Thread by @WafflerDave

1) You've probably seen the article on @DinoRossiWA's response to the $414,000 in NRA donations he received in his 2010 campaign.

issaquahreporter.com/news/rossi-res…

2) Here's an article that states he received $414,000, in a losing cause

washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/…

3) Now, Dino's campaign manager - is Dino unable to address the issue himself? - says:
"However, Rossi’s campaign manager Andrew Bell pointed out that this spending was not a donation from the NRA to Rossi’s campaign, but was an independent expenditure on the part of the NRA."

4) "Political action committees are legally limited in what they can directly contribute to federal candidates, but they are free to spend what they like independently, as long as they do not coordinate this spending with the candidate."

5) "Coordinating with Rossi would have been “highly illegal,” Bell said.
“A different organization [from Rossi’s campaign] spent that money eight years ago, without consulting him,” Bell stressed. “It didn’t have anything to do with Dino’s Senate campaign.”

6) "He pointed out that in the grand scheme of elections, $400,000 isn’t the biggest amount spent on a single candidate"

7) So to sum up:
-Dino didn't ask for the $414k-but he didn't try to stop it either
-$414k isn't that much money ($414k isn't much money? Really?)
-Dino didn't say a word about the A rating the NRA gave him
-didn't say about the NRA endorsement
nraila.org/articles/20100…

8) Dino then goes to give some vague statements:
"Rossi told the Reporter that he supports legislation that works toward preventing any future mass shootings, such as increasing mental health resources, enforcing current firearm laws and cracking down on any... "

9) “technologies that can functionally turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic ones.”
“I’m willing to listen and talk with anyone who wants to work in good faith to advance solutions to gun violence that are effective and Constitutional,” Rossi said.

10) "In terms of background checks, Rossi believes “Congress should review and update background check policy to make sure guns stay out of the hands of people who are not legally allowed to own them.”

11) "He is “waiting to see what gains traction in Congress before weighing in on all of the potential changes."

12) Let's look at those statements. First is the mental health issue. No statement from Dino on Trump removing mental health restrictions on people buying guns. This is standard deflection from the gun issue.
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/t…

13) Then there is bump stock issue. That passed in WA, after Dino left office. He didn't do anything on that issue while he was in office.

14) Background checks? "Congress should review and update background check policy" - Again nothing specific here.

15) Finally, he is "waiting to see what gains traction in Congress before weighing in on all of the potential changes."
Wow folks - is that the leadership you were looking for?

16) But - good news - Dino said he is willing to listen to sensible solutions to gun violence. So we'll give him some simple yes or no questions to answer:

17)
Do you support a ban on assault style weapons - yes or no?

18)
Do you support raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21 - yes or no?

19)
Do you support banning high-capacity magazines, as well as bump stocks — gun accessories that allow semi-automatic rifles to operate like fully automatic weapons - yes or no?

20)
Do you support requiring universal background checks that include relevant mental health information and previous interactions with the law - yes or no?

21)
Do you support ensuring a complete universal database of those banned from buying firearms - yes or no?

22)
Do you support closing the private sale and gun show loopholes that waive background checks - yes or no?

23-End) Looking forward to all of your answer Dino. Highly recommend you post the responses on your web site for all to see. Then we'll see if that $414,000 had any effect on your policy decisions.