Casey strongest Democrat against Santorum, poll shows

[No Mandate Here.]

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/05047/458337.stm


By Peter Jackson, The Associated Press

HARRISBURG -- Twenty-one months before U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum stands for re-election, state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. is the strongest challenger among several Democrats who are considering whether to take him on, according to an independent poll released this morning.

Casey held an apparent lead over Santorum of 46 percent to 41 percent, with 11 percent of the state's voters undecided, in the Quinnipiac University poll.

Santorum, a Republican who is finishing his second six-year term, enjoys clear leads over three other Democrats who have said they may run -- former U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer and state Rep. T.J. Rooney.

"This could shape up as the best Senate race in the country" next year, said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the university's polling institute. "Count on Democrats to pour in millions of dollars to try to oust a key conservative member of the Republican leadership, and the big GOP money-givers won't be shy in donating to keep Sen. Santorum in office."

<more>

The goal IS ATTAINABLE! (sorry for shouting.)

[rpannier]

1. No need to be sorry

Any chance to oust that f**k deserves a shout.

[hezekkia]

39. more Quinnipiac numbers

sorry for the poor formatting.

SEN '06 General Election Matchups

.................All GOP Dem Ind Men Wom
Casey........46% 16% 74% 49% 42% 49%
Santorum...41 72 17 32 45 37
Undec/Oth..13 13 9 19 13 15

..................All GOP Dem Ind Men Wom
Santorum...50% 83% 23% 42% 53% 47%
Hoeffel........34 9 63 33 30 38
Undec/Oth...16 8 15 24 16 15

..................All GOP Dem Ind Men Wom
Santorum...47% 78% 22% 39% 52% 43%
Hafer..........39 13 67 38 34 43
Undec/Oth..14 8 11 24 14 14

A Quinnipiac poll; conducted 2/10-14; surveyed 1,250 PA voters; margin of error +/- 2.8% (release, 2/16).

[hezekkia]

40. what i don't understand

What befuddles me is why Santorum has a 52% approval rate in Pennsylvania. I mean, even George Bush lost there, and, as much as I hate to say it, Santorum makes Bush look like the frickin' Dalai Lama.

Santorum As Senator

______________All GOP Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve........52% 74% 36% 41% 53% 51%
Disapprove....31% 14% 47% 37% 31% 31%

:puke: :wtf:

[bcoylepa]

2. Casey - Santorum

that margin is not wide enough for me to be comfortable in this state-
and Casey's anti-choice stand will make it difficult if not impossible for many dems and progressives to rally behind him - we need a better candidate or Casey better start speaking up for my rights!

[jswordy]

3. But he's been endorsed by the Democratic Senate leaders!

...doesn't THAT make you feel better?

;)

[Divernan]

4. I've worked with Casey and his staff - they have integrity & intelligence

I worked with them on issues regarding protection of the mentally ill and retarded (from predatory group home operators and self-serving welfare administrators). That means a constituency which made NO political contributions and had no organized voting block. Casey's people were just plain TERRIFIC. They thoroughly researched all the issues and came out with a scathing indictment of the predators.

Casey has built up a large group of extremely competent staffers, some of whom go back to his father's gubanatorial administration and others who have worked for Casey Jr. in the various statewide offices he's held. This group has a commitment to ethics and honesty I have never seen in any other political group.
The only issue I disagree with Casey about is his pro-life stance. But that issue is moot against Santorum since Rick is on the same side of that page. You choose from the candidates you have, not the candidates you wish you had. I will gladly work for Casey in this race, and in fact, I'm calling today to volunteer.

[Palacsinta]

6. Is Casey personally pro-life?

& legislatively pro-choice?

[struggle4progress]

32. I'd bet he's a consistently pro-life Catholic, like RPC (1932-2000)

[msanthrope]

20. You are forgetting the very many conservative Democrats in

PA--


I'm here in Philly, and Casey is a pro-life, conservative Democrat who will garner lots of support.

