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Indianapolis, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly’s campaign for U.S. Senate unveiled a web video from Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia outlining why we need leaders like Joe in the U.S. Senate.
“Joe gets it,” Senator Manchin says in the video. “And I’m asking each one of you to go out and support Joe Donnelly. At the end of the day, I know Joe’s the right person because Joe will make a vote based on what’s best for his country and not taking in consideration his political party, affiliation, or his own political interests--but what’s best for this country. That’s the type of people we need in Washington. That’s why we need Joe Donnelly in the United States Senate.”
Watch the video here.
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Indianapolis, Ind.--Joe Donnelly, candidate for U.S. Senate, visited Park Regency Senior Community this morning to participate in a meet and greet with residents. Donnelly discussed his support for Social Security and Medicare as compared to Richard Mourdock, who questioned the constitutionality of both programs and supports turning Medicare into a voucher system.
“We must protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations,” said Donnelly. “My opponent has not only questioned the constitutionality of these programs so important to Hoosier seniors--he has also supported turning Medicare into a voucher program, increasing out-of-pocket costs by over $6,000 per year, per senior. Further, he would gamble with seniors’ Social Security benefits by privatizing the program. Many seniors who rely on these programs for benefits and health care cannot afford what Mr. Mourdock has proposed.”
BACKGROUND
Mourdock challenged the constitutionality of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. In April 2011, Mourdock spoke at a Madison Tea Party event and stated, “Sixty percent of our budget, sixty percent of our budget this year, will be for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. I challenge you in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution where those so-called enumerated powers are listed. I challenge you to find words that talk about Medicare or Medicaid or, yes, even Social Security. You know, Article I, Section 8 says the U.S. government shall have the power to tax to pay off its debts, to pay for its defense, and then it says to provide for the general welfare.” [Madison IN Tea Party 4/16/11 event transcription, youtube.com, accessed 5/20/11]
Mourdock’s Plan Would End Medicare Guarantee... Mourdock bases his budget on a plan that would dismantle Medicare and instead force seniors to accept vouchers to purchase health care coverage in the private market but says it “doesn’t go far enough.” Under the Mourdock’s Plan, seniors would pay over $6,000 more a year in health care costs. [Purdue University Appearance, 3/21/12; Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/2011 ; Senate Vote 77, 5/25/11; House Vote 277, 4/15/11, Vote 151, 3/29/12]
...and Increase Out-of-Pocket Costs For Seniors By Over $6,000 Per Year. Experts note that this plan would shift costs to beneficiaries and undermine traditional Medicare while generating few budgetary savings. [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 12/21/11]
Mourdock Supports Privatizing Social Security, Handing Over Seniors’ Hard-Earned Money to Wall Street. [OnTheIssues.org, accessed 8/13/12]
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Indianapolis, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly’s campaign for U.S. Senate unveiled its latest ad displaying Richard Mourdock’s troubling pattern of extreme opinions.
“Not only has Richard Mourdock said he wants to ‘inflict’ his opinions on us, he has shown a troubling pattern of extreme positions that are out of touch with Hoosier middle class families,” said Elizabeth Shappell, communications director. “He has questioned the constitutionality of Social Security and Medicare, he said pregnancies resulting from rape are something God intended, and claimed he didn’t take a pledge to support every job in Indiana. Hoosiers deserve a common sense, middle-of-the-road leader like Joe Donnelly, not an extremist like Richard Mourdock.”
Watch the new ad here.
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Script
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Citation
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Narrator: He says he wants to...
