Rob Portman Has A Shovel And He Keeps Digging That Hole Deeper

Rob and Wayne's fabulous adventure

I suppose if one of Senator Portman's family members was bowling and some idiot with a gun in his shorts pocket accidentally shot him, Portman would change his mind on gun safety regulations... in a couple of years. Until then, Portman could just continue lying by claiming he did vote yes on background checks for criminals, terrorists and insane people wanting to buy guns. But Portman voted NO on background checks. Portman voted NO on deterring firearms trafficking. Portman voted NO on regulating military grade assault weapons. Portman voted NO on regulating large capacity ammunition feeding devices. In short, Portman just ignored what Ohio voters want to see and ticked off every single box the NRA demanded of Republicans in the Senate. But, unlike most other Republicans, who are proud of their NRA votes, Portman is now blatantly lying to his Ohio constituents about it.

He mislead a constituent who complained about his fealty to the NRA instead of to the 83% of Ohio voters-- across the partisan divide-- who say they want effective background checks, and said “the Grassley amendment I supported would have reauthorized and improved the National Instant Criminal Background Check System." But that isn't true.

The substitute GOP bill Portman voted for-- which was also rejected-- would not close any loopholes for buyers to dodge background checks. Instead it would enhance the amount of mental health reporting into the existing database. It would restore gun rights for recovered mentally ill people, those who are in a psychiatric hospital for observation, and those who commit themselves voluntarily. The National Rifle Association supported the bill but gun control advocates say it would make it easier for dangerous people to obtain guns.

So what's he going to do the next time background checks come up for a vote? Filibuster again, like teh NRA demands. His seat is up in 2016. He could be in for a very bumpy ride.