Why? Because lots of liberals and progressives want that fucker, Santorum, gone, and they will hold their noses to do it.

I will.

[devinsgram]

27. My sentiments exactly.

Casey can definitely beat him, he has name recognition and has consistently pulled the most votes every time in every election he was in when he ran against a republican opponent.

[liberalnurse]

34. I don't see any difference

between Casey and Santorum except for the Party......If one wants to vote for anti-choice, they already have the incumbent, Santorum. Why waste good, hard earned Democratic funds on a DINO?

[msanthrope]

35. Yes, why should we get another Democratic

Senator? After all, why would we need one? (sarcasm)

Especially one that is a fiscal liberal and anti-death penalty and does not take money from the NRA, and is ahead in the polls?

Heck. We have Senate seats to spare!! (sarcasm, again)

[GiovanniC]

42. Wow... Casey Compares Homosexuality to Man-on-Dog Sex, Too?

I did not know that.

[GOPBasher]

44. Exactly! n/t

[GOPBasher]

43. That's absurd.

Casey is pro-life but liberal on everything else. Santorum is fundamentalist who wants a theocracy. He doesn't believe in freedom of religion. Is Casey like that?

Why are there so many single-issue voters? :shrug:

On edit: I want to echo the poster who talked about Santorum's stance on homosexuality. He thinks it's comparable to bestiality. Does Casey support that?

[liberalnurse]

50. Lets put it this way.....

I won't be coy here. I want a real Democrat, a pro-choice Democrat and not a half-baked biscuit of a democrat. That is what Casey is now.

That means they must be pro-choice politically..... not a DINO. The Democratic platform is and will continue to be pro-choice if they are to remain true Democrats. That is who we are and shall remain. Privately, I don't care what their position is....because we all can make a CHOICE. This choice can be made due to Democrats.....not DINO'S.

I like it that way, and will not take the softer, easier way about it. No DINO and Casey is at present a DINO.

[No Mandate Here.]

53. Let's do a bit of visualization

Put you, Sanatorium, and Casey into a room and start talking about Women's rights and choice. Several scenarios come to mind.

Think about this discussion going for about half an hour.

Which of you has the most ability to see the other point of view?

Which one would have the most chance of being deemed unyielding?

Which of you would be most likely to see if there were other areas of agreement?

From your point of view, which one would you be more likely to have any agreement with?

I could go on, but I've got to get some work done.

Other than the past five years, politics would be described as the art of compromise and relative civility. Single issue politics is one of the things that has given us Lord *. Rove is a master of deciding which combination of the single issue people he will court. He does it just long enough to have their vote, then ignores them. We need more generalistic thinking, but I don't have a clue how to do it.

[GOPBasher]

57. Amen to this statement:

"Rove is a master of deciding which combination of the single issue people he will court. He does it just long enough to have their vote, then ignores them. We need more generalistic thinking, but I don't have a clue how to do it."

:thumbsup:

[GOPBasher]

56. I don't think he's a DINO.

I respect your position, but I believe in looking at the whole picture. If I agree with him on 98% of the issues, I'm going to support him. And if he's left-of-center on 98% of the issues, I don't think he's a DINO.

I can see where you're coming from, though, because I do have a couple pet issues that I can't live without.

[liberalnurse]

58. I suggest the Pennsylvanian Democratic Committee

give a selection of Senatorial Candidates....Casey has a serious void regarding the anti-choice stance. I'd be ultra-fine with him if he proclaimed his personal choice but agreed to uphold Roe v Wade when it came to a vote. I want a Democratic Senator to preform like one.

If we know Casey will fall short on the mark....we can't point our finger at the neo-con republicans then now ...Can we??? This is a standard rhetoric point the repugs use against us every chance they get. They did it repeatedly with Kerry during the campaign....remember the Iraqi War vote?????

I say we don't surrender or support a glass half-full. It gets us in trouble every time. The republicans are a tight, united voting block....we can't bargain and negotiate at the moment as it is our poison tomorrow.

