New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Super PAC, Independence USA PAC, said in a press release and in a video, that "former Rep. Debbie Halvorson has an "abysmal gun safety record," Capitol Fax's Rich Miller reported late yesterday.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg formed the Super PAC last fall, promising to "to direct millions of dollars in donations to elect candidates from both parties who he believes will focus on problem solving." The purpose of Bloomberg's Super PAC is to promote candidates that favor "legalizing same-sex marriage, overhauling schools and enacting tougher gun laws."
Debbie Halvorson has earned an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) by virtue of her voting record. Halvorson's main opponent, Robin Kelly, by contrast, has an "F" rating from the NRA.
The Independence USA PAC said that is has "purchased" significant TV air time to blast the candidacy of Debbie Halvorson, according to Crain's Chicago Business political editor, Greg Hinz. The crowded field of seventeen Democratic candidates also includes former State Representative Robin Kelly, whose NRA rating is an "F." Robin Kelly's name is at the top of the Illinois ballot and that is a huge advantage in a crowded field.
Debbie Halvorson is running for Congress in the Illinois 2nd Congressional district race to fill the seat left vacant by Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation and had actively sought the endorsement of the NRA.
The Independence USA PAC said that Debbie Halvorson "voted for the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, a bill that would allow criminals to carry loaded, hidden guns in Chicago."
“Throughout her years in Washington and Springfield, Debbie Halvorson’s record on gun safety has been entirely devoid of any semblance of the kind of common-sense reforms that will keep Americans safer from the scourge of gun violence,” said Stefan Friedman, spokesman for Independence USA PAC.
The press release concluded that "many other candidates in the crowded field have come out on behalf of reasonable measures that would help keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and make Americans safer."
One of those "other" candidates is Robin Kelly, who stands out above the crowd by her strong stand on "gun control." In fact, Robin Kelly is the "only" viable candidate in the field that has such an exemplary record on "gun control."
Former state representative and longtime friend and ally of President Barack Obama, Robin Kelly, has taken a stand for stronger laws to protect citizens from senseless gun violence. In fact, Robin Kelly's very first bill as a Illinois state legislator in the House criminalized the straw purchase of firearms. In the Illinois Senate, one of the bill's co-sponsors was a bright, up-and-coming young state senator, Barack Obama. The bill passed the Illinois House 112 to 4 and became effective on Aug. 7, 2003. Robin Kelly vows to continue to work with President Barack Obama on "common sense" gun legislation.
Robin Kelly is running an open and honest campaign and will not tell the voters necessarily what they want to hear depending on the audience.
Gun control is an issue that is "front and center" in this special election.
Robin Kelly has taken the lead on the issues, getting out front on the issue of gun control and also released a new campaign video today entitled “Enough,” that powerfully delivers the message of the need for stronger gun control.
Robin Kelly vowed that if elected to congress, she will:
• Pass a strong, comprehensive ban on assault weapons.
• Eliminate the gun show loophole.
• Ban the use of high capacity ammunition magazines, like those used in Newtown and Aurora.
• Pledge never to receive support from organizations, like the NRA, that oppose reasonable gun safety legislation.
• Support current laws that prohibit conceal and carry permits.
Another one of the viable candidates in the race, State Senator Toi Hutchinson, also has earned an NRA "A" rating: twice. Robin Kelly has called on Toi Hutchinson to publically release their National Rifle Association questionnaires they filled out in previous elections.
In the case of Toi Hutchinson, The National Rifle Association’s 2012 questionnaire for Illinois state legislature candidates directly addresses questions about assault weapons bans and bans on high capacity ammunition magazines:
• Question 10: Do you support state legislation banning the lawful manufacture, possession, ownership, purchase, sale and/or transfer of any firearms?
• Question 11: Would you support state legislation restricting the possession, ownership, purchase, sale and/or transfer of semi-automatic firearms used for hunting, competitive shooting, collecting and self-defense?
• Question 12: Would you support restricting or banning magazines that hold more than ten rounds?
How does Senator Toi Hutchinson answer those questions? Can we conclude those answers were to the liking of the NRA?
Unless proven otherwise by the Toi Hutchinson campaign, the answer is "yes." The answers were to the liking of the NRA.
To donate to the Robin Kelly for Congress campaign, click on the contribution page.
Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions or even to volunteer for Robin Kelly at johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books
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