Mourdock: ...to inflict my opinion on someone else. |
Richard Mourdock says the “highlight” of politics is the chance to “inflict” your opinion on someone else. [Daily Rundown, 5/9/12] |
| Narrator: And Richard Mourdock’s opinions: Pregnancy cause by rape is something “God intended.” |
During the second debate between between the three candidates for U.S. Senate, Mourdock argued that pregnancies resulting from rape are intended by God. [Second Indiana Senate Debate, 10/23/12] |
| He says Medicare and Social Security are unconstitutional. |
Mourdock Challenged The Constitutionality Of Social Security, Medicare, And Medicaid. In April 2011, Mourdock spoke at a Madison Tea Party event and stated “Sixty percent of our budget, sixty percent of our budget this year, will be for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. I challenge you in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution where those so-called enumerated powers are listed. I challenge you to find words that talk about Medicare or Medicaid or, yes, even Social Security. You know, Article I, Section 8 says the U.S. government shall have the power to tax to pay off its debts, to pay for its defense, and then it says to provide for the general welfare.” [Madison TEA Party Rally, 4/16/11] |
| He attacks jobs creation, saying he “didn’t take a pledge that I would support every job in Indiana.” |
Mourdock On Chrysler Lawsuit: “I Didn't Take A Pledge That I Would Support Every Job In Indiana.” In 2010, reported the Indianapolis Star, “Mourdock counters that he didn't place jobs in jeopardy, because he didn't manage Chrysler into bankruptcy. He said he's received ‘lots of pats on the backs’ for fighting to protect retirees. ‘I didn't take a pledge that I would support every job in Indiana under whatever means it takes to do it,’ Mourdock said. ‘The oath I took said I would support the laws of Indiana and support the Constitution of the United States. Constitutional rights for people for which I had a fiduciary responsibility were being violated, and I had no choice to do what I did. I certainly have no regrets.’” [Indianapolis Star, 10/19/10] |
| Newspapers call Mourdock’s out of the mainstream attacks a troubling pattern. |
The Indianapolis Star Called Mourdock’s Repeated Poor Choice of Words “A Troubling Pattern.” The newspaper editorialized that “The latest controversy to envelop Mourdock confirms a troubling pattern: He's a poor communicator who fails to understand that as a high-profile leader he must use good judgment in the words he chooses and the topics he decides to expound upon.”[Indianapolis Star, 10/25/12]
The Louisville Courier-Journal Called Mourdock A “Tea Party Extremist.” The newspaper argued that Mourdock “exceeded extreme” in claiming that pregnancies from rape are “what God intended.” [Louisville Courier-Journal, 10/25/12]
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette Says That Mourdock’s Frequently Cited Comments “Are Not ‘Gotcha’ Statements Taken Out of Context.” “Mourdock has repeatedly and infamously denounced bipartisanship, even saying that if he is elected but the Democrats continue to control the Senate, his only job will be to campaign to gain the majority.” [Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, 10/22/12] |
| My way or the highway, the wrong way for Indiana. |
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Newspapers across Indiana on Richard Mourdock’s my way or the highway approach to politics.
“It was clear even before the latest controversy that Donnelly was better prepared.” Indianapolis Star.
“Extremist” says the Courier Journal
Mourdock calls Medicare and social security unconstitutional.
“Disastrous… for the state” says the Indianapolis Star.
On jobs, Mourdock says he “didn't take a pledge that I would support every job in Indiana.”
“Mourdock has repeatedly opposed working with the other political side” says the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.
For eliminating the Department of Education, deep cuts to veterans.
“Troubling and strictly partisan” says the Lafayette Journal and Courier.
More gridlock, more partisanship, more confrontation.
Indiana can do better.
Jeffersonville, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly, candidate for U.S. Senate, traveled southern Indiana with former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton highlighting Donnelly's support for serving those who served us.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who are currently serving and who have served our country,” said Donnelly. “That is why I am honored to have my friend, former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton, here with me today to meet with veterans across southern Indiana. We must ensure that the men and women who have fought for our country have the health care and benefits they earned, as well as education and job opportunities when they come home.”
Secretary Dalton said, "Joe Donnelly is a leader in every sense of the word. His passion and work in assisting veterans while serving in Congress, including the support of a post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights, is the type of common sense, bipartisan leadership we need in the U.S. Senate today."
Donnelly and Secretary Dalton started their morning with breakfast with veterans and volunteers at Perkfection Cafe in Jeffersonville, then will visit American Legion Post 28 in New Albany. Later, they will join veterans in Evansville for lunch at the Hornet’s Nest.
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Indianapolis, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly’s campaign responded to Richard Mourdock’s latest ad trying to change the subject from his pattern of extreme TEA Party views.
“Hoosier voters are rejecting Richard Mourdock’s pattern of TEA Party extreme positions, so he is desperate to change the subject,” said Paul Tencher, campaign manager. “In fact, Indiana voters are responding to Joe’s message of working with both parties to get things done for middle class families. The only person playing politics in this race is Mr. Mourdock, as he tries to distract voters from his extreme views that are out of the mainstream.”
| Script |
The Truth |
| Narrator: The press is calling Joe Donnelly’s distorted personal attacks “sleazy.” Donnelly and his liberal allies have gone too far. |
The Louisville Courier-Journal: “Really? God intended that a woman be raped and become pregnant?” The editorial continued, “Voters of Indiana, wake up! Especially women voters! Polls show the race to be a dead heat and people who support Mr. Mourdock need to understand exactly who they would be sending to Washington.” [Louisville Courier-Journal, 10/24/12]
The Indianapolis Star: “A Troubling Pattern.” The Indianapolis Star editorialized, “The latest controversy to envelop Mourdock confirms a troubling pattern: He's a poor communicator who fails to understand that as a high-profile leader he must use good judgment in the words he chooses and the topics he decides to expound upon.