[liberalnurse]

30. Agreed.

The anti-choice stance will keep Democrats away.

[No Mandate Here.]

41. I completely disagree with this point

I live in the "Alabama" section of PA in Somerset County, PA, and there are quite a few people in this bible belt who vote for Sanatorium ONLY because of his anti abortion stance. One particularly libertarian fellow I deal with a lot calls him a loose cannon, and would likely vote for Casey, given that option.

I contend that a lot of these sorts will switch, more than making up for those who feel the other way.

Even a center of the road Dem, as "compromised" as some feel he may be, is better than L'il Ricky.

[blondeatlast]

31. If the choice is Satanum or a guy with one unfortunate political position,

only fools would choose Satanum.

Very few fools on DU, I hope there's fewer still in PA.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Whoever can beat that asshole Sanctorum is fine with me....

The people of Pennsylvania deserve better than that POS. If the choice is winning with a moderate Casey and losing with anyone else, I would have no problem voting Casey. But then I don't live in Pennsylvania, so it really doesn't make much difference what I think. I'm stuck with Trent Lott for life :puke:

[blue neen]

7. Santorum has done nothing for the state of PA. NOTHING!

He steals money from the taxpayers here, but he doesn't do anything FOR us. He spends his time in the Senate trying to advance himself.

I believe Casey would work for the people of PA. That's what we need.

[insane_cratic_gal]

8. I do live in pa

I want Santorum gone

Problem is Casey isn't going to sit well with female voters. I would vote for a candidate who supports my choices and ideals before bumping yet another DLC or wolf in sheep clothing. My votes not for sale.

I would like to see the break down of male to female on that poll.

[Southern Dem 2005]

9. I don't understand the problem with Casey

Even if he is pro-life, there aren't many politicians who are more pro-life than Santorum. Seems to me that if Casey is better than Santorum on every other issue (and I think he probably is), and they cancel each other out on abortion, I can't imagine why a Dem wouldn't vote for Casey.

If you suggest Dems would stay home instead of vote for either then that strikes me as kind of silly. Don't you think that Casey would, generally speaking, be a much better proponent for the rights of women generally than Santorum?

I'm not trying to say Casey's position on abortion isn't relevant to say, whether you vote for him in a Dem primary, but it seems to me he just kills Santorum on every other issue that is important to Dems.

Again, I don't see the logic to saying "I'll live with Santorum, a pro-life, right-wing fanatic, religious zealot, hates-the-Dem's with all his heart Republican before I vote for a pro-life Dem."

[David__77]

11. Santorum is anti-choice, not pro-life.

At least Casey has some moral consistency in opposing euthanasia, abortion and the death penalty, in addition to wanting to make sure no one dies from lack of health care or food, for example. He takes a Catholic position. Santorum, however, is strictly interested in controlling the choices available for women in order to bolster his social regime.

[meow2u3]

13. Casey won't kill babies after they're born

That's the difference between pro-life Democrats and anti-abortion Repukes. Repukes oppose the very things (relief for poor women and their children, fully-funded prenatal and child care, etc) that cause women to seek abortions, whereas pro-life and pro-choice Dems have the common ground of protecting life already on this earth.

Casey said that the right to life should mean the right to a decent life--for mother and child. He thinks the sanctity of life and the quality of life are one and the same. The same cannot be said for Santorum.

[liberalnurse]

52. Casey ultimately does the same thing

that Santorum does regarding anti-choice....The outcome is the same, like you said, " Santorum, however, is strictly interested in controlling the choices available for women in order to bolster his social regime."

The end result is exactly the same because the fringe posturing and rhetoric does not count....his vote is his vote and an anti-choice vote results in suppression of women.

Lets look for a true-blue Democrat to run against Santorum.

[dmallind]

14. For some people on some issues compromise is difficult

I'm probably more centrist (which is neither a boast nor a confession!) than most on these boards and given hobbies and lifestyle choices I have, I am in frequent contact with the extremes on both sides.

