Casey mulls run against Santorum [barf]

[tishaLA]

State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. met with national Democratic leaders in Washington yesterday to discuss a possible run for the U.S. Senate next year against Republican Sen. Rick Santorum.

The meeting with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, was the latest development in the party's intensifying search for the best candidate to topple one of its top targets.

National operatives have urged Casey, an opponent of abortion and gun control, to run against the conservative Santorum in part because of his strong showing in November. Casey won the state treasurer's job with the largest number of votes in Pennsylvania history and by sweeping socially conservative counties that have rejected other Democrats in recent years.

The Democratic campaign committee support would be crucial in helping the party's eventual nominee raise the kind of money required for such a marquee race. Santorum, who is up for reelection in 2006, has said he hoped to raise $25 million himself. Philadelphia Inquirer

This is the best argument ever to have Chris Heinz run. Casey will make Lieberman look progressive!

[Fed Up]

1. Casey would beat Santorum. Which guy do you want?

We are down to 45 Senators and we gotta up our numbers, there is no time to lose.

If this Casey can appeal to conservative areas of PA, then that is good news, because it means Santorum won't win.

I don't think Chris Heinz would win the Alabama areas of Pennsylvania, that is my gut feeling. With Chris it would be too close of a race, and Santorum would probably win, and then we would be frowning all over again in November of 2006.

Casey is the better bet. All I care about right now is getting 51 Democrats in the Senate.

Casey's dad was governor of PA for two terms, and things went smoothly under his leadership. Pennsylvania likes the Casey family, just like Indiana likes the Birch Bayh family.

This guy will be a winner.

[tishaLA]

2. I'd obviously prefer a Democrat

but I'd prefer one who actually believed in some Democratic party issues. Casey is especially terrible on reproductive rights and it's hard for me to imagine someone saying the Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision, the cutbacks in health spending, the destruction of unions, etc. constitutes things going smoothly.

I'd prefer almost any Democrat to Casey and I think Heinz, if he runs, will be able to cash in on the love Pennsylvanians have for his father.

[LynneSin]

17. Thank you, I was going to post some of the same stuff

Casey Sr. was so fricking bad that I actually voted for the Republican that ran against him the second time AND voted for Tom Ridge once because the candidate was a 'Casey Democrat' (and Tom Ridge is pro-choice).

If Casey runs against Santorum, I wont' have to worry who to vote for since I'm in Delaware. But I also know I won't be wasting any time driving up to PA to help out with the campaign like I've done for other state-wide candidates that I've really supported.

Heck we have a chance at getting the Maryland Governor seat back with Martin O'Malley - I'll go help him out instead!

[Coastie for Truth]

13. I moved west about 20 years ago

but I remember Gov Casey --- and I have watched Santorum on tv. Santorum is an insult to Pennsylvania - as bad as the Derry Intelligent Designers.

If I still lived in PA, I could vote for Casey.

[Rowdyboy]

3. I'll trust the voters of Pennsylvania to select the Democrat they want

to beat Sanctorum. If Casey is their choice-that's fine, just as long as he beats the hell out of the incumbent.

I save my "barfing" for my enemy-the Republican party.

[JPZenger]

4. Please Explain to Heinz's Qualifications to Me

Could you please explain to us Chris Heinz's qualifications to be a U.S. Senator?

I'll admit Heinz has a more handsome face than Bob Casey. But I don't believe inexperienced young people deserve to be U.S. Senators.

Santorum is a major embarrassment to our state. His removal should be the highest priority for all PA. Democrats and moderate Republicans.

[Rowdyboy]

5. JP...I think you meant to respond to one of the other two posters

I think Casey would be the absolute best bet to take on Santorum. While I like Chris Heinz, and he could self-finance a campaign, I agree that he's a bit young and perhaps should run for the House of Representatives first.

[LetsGoMurphys]

6. Bob

Casey is our man

[Rowdyboy]

7. While I've never even been to Pennsylvania, what I've read about Casey

has been very positive. While I disagree with him on abortion, that's only one issue. My main objective is defeating Rick Sanctorum. I will support whoever or whatever best serves that purpose.

[IrishDemocrat]

8. I agree

Casey is the man to beat Ricky. I disagree with him on abortion and gun control, but other than that I'm fine with him. He is far better than what we have. I would rather have Hoeffel or Hafer, but Casey is sure as hell better than a Zell Miller or John Breaux.

[mrgorth]

9. I'm very excited about a Casey run

I'm sure they'll make some arrangement on choice. Bob is a good old populist dem.

[LynneSin]

18. The guy who came out point blank and said he'd ban abortions...

if Roe V. Wade was overturned?

Yeah right.

[Township75]

10. Casey is the man...

if he doesn't run, I don't know if we have anyone who will beat him. Why would people vote for Heinz? I know why Dems would, but why would independants?

Casey is the boy.

[hopein08]

11. One good thing about Casey...

He was the only person that I, my sister, my mother, and my father voted for in November than actually won!

Gotta be a semi-good sign at least!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

12. I don't care about his abortion stances! I WANT THAT SEAT...

DAMN IT!!!

Casey will be our stongest ally on economic issues! Casey for Senate! Sign me up! No more Santorum!

[RamboLiberal]

14. If Casey is what it takes to get Ricky out of office

and more importantly deny or diminish him for a 2008 WH run - I'll vote for Casey.

Unlike Repukes I'm not a one or two issue voter.

[rabid_nerd]

15. Run Casey Run!

Unlike Heinz, Casey has experience, is a life long Pennsylvanian..
And Bob is as much a solid Democrat as any Heinz.

[oddmanout]

16. I'm interested

Casey certainly has the political pedigree but I want to know more about what he is about. If he is going to make a successful run against Santorum he will also be running against the Bush machine (Bush does not want to lose such a valuable conservative ally).He will have to endure Bushies character assassins to run successfully.

I will be looking forward to hearing more about where he stands in the run up to the midterms!

:dem: