Senator Donnelly now supports same-sex marriage

NDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly announced Friday on his Facebook page that he is now in support of same-sex marriage.

Donnelly, a Democrat, told NewsChannel 15 on March 15 that he was against legalizing same-sex marriage, but he agrees that gay people should have certain rights.

"I believe that our friends who are gay have the opportunity to have a wonderful fulfilling life that they can have benefits for their partners and so I stand with Ohio Senator Rob Portman on much of this," Donnelly said in the interview.

On March 26, following the Supreme Court arguments on gay marriage, Donnelly told NewsChannel 15 the following: "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman but I'm keeping an eye on this. This area continues to move very quickly and so we're watching to see what happens not only at the court but also in our communities as well."

Donnelly is now saying he reconsidered his opposition to same-sex marriage after this debate.

"I have been thinking about my past positions and votes," he said. "In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all."

Donnelly is one of two Democratic senators that endorsed gay marriage on Friday. North Dakota’s Heidi Heitkamp also came out in support of same-sex marriage via a press release that was e-mailed to press, according to Politico .

Both Donnelly and Heitkamp were elected in 2012, winning close races in states that were handily carried by GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

There are now only four Democrats in the Senate who have not expressed support for gay marriage: Sens. Mark Pryor, of Arkansas, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, and Joe Manchin, of West Virgi

"In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal ‘don't ask, don't tell’ and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana’s or our nation’s constitution to enshrine in those documents an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’ instead of a ‘we.’ With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all.”

As someone who lives in the congressional district he formerly represented, I can say without hesitation his positions on issues always come with an asterisk and the disclaimer “*Donnelly’s views right now do not necessarily reflect the views of Donnelly in 5 minutes. Please see Reid, Harry or Pelosi, Nanci for further explanation.”

Want to know who to thank for your 500% increase in insurance rates and healthcare costs? He should be at the top of your list. He publicly opposed Obamacare for months until he turned tail and became one of the 2 final votes to pass it in the House.

He's a snake who blasted Mourdock for having a position on abortion that Donnelly shared months earlier and no one called him on it. He only ran for Senate because he was undoubtedly going to lose his House seat. The combination of Mourdock imploding and the sour grapes of Dick Lugar refusing to support him in the general gave Donnelly a back-door entrance to the Senate.

The betrayal of his constituents and his faith on this issue is no surprise to those who know him.

What the heck!? Oh, making a voting bloc and to have $$$ coming in is what we are seeing now.. Between this, the dictatorial rule and seems like a take over of our government (as the opposition is somewhere dining maybe- not over the line to say that, is it ) and the attack on people supporting a man a woman marriage as the building block of civilizations are over the line. I am so tired of being accused of being a hater. I don't bother anyone in my life. I just work and play by the rules (even tho this government has set unfair rules and unfair tax burden because it's pay back time to take away from the haves, (who worked for their haves; I guess). Not all of us stole our successes, or haves, Mr. Obama. Ms Pelosi. Nor have government insiders sending us work/contracts.

Yes, I worry about my income though I don't want to live in a immoral society that has no respect for the mom and dad family. Money is not the thing to protect which most people in power are clinging to it seems. ( The way I see it is...Goodbye morality. Bye to God in the rear view mirror) It's not cool to protect the lessons from the Bible because it shows the lesson of a right and a wrong. Not a lesson, to pick and chose your words for a desired lesson or any outcome. Wow, anyone who has common sense can see where this is going with this government. No respect for the Bible, same for the paper that was developed for us to use as a guide (the Constitution).

He would not even salute the pledge of allegiance to his country in his primary campaign. That was caught on video. And they claim on cable not so good shows that we are being hateful to Obama about these issues. You think I'd respect a person who did that. Don't he know what that flag represents. Apparently, in his twisted view, it means it's an oppressive state. Like the foreign countries claim as well. Shame on me, for being mean.. Now, he's the oppressor. He's so controlled he can't even see it or simply proves his master can make him dance anyway they see the course should go for their new AmeriKa agenda. He's the means.

He's not a God. Though, he acts like he is a God. That is really alarming. I say that because he does stuff for a special group which can hurt millions of others in many other groups. A good person in leadership could not be a part of that. Now, it's today more non sense. gay NFL- players. I don't care. Keep your sexual preference to yourself. I watch the game, not wanting to have a focus on what your sexual choice is. NFL, you do this, my family is done with you.

Gay is your choice though don't change the format and expect me to follow and same for turning in/by force the guns agenda. Go do that in the hood where the gangs are. People are being murdered right now and this government could care less in cities like Chicago. I am so sick of these people on radio and TV telling me I have to accept gayness and gun control because it's here -the signs of the time. I am not caving in from my belief that this would be a good step for society. More problems would arise.

What's next, my cousin can marry his dog and he is very crazy about her now. He keeps on watching the stuff on TV, he maybe convinced it's a human rights issue to marry Daisy. Crazy, yes. The *gays* are now the most special people (excuse me, humans ..Us, Neanderthals are just haters as the teens constantly say on Face book. They are being brainwashed, I believe. A young boy has no idea what he is getting himself into esp if the sugar daddy (the chaser) is a older guy, more clever. The gays want financial security from relationships that go south. So, they know it could fall part though desire protection by government assistance. There are cases as such. Don't tell me the gay movement is sweet and nice in all dimensions. What personal choice of sexual behavior you do in your life should not have the government intrusion. It will spiral out of control. All Societies need a blueprint which the Founding Fathers set for America. It's not hateful to say this. We have taken a wrong turn for history. Leaving God is wrong. Don't become distracted about the guns and give in to this other agenda. You can have all of the fire power you want, once you turn your back on God, it will not matter, will it. Yes, prepare. I say put God first over all of these issues and you will know how to continue in this crazy era.

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