Some have difficulty dealing with any compromise on their most cherished position or cause. Sure this is hardly new information, but it keeps surprising me. Perhaps I am not a purist but a pragmatist and just don't get the mindset of the true believer. Like you I think if a candidate would be better overall and can win, then go for that one.

I'm an atheist. An organized, active, dedicated atheist. Neither Kerry nor Clinton were exactly bastions of separation and secularization. I voted for both of em gladly because they were BETTER even in this area than the alternative.

But even if they weren't I'm with you. Even if Kerry wanted every single one of the religious intrusions in my life that Bush wants, I'd still have voted for him because I'd at least be living in a more economically sound, more socially just theocracy!

The right wingers I know have the same issues believe it or not. I know people who would not vote for Bush because he supported certain very specific and limited gun purchasing restrictions. That one issue was so important that they risked a Kerry win even though they loathe and despise every part of the Democratic social and economic agenda and even though they knew Badnarik had no damn chance - they still voted that way.

The alternative is just that - the fringe/protest vote for the "pure" candidate. Sure I'm sure there is a Green Party candidate in PA who will never dream of voting for any choice restrictions however slight or however futile that vote would be. Sure on the other side there is probably a Libertarian or Constitution party guy who would legalize shoulder mounted rockets for grade school use before he'd vote for any restriction on gun use or purchase. Neither of them will win, and voting for either of them will NOT "teach the Dems/Reps the error of their ways and show them where their REAL supporters want them to be" for the simple reason that there are more moderates than purists and any move into purist stances will alienate far more people than it will energize.

So vote for the best one who can win - because the lesser of two evils is the best, heck only way, to reduce evil.

[Southern Dem 2005]

15. Agreed

all this talk about not voting for a pro-life Dem just isn't reasonable. If you are pro-choice there is no where else to go but the Dem party. Abstaining from voting just means more Republicans in office. I'm sure Santorum, Falwell, and Hastert will do all they can to protect a womans choice.

I've also seen some discussion on here about leaving the Dem's if they cave on the pro-choice platform. That's silly--its political suicide. First, how many people are hard-core pro-choicer's who would leave the party if the platform changed? 25%? 30%? I imagine its probably less than that. You would end up with a pro-choice party representing less than a quarter of the population and the Dem party representing another quarter. It would be like having two more Green parties--I'm sure the Greens will tell you they haven't had a tom of success either nationwide or in getting legislation they favor passed. The Republicans really would be a majority then.

[MaineDem]

16. What???

"I'm sure Santorum, Falwell, and Hastert will do all they can to protect a womans choice."

Are you serious?

[Southern Dem 2005]

17. Uh, no, I was being sarcastic.

Sorry that wasn't clear.

[MaineDem]

18. Whewwww

I was worried there...

[Southern Dem 2005]

19. Yep, I should have clarified

that Santorum, Falwell, and Hastert represent the Nazi wing of the Republican party.

[insane_cratic_gal]

21. If that is the case then keep

our vote.

I never said I wouldn't vote, I said I wouldn't vote for Casey.

Your asking me to compromise on my belief set. That a woman has the right to do what she will without state or government imposing laws upon those rights.

Just as an example to how a woman's body is not her own.. As a woman you can't get your tubes tied until a Certian age? I think it's at least 30 or under you can be refused. At 32 I was refused. I have one child, she's the love of my life, I am certain I do not want another.


No, No I don't feel compelled to vote for him. Why? Why would I jeopardize a seat in the senate over one stance? I know to most it's irrational, however, It only takes him to vote against a pro-choice bill, to vote once with the republican to degrade upon my rights.

There is an argument going on this country. We talk alot about spine, Republican lite what are the core values of the party. What defines us as a party. We talk often of civil liberties being infringed upon.
What bigger part of the argument can you not understand? My body, my choice, you can disagree with me, but how can I trust you when you believe counter to what I believe?
Do you trust a brain surgeon to preform surgery upon you with his left hand when he is really right handed?

That one small compromise your asking me to make, might well be the slippery slope we can't come back from.