“As a U.S. senator, Mourdock would be called on frequently to communicate with other elected leaders, with the national news media and even with leaders from other countries. If elected, his inability, or perhaps refusal, to be more precise in his communications could lead to disastrous results for the state and the nation.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/24/12] |
| Attacking Richard Mourdock’s religious faith and twisting his words. Playing politics and distracting from the real issues. |
Christian Science Monitor Theologian: Mourdock Contrary to Anything in Scripture. The Christian Science Monitor argued that “[t]he furor extends into Evangelical camps, too. Believers have taken Mr. Mourdock to task for bungling the important doctrine of providence, which holds that a benevolent God upholds and cares for an imperfect world.” The Monitor quoted one theologian, who said Mourdock’s words were “offensive,” and that “[t]he clumsiness is [to] so align God with evil that God becomes a horrific figure. It’s contrary to anything you read in scripture, and it removes the human responsibility.” [Christian Science Monitor, 10/25/12]
Former Chicago Theological Seminary president: Pregnancy from rape is not God’s will. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite wrote on the Washington Post’s On Faith Blog: “No, God does not ‘cause’ either rape or conception following rape, nor is this ‘God’s intention.’ Rape is a crime.
“Rape is an offense to God, and violates God’s intention for human life. I believe the goal of human life, in the case of my Christian faith, is what Jesus taught: ‘Love God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27)”
Her commentary continued: “But frankly, Mr. Mourdock, the theological errors pale in comparison to the failure of compassion your comment exhibits. Your comments are contributing to the hurt and the self-blaming of women and girls who have already been violated.” [Washington Post, 10/24/12] |
| Stopping the Reid-Pelosi agenda. Repealing Obamacare. Getting our economy back on track. |
Mourdock Challenged The Constitutionality Of Social Security, Medicare, And Medicaid. Reported the Evansville Courier & Press, “‘I challenge you in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution where those so-called enumerated powers are listed. I challenge you to find words that talk about Medicare or Medicaid or, yes, even Social Security,’ he [Mourdock] said then. He does not specifically refer to the programs as unconstitutional, and does not call for their repeal. He does, though, say: ‘Nowhere is the word entitlement present in the enumerated powers.’” The newspaper continues, “‘It [A MaorityPAC Ad] also says Mourdock claimed "a plan that essentially ends Medicare’ — a reference to the proposal by Republican Mitt Romney's running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, to instead hand seniors a voucher to purchase private insurance — does not go far enough. He has praised Ryan's plan, but said in a meeting with Purdue University's College Republicans chapter that he doesn't think it ‘goes far enough, fast enough to start to roll back the scope of government.’” [Evansville Courier & Press, 8/23/12]
Mourdock’s budget will increase health care costs in retirement by $11,000 for the average person who is 65 years old today. [Center for American Progress, 8/24/12]
Mourdock’s budget will result in the tax increases for middle class families. A typical household earning between $50,000 and $100,000 and filing jointly, under Mourdock’s plan, will face a tax increase of $1,358 at the 10% bracket. If that family is placed in the 25% bracket, their tax increase more than doubles to $2,938. A family earning between $100,000 and $200,000, under Mourdock’s plan, faces a tax increase of $2,681. [JEC, 6/20/12]
Mourdock’s budget would make it harder for American families to send their kids to college. "The Department of Education would be cut by more than $115 billion over a decade. 9.6 million students would see their Pell Grants fall by more than $1000 in 2014, and, over the next decade, over one million students would lose support altogether." [OMB, 3/21/12]
Mourdock told the Indianapolis Star that Hoosier jobs weren’t his responsibility. “I didn't take a pledge that I would support every job in Indiana under whatever means it takes to do it. The oath I took said I would support the laws of Indiana and support the Constitution of the United States. Constitutional rights for people for which I had a fiduciary responsibility were being violated, and I had no choice to do what I did. I certainly have no regrets.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/19/10] |
| It’s time for principled Hoosier leadership. It’s time for Richard Mourdock. |
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Indianapolis, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly’s campaign responded to the latest attack ad from Richard Mourdock’s national friends.
