New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is holding a fundraiser this month for Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), one of the architects of a gun control bill which stalled in Congress.
Bloomberg will throw a $1,000-a-ticket party for the Senator, though Manchin does not face reelection until 2016. Both politicians have voiced support for expanded background checks for private gun sales, primarily targeting gun shows.
West Virginia’s Register Herald reports that Manchin will not discuss the fundraiser directly, despite questions about Bloomberg’s avowed opposition to coal energy. A Manchin aide told the paper, “Sen. Manchin believes that part of what is wrong with Washington these days is is the notion that you are guilty not simply by association but also by conversation.”
The aide said there are many differences between Bloomberg and Manchin, but the two agree that more gun control in the area of background checks is important.
The aide did not say how Manchin will use the revenues from the party. In late June, the Senator began airing commercials attacking the National Rifle Association (NRA) using cash from his reelection campaign fund.
Bloomberg has similarly run ads through his PAC Independence USA in support of political candidates like Robin Kelly, who won the special election to replace Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Illinois, and opposes gun ownership rights such as concealed carry legislation.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.
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