You know what's worse. I have a child that i love more then anything. If I got pregnant again, even though I don't want another, nor could I handle the financial burden. I would have it. I wouldn't choose to abort. Even at 33 with medical history issues ect.

More then that, is the very child I love, My daughter. I hope she never has to make the choice. But should she be irresponsible, (as most teens and young adults are at one point or another) should she be raped? should she be beaten 2 months into her pregnancy by the boyfriend. Should her own life be at risk, my baby's life; I want her to still have the freedom of decide for herself. That no candidate I voted for on blind trust, because "it's silly--its political suicide"

How do I look my child in the face because I believed or trusted his this Pro-life Dem's to support the majority party line? Eventually it won't matter to anyone. More and More Pro-Life Dem's will get in, because we had to give up the issue of my body to bunch over paid politicians. I have to ask next, what else are you willing to compromise on? Social Security? Environment? Medical Care? Poverty? What else are you willing to sell out on? what do you gain but a Senate filled with Republican Lite candidates, who vote with the repukes anyway, or are repukes?

So to tell me to give my vote to someone who I can't trust, because he totes the line of the Dem's party (which we do not know is true. we have lip service is all) to give my vote to a moderate. To which I am NOT. I refuse, to compromise myself in that manner. If 20 million other American's are ok with it, then so be it you got your candidate, but I won't compromise.

Maybe that's is exterme, but to thyself by true.

[Southern Dem 2005]

25. I understand your argument

You have to stick to what you believe. I think my point is that as a voter and a Dem you need to be a realist. Its great to have a value set, but not if its going to bite you in the ass. Regarding abortion, you are no worse off with Casey than with Santorum.

If I'm from PA, and I'm pro-choice, and I get to choose between voting for Casey, Santorum, or a third-party pro-choice candidate without a chance in hell, I vote for Casey. First, if 4-5% of Dems go for a third-party candidate on principle then Santorum wins. So now you've got Santorum, who like Casey is pro-life. The problem is you've just contributed to the Republicans staying in the majority. Casey may have made the difference between a Dem majority and a Republican one. At the least, he would have been one more person the Dems could have relied on in the filibuster. So now the Republican party is still in the majority, meaning they get to determine what bills get hearings, what bills pass, and for the most part which judicial nominees are confirmed. Even though Casey is pro-life he could make a huge difference in protecting choice.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Casey does a lot better with woman than Santorum

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Casey 46% 16% 74% 49% 42% 49%
Santorum 41 72 17 32 45 37
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 2 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 2 1
DK/NA 11 11 6 17 9 13

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11379.xml?ReleaseID=649

[Toots]

10. Diebold

:shrug:

[Vogon_Glory]

12. From Way Down In Texas

I'm willing to make at least a small campaign contribution to the winner of the Pennsylvania Democratic Senatorial primary provided that he or she isn't a DINO like Zell what's-his-name of Georgia.

[Freddie Stubbs]

28. Casey is very liberal on fiscal issues

and is conservative on social issues like abortion and gun control.

[Placebo]

22. How sweet would that be?

Defeating one of the conservatives' favourite boys.

Although, he'd probably get promoted to like, Attorney General or something, like some other failed republican senatorial candidate. :eyes:

[Halliburton]

23. I don't think his anti-choice line will hurt him...

No one likes Sanotorum except the nutcases and the nutcases are mad at him for supporting pro-choice Arlen Specter against another nutjob in Pat Toomey. Plus Rendell is running for relection in 2006 and love him or hate him, he can really turn out places like Philly and Harrisburg.

[Zynx]

24. Casey is at least an economic liberal.

I don't particularly care about social issues. They are not the core of Democratic Party principles. Economic opportunity and equality have always been the bread and butter of the Democratic Party, not these social issues.