“Richard Mourdock has a pattern of extreme TEA Party positions that his special interest friends are trying to hide,” said Elizabeth Shappell, communications director. “Hoosier voters aren’t buying what Mr. Mourdock is selling: questioning the constitutionality of Social Security and Medicare, cutting $5 billion from Hoosier students, and trying to eliminate over 100,000 Hoosier jobs. So, Mourdock’s friends are trying to mislead the voters of Indiana. The truth is, Joe Donnelly has a proven record of breaking with his party to do what is right for middle class families here in Indiana.”
| Script |
The Truth |
| Narrator: Obama and Pelosi’s reckless spending put us $16 trillion in debt. And Joe Donnelly said yes. |
Joe Donnelly has voted against $2.4 trillion in federal spending. [2011 Roll Call 690; 2011 Roll Calls 154, 179, 253, 268; 2009 Roll Calls 369, 502, 623, 625, 636, 991; H.R. 1105 Roll Call #86; 2011 Roll Call #941; 2007 Roll Calls #454,456, 457, 467, 468, 520, 524, 539, 545, 571, 572, 601, 602, 659, 681, 682, 683, 709, 710, 740, 741, 742]
Joe Donnelly supports a Balanced Budget Amendment. The Evansville Courier & Press reported that Donnelly would vote yes on the Balanced Budget Amendment, writing “U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, the only Democratic candidate in the race, said he will be among the “yes” votes when the House on Friday takes up a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to balance the federal budget.” [Evansville Courier & Press 11/17/11]
Joe Donnelly has returned more than $600,000 to the Treasury from his office budget since being elected to Congress. [disbursements.house.gov, 2007-2011] |
| Obama and Pelosi wasted billions on the failed stimulus. And Joe Donnelly said yes. |
Recovery Act Included $288 Billion In Tax Cuts. From PolitiFact: “Nearly a third of the cost of the stimulus, $288 billion, comes via tax breaks to individuals and businesses. The tax cuts include a refundable credit of up to $400 per individual and $800 for married couples; a temporary increase of the earned income tax credit for disadvantaged families; and an extension of a program that allows businesses to recover the costs of capital expenditures faster than usual. The tax cuts aren't so much spending as money the government won't get -- so it can stay in the economy.” [PolitiFact.com, 2/17/10] |
| Obama and Pelosi fought for a massive middle class tax hike. And Joe Donnelly said yes. |
Joe Donnelly opposes allowing present tax rates to expire on any income levels. Reported the New York Times, “Representative Joe Donnelly, a Democrat running for an Indiana Senate seat, announced Tuesday he would vote for the Republican plan to extend all the Bush-era income tax rates when it comes up in the House next week.”[New York Times, 7/24/2012] |
| A vote for Joe Donnelly is a vote for the Obama-Pelosi agenda. Say no to their yes man. |
Donnelly is independent of President Obama, routinely voting against Obama-Democratic budgets because of overspending. He supports a line item veto, opposes increases in the gas tax, and wants to take tax breaks away from companies that ship jobs overseas. [Kokomo Tribune, 3/13/10; Fort Wayne News Sentinel, 6/2/12]
Joe Donnelly opposed the President more than 30% of the time and broke with his party more than all but six Democrats. [CQ Custom Member Profile, 2/2012; National Journal Vote Rankings 2011]
Joe Donnelly has voted with John Boehner nearly 60% of the time over his lifetime. [Opencongress.org, accessed 10/15/12]
In 2009, Donnelly voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, commonly known as Cap and Trade. The Associated Press reported that although 211 Democrats and 8 Republicans backed the legislation, Donnelly believed it could jeopardize jobs. “The legislation has too many uncertainties in terms of the effect it would have on manufacturers and other businesses and the Hoosiers they employ,” Donnelly said. “In particular, I am very concerned that the bill would put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other emerging economic powers like China and India.” [Associated Press, 6/27/09]
In July 2011, Donnelly voted in favor of passage of a bill which would speed up the decision by the Obama administration on the Keystone Oil Pipeline. According to the Associated Press, “lawmakers endorsed a Nov. 1 deadline for the State Department to decide whether to approve the $7 billion project. A Canadian company wants to build a 1,900-mile pipeline to carry crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas.” [Associated Press, 7/26/11] The bill passed, 279-147. [HR 1938, Vote #650, 7/26/11]
In 2010, Donnelly voted against the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to legal residency for hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants first brought to the United States illegally by their parents. Donnelly also criticized the Justice Department’s lawsuit against the state of Arizona over the state’s immigration law. “The federal government should have stayed out of it. Arizona is trying to deal with a large amount of challenges that they have because of their location. We’d be a lot better off at the federal level by providing additional border agents and providing additional assistance than filing suit.” [HR 5281, Vote #625, 12/08/10; South Bend Tribune, 9/28/10] |
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Indianapolis, Ind.--Today, Joe Donnelly’s campaign for U.S. Senate unveiled its latest ad telling Hoosier voters what exactly Richard Mourdock would cost them.
