Congressman Joe Donnelly represents the moderate nature of Indiana much better than his Republican opponent Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Donnelly is a Blue Dog, however he has voted with the people in some significant areas and I don't doubt that he would vote with the middle class as Senator as opposed to Evan Bayh who voted with corporations in the name of "centrism".
Richard Mourdock is the wrong choice for Indiana, as he once said that Medicare AND Social Security are unconstitutional. He opposed saving the auto industry and would obstruct and do all the other typical GOP games if elected. And below the fleur-de-Kos I will detail Joe Donnelly's voting record with the good and the bad.
Donnelly has a clear record of looking after the middle class on economic issues. He voted for Dodd-Frank. He voted to modify bankruptcy rules to help avoid foreclosures, he voted for the stimulus, voted to monitor TARP funds so that mortage relief could be better ensured, voted to rescue GM and Chrysler rather than let them go bankrupt like the GOP wanted them to, voted to stop gas price gouging. He also voted for a2007 version of ENDA(Employee Non-Discrimination Act). Donnelly scored an 86% rating from the UFCW(United Food and Commercial Workers International Union) indicating a pro-labor record. Poopdogcomedy had a great diary detailing more about how Donnelly is pro-labor as well.
Donnelly also has a good record on campaign finance and other governmental reforms. In 2009, he voted no to a Senate pay raise. In 2007, he voted yes to more disclosure on bundled contributions. Donnelly also co-sponsored a ban on Congressional stock trading based on insider knowledge. Donnelly also voted yes to giving the District of Columbia more representation(giving DC an electoral vote and a vote in Congress).
Donnelly also has a excellent record on health care including his brave yes vote for Obamacare, and voting yes to allowing price negotiation on prescriptions.
Donnelly has a very mixed record on environmental issues however. He voted no to ACES, voted yes to more offshore drillingand voted yes to bar the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. He has voted at least three times for more renewable energy tax credits.
Donnelly is also anti-choice. NARAL gives him a 20% score. (For perspective, he is still the third best on choice in the Indiana delegation however. Andre Carson and Peter Visclosky are better with a 100% rating. The Republicans including soon-to-be ex-Senator Richard Lugar have 0% ratings.). Donnelly is a Catholic and his voting record has been very similar to the church's teachings.
Currently, Real Clear Politics ranks the Indiana Senate race as a pure toss-up(if you got rid of Rasmussen it would Lean Democratic). Nate Silver currently has Indiana as lean Democratic in the Senate race and says that the GOP Senate hopes are still going down even as Romney is polling better.
Joe Donnelly as evidenced by his voting record is economically progressive and socially conservative(for a Democrat). As Senator he would stand up for the Middle Class and help protect Medicare and Social Security. He would help us towards a truly universal health care system. And he would support President Obama on many important matters while Mourdock would oppose Obama on all matters. The first Indiana Senate debate is tomorrow. May the Indiana voters see who is really on their side.
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