Debbie Halvorson goes down in special election. She blames Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun super PAC

[Cali_Democrat]

Debbie Halvorson got an 'A' rating from the NRA. Robin Kelly got an 'F' rating from the NRA and she was proud of it.

Debbie Halvorson concedes, says PAC money played a role

February 26, 2013 (CHICAGO) -- Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson has conceded in the Democratic primary to replace ex-US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., saying it's clear that outside money played a role.

Halvorson said Tuesday night that she's called the primary election winner, former state legislator Robin Kelly.

Halvorson tells the Associated Press it's clear that money poured into the campaign by New York City Michael Bloomberg's super PAC affected the race.

The PAC spent $2 million on anti-gun ads targeting Halvorson for her position on gun control, including her opposition to a ban on assault weapons. Kelly is a strong supporter of gun control and supports such a ban.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=9008581

[hrmjustin]

1. The NRA's candidate goes down, I am truly heartbroken.

[Permanut]

2. Good News..

Time after time we see the wingnuts blaming somebody, anybody, libruls, the Prez, anybody for their failures. They would have us believe that their losses are simply a matter of strategy, of not placing the money smartly enough, or of not countering the librul media effectively. Never do we see them attribute their losses to their policies (which have been dissected in many threads here).

[uppityperson]

30. Wingnut policies are "fiscal responsibility, supporting the constitution? Hhahhahahha

[Permanut]

31. I'll say it again real slow..

which

have

been

dissected

in

many

threads

here

[gejohnston]

3. When did it become OK for anti union billionaires to pour money in out of state elections?

He poured two million in one race against a dark horse that was going against the one favored by TPTB. I disagree with her that Bloomberg made much of a difference.
and when did Democrats become "wing nuts"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Halvorson

[bottomofthehill]

4. Agreed, Lets not get carried away here

This woman was not a right wing nut, she was a Democrat from a conservative district and still voted with the party 94 percent of the time. She was not the devil.

[mucifer]

6. Robin Kelly who won is the progressive candidate endorsed by

Progressive Democrats for America for a lot more than just the gun issue.

Here are some positive things about her other than the gun issue thing:

Kelly has worked in public service[vague] in Illinois for 25 years. She was Director of the Crisis Nursery at Crittenton Care and Counseling Center from 1984 through 1987, then Associate Director of The Youth Shelter from 1987 through 1990. From 1990 through 1992 she was Minority Student Services Director at Bradley University. From 1992 through 2006 she served as a Director of Community Affairs in Matteson. She is co-founder and past president of the Unity Coalition of the South Suburbs.

Kelly has served as a Commissioner on Human Rights in Cook County since 1998, and a Board Member of the Hate Crimes Commission since 2005. She has been a board member for the Rich Township Food Pantry since 1994 and the Illinois Theatre Center since 1993.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Kelly

[Cali_Democrat]

10. Thanks for the info, mucifer

Robin Kelly will be a great rep

[Mojorabbit]

16. Thank you! nt

[sigmasix]

5. NRA superpac was busy?

The nuts with the NRA like to brag about how they support pro-NRA politicians with loads of political spending and voter education outreach. Why didn't the NRA folks come out in support of the pro-NRA politican? I guess super pacs are only evil when they support the enemy.

[DonP]

15. It's surprising to see such a big fan of the Citizen's United decision on DU

Bloomie's Super Pac is a direct result of the SCOTUS CU decision.

I admire your courage, since most DU members are viruelntly opposed to people like the Kochs, Karl Rove and the other Super Pacs that CU made "legit".

Or do you just love it when it's used against a Dem you consider not suitably anti gun?

FWIW, I don't think the NRA supports anyone in local primaries and didn't support Halvorson in her run against JJJr last year's primary either. They did support her in her run against Adam Kinzinger (R) in the old 11th district prior to major redistricting.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Big money can buy elections!

and in other news ...

[ileus]

8. Another progressive D goes down....sad for the people of IL.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Robin Kelly was endorsed by Progressive Democrats for America

She's great....and she has an 'F' rating from the NRA.

[rangatang]

17. Eleven teens die every day in car crashes while texting

Where is the big frenetic push to ban phones?

[Cali_Democrat]

18. Texting while driving has been banned in numerous states

Where ya been?

Oh ya, welcome to DU.

[rangatang]

21. Yes, you're correct...and shooting other people has been banned in all of them.

I'm talking about the notion of banning the -instrument- that is used by people, not the device itself.
Your comparison is a non-sequitor, to be consistent, the anti-gun people assuming their real agenda is to protect people should be lobbying to outlaw mobile phones because they are the exact analogue to guns when it comes to deadly consequences.

[Cali_Democrat]

22. The notion of banning the instrument?

Nobody, from the President to Congress, has even talked about banning all guns.

You've been misinformed.

[gejohnston]

23. not today

but at the rate the definition of "assault weapons" keeps changing........ then there are those "sniper rifles", and what Australian gun control advocates now call "hand machine guns hidden in glove boxes"

[rangatang]

27. Not exactly "nobody"...I've seen a lot of posts right here calling for total bans, but

for the sake of keeping apples compared to apples, where then is the push to ban certain 'features' of those deadly phones. Maybe banning their ability to send texts, that's a completely unnecessary
added capability and does nothing to enhance their basic function. Think of it as like the hysteria
generated by certain cosmetic features of guns...like hand grips that are more vertical than horizontal.

[uppityperson]

19. Maybe you missed all the anti-texting laws?

[Pullo]

11. In in Chicago, what a shock n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

12. Halvorson was leading in the polls

not too long ago. Bloomberg's super PAC then unleashed its fury. This was a Dem primary, but whoever wins it will obviously win the seat.

[Pullo]

13. A pro gun control candidate wins a Democratic primary in Chicago

Doesn't mean much. Now if taking a pro gun stance in, say, rural Alabama cost a candidate a race, Bloomberg's accomplishment would be worth paying attention to.

[TupperHappy]

14. Also consider who she is replacing

I hardly think Jesse Jackson Jr. was a rabid right-winger when it comes to gun policy. Now if she were replacing someone who also had an 'A' rating from the NRA that might actually mean something.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. and it cost him 2 million in Chicago just think how much he will have to spend else where.

Spendya money, Bloomberg - it's good for the economy.

[gejohnston]

24. that's before you get to some of his other projects

http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/12/14/stop-and-frisk-racist-and-ineffective/
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/mayor-bloomberg-tax-hikes-rich-drive-out-1-percent
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/unions-bloomberg_b_2471710.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022378719

This is the absolutely worst part, even worse than the guns issue
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022396599

[jpak]

25. Who's afraid of the NRA?

not these Dems.

yup

[Wyattbw09]

26. Question for those happy with this outcome.

I know this might not be the best way to kick off my time with DU, however it did prompt me to open this account. However, there appears to be some inconsistency between the oft touted idea on DU that big money should get out of controlling the election process and the joy and happiness that some seem to be showing when big money seems to come though for their preferred candidate.

Big outside money influencing this election should be condemned irrespective of who won or lost.

[rangatang]

28. This falls under the rubric of IOKIYAD

yes, it's ironic.