt

[riderinthestorm]

41. Chicago is experiencing an epic gang murder spree right now. ANY politician

who has an A rating from the NRA should be in trouble in light of what the local communities here are experiencing - especially Jesse Jackson Jr's constituents.

Its not only important to shut down these candidates nationally but in light of the local dynamics at play here, its doubly important to make these points when we justifiably can, where the message hits home very powerfully.

Here we can.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

53. Since "Chicago is experiencing an epic gang murder spree," and since 911 calls for burglaries may be

disregarded by the Chicago police (It's been in the news), law-abiding homeowners should not be able to own firearms in their homes for self-defense.

Yea, that will show the NRA.

[riderinthestorm]

56. Something like 50,000 deaths are related to guns in households each year - suicide, homicide etc.

The easy accessibility to a weapon that your homeowner believes they need to protect themselves from a hypothetical intruder ensures that even MORE People die because they've left it out. Interestingly, most burglaries are committed by people we know. Locked doors and windows are the best protection against being burgled, not a gun.

Furthermore, NOT locking up your weapon makes it a fair target to get stolen.

I don't want restrict a single weapon. I advocate for them to be locked up or the homeowner faces prosecution for the damage their gun has wrought.

A very, very small number of people die in a home burglary (its something like 1000 people the last time I read the NCVS report). Most of those would have found better protection with locked doors and a dog. Is the easy accessibility to a gun a fair trade-off for 50k dead people every year?

Regardless this many dead people doesn't appear to "show" the NRA anything since clearly they don't give a shit. Are you concerned about Chicago's current murder spree or are you more worried about protecting your stuff?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

59. In Bill Clinton's autobiography, he attributes the loss of Congress in 1994 to the first AWB.

What some of the firearm-owning Democrats and firearm-owning Independents were opposed to was irrational legislation.

Opposing certain firearms on the basis of cosmetic appearances, for some, is irrational.

Opposing allowing law-abiding homeowners to make choices, and choose whether to own a firearm in the home for self-defense, is also irrational to some people.

What I am opposed to is authoritarianism, irrationality, and the loss of more elections. The fact that a Democratic candidate in a safe district is now representing the interests of the big-money people who want further restrictions on firearm ownership (even irrational restrictions) does not mean that anti-gun positions taken by some Democrats will have no effect on elections involving other Democratic candidates. Senator Dianne Feinstein, for example, represents the rich and the super-rich while publicly opposing the private ownership of firearms. She is a known firearm owner, however.

Adopting and promoting irrational authoritarian positions is not consistent with liberal values. Irrationally reducing choices for those who want to be able to lawfully defend themselves in their homes or discourage home invasions is not consistent with liberal values. Anyone who tells you that all good liberals are opposed to gun ownership is blowing smoke at you.

[derby378]

63. Let's be clear about something...

Pistol grips and muzzle brakes are not "cosmetic" features. They improve the handling and stability of the gun in question.

Otherwise, I'm in agreement.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

65. I am not sure that we have anything to disagree about. Someone other than me may have said that

pistol grips and muzzle brakes are cosmetic features, or only cosmetic features, but I have not.

[samsingh]

47. this is good - the nra is an embarrassment

[AnotherMcIntosh]

51. A White woman candidate who represented a prominately White district outside of Chicago

has a chance of winning a Congressional seat in a predominately Black district that was represented by Jesse Jackson, Jr?

And the reason that she will be defeated is due to her opposition to anti-gun positions?

Yea. She might otherwise be blessed by some if she opposed the ruling in the Heller decision? How irrational of her.

[Coolest Ranger]

69. Excellent more of these folks need to follow her example and quit

[Veri1138]

71. This is precisely what needs to happen...

"This is exactly what needs to start happening. Make candidates and politicians pay a price for showing support for the psychotic NRA."

And the Banks.

And Wall Street.

And Private-Public Investment rip-offs and scams (Democrats, Republicans, Obama is in State of the Commerce Chamber speech).

And for Presidents who put Social Security on the table (Obama)

And a President and Politicians who pass health care that is a gift to health care corporations (Republicans, Democrats, Obama).

And appointing crony Wall Streeters to government positions to regulate the financial industry (Democrats, Obama, Republicans).

And writing laws to benefit investors in the destruction of the USPS (Republicans).

The list could go on. You get the point. And quite frankly, while gun control is a serious issue, the unintended consequences are to detract from other ills of society.

[Turbineguy]

72. Actually, that's a great way

for the NRA to nobble elections.