Electing the Next Paul Wellstone

[chlamor]

Electing the Next Paul Wellstone; Progressive Candidate Chuck Pennacchio Wants to Run Against Rick Santorum in the 2006 PA Senate Race, and he needs your help. This article tells you why this campaign has national significance.  

by Rob Kall

 I’m volunteering on the PA US senate campaign of Chuck Pennacchio ( www.chuck2006.com ).  He’s a genuine progressive who wants to run against Rick Santorum in 2006.

<snip>

When he talks to a house party, something strange happens. People realize that he is talking their beliefs, not the evasive double-talk of republican-lite DLC centrists. Chuck sounds like Paul Wellstone, like the people who teach the Wellstone Model... and people are just about brought to tears, because he is actually standing there and running for US senate-- apparently, the only progressive in the country shooting for a senate seat.

The problem is, the centrist insider democratic power brokers have already coronated their senate pick and want to do an end run around the democratic process—the primary election. Their pick is Bob Casey, anti-aborition, anti-women’s rights son of a former governor. They argue that his antiabortion position makes him more electable.

 If they win this primary, it will set a precedent that will make it much, MUCH harder for progressives to get on the ballot. This fact alone makes this state election a national concern and issue. If Casey wins the primary and then beats Santorum, the DLC and the rest of the centrist, republican-lites in disguise as democrats will use the victory as an argument to further remove the spine from the democratic party as they push it further towards the center, so it looks even more like the republican party.

http://www.opednews.com/kall_041905_pennacchio.htm

[DaveinMD]

1. Casey

Is a liberal on every other issue. Calling him a DLCer is misleading.

[chlamor]

2. Casey is another

example of aiming too low. As always there will be the 'practical political' rationale. It's gotten us this far hasn't it. Lookin' over the cliffs edge and stuck in mediocrity.

[DaveinMD]

3. I was

just commenting on the description of Casey as DLC. He's not. I don't know enough about your candidate. I haven't met him. I'm all for primaries. Good luck.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. What pisses me off about Casey is that he's pro death penalty

If he's gonna be pro-life then he needs to REALLY be pro-life. Everything else about him seems fairly good, I liked that he's okay with gay adoption and from what I'm told he's fairly good on trade (which is, in my opinion, a huge litmus test between DLC and non-DLC). But again, that death penalty thing pisses me off.

I'll support (in anyway I can) whoever the nominee is, because outsting Santorum before he can get anywhere near a national ticket is a HUGE priority. But tell me more about this Pennachio guy. Convince me that he really is the next Wellstone.

[chlamor]

5. Casey will march lockstep

with the neo-liberal agenda of the Rep. lite. Guarantee it.

Here is more from above article, I would add to it except I am painfully slow at typing and a bit tired. Hope you will look into it further we need to aim much higher and forget the political expediency BS that is spoon fed by the DLC and then becomes the lingua franca and the self fulfilling prophecy. If business as usual is what we want Casey will deliver that.
I do not know Michael Kolb, just an opinion. Here is his comment:
Michael Kolb says:

Several weeks ago I went to a gathering in Philadelphia to meet Chuck and find out what he was about. What I found is that Chuck is the real deal: an ordinary guy with a day job; an expert in American history and international affairs; an experienced campaign strategist; a dynamic, inspirational speaker; and a candidate with the moral courage to stand up for our rights. I'm now working as a volunteer, because I believe that Chuck represents the best choice for the people of Pennsylvania.

If you wish to get involved you can look into calling.
From article;

The problem is, the centrist insider democratic power brokers have already coronated their senate pick and want to do an end run around the democratic process—the primary election. Their pick is Bob Casey, anti-aborition, anti-women’s rights son of a former governor. They argue that his antiabortion position makes him more electable.

 If they win this primary, it will set a precedent that will make it much, MUCH harder for progressives to get on the ballot. This fact alone makes this state election a national concern and issue. If Casey wins the primary and then beats Santorum, the DLC and the rest of the centrist, republican-lites in disguise as democrats will use the victory as an argument to further remove the spine from the democratic party as they push it further towards the center, so it looks even more like the republican party.
<snip>
If you are a progressive, if you are a Democrat  or an independent who is sick of weak candidates chosen by jaded insiders who have lost their souls to power, then you owe it to yourself to support Chuck Pennacchio. Pennacchio is not just a progressive good guy. He is a visionary leader who will join the senate with a real spine, a real inner compass that will immediately make him a leader who will give voice to the truth.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. I live in Louisiana so it is a little hard to actively support either one

And while I disagree that Casey is a DLC shill (or at least I haven't been convinced of that yet) he is obviously from an affluent Pennsylvania dynasty and there is something to be said about the fact that Chuck is an average guy like Wellstone was.

If the truly is the next Wellstone then he will certainly give Casey a run for his money. Unfortunately, Minnesota is less than half the size of Pennsylvania which gives those with money a much bigger advantage.