“A Senator Mourdock would be costly to Hoosiers,” said Paul Tencher, campaign manager. “Not only would he allow tax breaks for companies that export jobs to China, he’d protect billions in tax breaks for oil companies. He’d increase out-of-pocket healthcare costs for Indiana seniors by thousands of dollars a year. Joe Donnelly will take the best ideas from both parties to get things done for the middle class.”
Watch the new Donnelly ad here.
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Script
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Citation
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| Narrator: My way or the highway will cost Hoosiers. Mourdock’s way – tax breaks for companies that export jobs to China. |
Current tax law allows relocation deductions for companies that ship jobs overseas. Politifact reported “Robert E. Scott, senior international economist with the Economic Policy Institute...confirmed that relocation expenses are deductible and that existing tax law makes no distinction between whether a company moves part of its operations to another state or to another country. "[Politifact, 9/27/10] |
| Billions in tax breaks for oil companies. |
Mourdock’s budget protects $40 Billion in tax breaks for big oil companies.
[ThinkProgress, 3/21/12] |
$6,000 more a year for seniors in fees for Medicare.
Mourdock’s way is the wrong way. |
Mourdock’s plan would raise out of pocket costs by more than $6,000 per year. The New York Times reported in an editorial, “Even so, the plan would leave older Americans on average with $6,400 in extra costs by 2022, according to the Congressional Budget Office.” [New York Times, 8/13/12] |
| Joe Donnelly broke with his own party to extend all the Bush tax cuts, |
Joe Donnelly opposes allowing present tax rates to expire on any income levels. Reported the New York Times, “Representative Joe Donnelly, a Democrat running for an Indiana Senate seat, announced Tuesday he would vote for the Republican plan to extend all the Bush-era income tax rates when it comes up in the House next week.”[New York Times, 7/24/2012] |
| for a balanced budget amendment, he’ll put Hoosier jobs ahead of China. |
The Evansville Courier & Press reported that Donnelly would vote “yes” on the Balanced Budget Amendment. “U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, the only Democratic candidate in the race, said he will be among the “yes” votes when the House on Friday takes up a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to balance the federal budget.” [Evansville Courier & Press 11/17/11] |
Donnelly: Let’s take the best ideas of both parties, work together and get things done for the middle class.
I’m Joe Donnelly and I approve this message. |
Joe Donnelly opposed the President more than 30% of the time and broke with his party more than all but six Democrats. [CQ Custom Member Profile, 2/2012; National Journal Vote Rankings 2011]
Joe Donnelly has voted with John Boehner nearly 60% of the time over his lifetime. [Opencongress.org, accessed 10/15/12] |
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"Richard Mourdock embodies blind partisanship." [Editorial, Elkhart Truth, 5/4/12]
“I don’t believe we need more bipartisanship in Washington.” [Tea Party Rally, Elkhart, IN, 9/2/11]
“We need some zealots.” [GOP Straw Poll, Delaware and Henry Counties, 2/25/12]
"A hard-core ideologue." [Editorial, Indianapolis Star, 4/27/12]
“To me, the highlight of politics, frankly, is to inflict my opinion on someone else.” [Daily Rundown, MSNBC, 5/9/12]
"Mourdock would gut Medicare and education." [ABC News, 5/7/12; Editorial Board Meeting, Northwest Indiana Times, 4/28/12]
"A vote for Mourdock is a vote for continued gridlock in Congress." [Editorial, Northwest Indiana Times, 5/1/12]
Indianapolis, Ind.-- U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly won the second of two debates in the Indiana Senate race tonight as TEA Party candidate Richard Mourdock simply repeated his “my way or the highway” gridlock politics.
“Joe Donnelly won his second debate because he stood for Hoosier common sense,” said Paul Tencher, Donnelly campaign manager. “In his last chance to talk to voters statewide, Richard Mourdock kept up his ‘my way or the highway’ campaign with baseless and careless attacks. Joe Donnelly proved to Hoosiers that he will continue their tradition of Senators like Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh who aren’t limited by their party and work with others. While Joe Donnelly is a true fiscal conservative who will focus on job creation by working across the aisle, Mr. Mourdock proved his disinterest in bipartisanship. Richard Mourdock will gladly continue his Washington Way of inflicting his opinion on others.”
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