[GOPBasher]

46. I generally agree, although I want to

protect the civil rights of everyone, including homosexuals. And I also am incredibly scared of what I perceive to be a march toward theocracy in this country. As long as the Dem is liberal on separation of church and state and at least moderate on gay rights, I'll gladly vote for him or her. And especially since Santorum is one of the most theocratic right wing senators in the country, I really want to get rid of him; any improvement will do. Go Casey!!

[confusionisnext]

26. please please please run, Casey

As a gay ex-Pennsylvanian, I will donate a lot of money to anyone who can pick off Senator Anal Foam.

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
==================



This week is our first quarter 2005 fund drive. Democratic
Underground is a completely independent website. We depend almost entirely
on donations from our members to cover our costs. Thank you so much for
your support.

[Straight Shooter]

36. I will support Casey against Santorum

I believe a woman has an absolute right to choose her destiny for her body. I also believe that if we continue to insist on the entire spectrum of liberal issues, we may well lose not only the battle, but the entire war, for generations to come.

I am willing to compromise if he is truly pro-life, meaning quality of life included, and not merely anti-abortion which is the Republican position.

We've got to start somewhere, and if Pennsylvania is basically politically conservative, they're going to vote for what they perceive is the moral candidate. I think Santorum comes across as sanctimonious and filled with pride, not as a moral man.

[GetTheRightVote]

37. We must support all good Democrats in any state, in our country

:kick:

[spikesmom]

38. Santorum Is A Republican Puppet

I am a female Pennsylvanian and I signed petitions (presidential voting recount, Social Security not to be privatized , and for Gonzales and Rice not to be appointed) that went to Santorum. That little asshole sent me letters back stating "Gonzales is a wonderful man" type of bullshit....more BS on Rice and privatizing SS. He is a first rate asshole and he is not the voice of his constituents. Even though I am pro-choice about abortion, I would vote for Casey if he decided to run. I am hoping that Joe Hoeffel runs again, he would be my choice for senate.

[Mandate My Ass]

51. Aren't Santorum's letters the worst?

I've gotten them too and they're more like condescending sermons than letters to a constituent.

I'm hoping for Hoeffel to run also. I've also heard rumors that former Penn pres Judy Rodin may challenge Santorum in the primary. I'd vote for a pro-choice repub before an anti-choice dem if given the chance.

Welcome to DU, spikesmom! Glad to have ya. :toast:

[No Mandate Here.]

55. You reminded me that Sanatorium ALWAYS franks snail mail

replies to email questions. Other than the time to compose them, which would be the same for an emailed response, he is wasting OUR money by sending the real snail mail letters. What a Luddite, wasteful dolt.

Does the use of a computer show you believe in evolution?

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

45. 3-way......Santorum, Casey and Heinz

Maybe we'll have a 3-way race here in PA with Rick man-on-dog Santorum as the Repub, Bob, my-father-took-to-outlaw-PA-abortions-to-the-Supreme-Court Casey as the Dem, and Chris, my-father-was-a-great-PA-Senator-and-I-have-name-recognition, Heinz as an Independent.

[GOPBasher]

47. I want anyone to beat Santorum.

I would gladly support the pro-life Casey. He's liberal on everything else.

[No Mandate Here.]

48. Since L'il Ricky is a poster boy for the GOP,

and considering the Penn Hills Cyber school mess and his (non)residency), the man on dog statements, and the other messes he is bound to get into, it will be especially sweet to see him have to go to work on K street lobbying the Senate, with its NEW DEMOCRATIC MAJORIITY.

His hubris and arrogance is exceeded ONLY by deLay's. deLay may be working on K street after he is out of jail.

[davidinalameda]

49. as long as the Democratic candidate wins...

the only goal that's obtainable is making the Democrats more Repuke lite than they already are

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

54. I hope this isn't a 'done deal' from the Democrats...

Ricky is anti-choice and fiscally irresponsible. Casey is anti-choice and fiscally "liberal".

Wow, are these the choices in my state? I was really hoping for the polar opposite of Rick-man-on-dog.

[Zynx]

59. It's possible to be fiscally responsible while being economically compassi

onate. They are not mutually exclusive.