Casey's lead over Santorum grows in Senate matchup (10/06/05)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05279/583735.stm

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.'s lead over Sen. Rick Santorum grew slightly greater in a poll released today.

The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,530 Pennsylvania voters showed Casey leading the two-term incumbent by 52 to 34 percent -- an 18 point lead -- in his 2006 bid. That compares to a 50-to-39 percent lead in July by the same pollster.

"He's in trouble in this race," said Clay Richards, assistant director of the Hamden, Conn., university's polling institute. "He has suffered a lot of bad PR in the last two months. That, plus the president's weakening support in Pennsylvania have combined to give him some real bad numbers."

Those polled disapproved 61-to-37 percent of the job President Bush is doing, his lowest score on the poll, down from a 53-to-44 percent disapproval in July.

[expatriot]

1. Awesome oppossum. nt

[Arugula Latte]

2. Bye, bye Ricky!

This one will be too lopsided for your Repuke buddies to steal for ya. See ya later, you freak! :hi:

[rkc3]

3. Please, please let it be true.

The man is a curse on our state.

[meow2u3]

12. Ricky isn't really from our state

The impostor hails from VA and only tries to pass himself off as a Pennsylvanian because he rents out a house in western PA.

[Coastie for Truth]

4. Yes but

Pennsylvanians (at least in the Burgh) elected and re-elected Pete ("Pete and Repete") Flaherty, and Tom Murphy of Act 47 Muncipal Bankruptcy infamy.

Pennsylvanians voted out Harris Wofford - and replaced him with Rickie.

Pennsylvanians voted for Ridge over Itkin.

I have no faith in Pennsylvanians (and I was on the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and volunteered in Ivan's District Office)

[Patiod]

8. But the Catholic Church will have to keep its nose out of this one

You won't see priests dragging groups of 90 year old parishioners to the polls to vote to "save the babies" (as I saw at my polling place last election).

They'll have to keep their Goddamned (and I mean that so literally) noses the hell out of this one - they won't be able to use abortion this time to motivate the flock.

Plus even some of those out on the far reaches of the right are embarrassed by Ricky.

[meow2u3]

11. Advantage, Casey

Both candidates oppose abortion, but only Casey is the real pro-lifer. Casey is the economic liberal; Santorum is the pretender from Virginia.

[IrishDemocrat]

58. Let me guess

Are you from Northeast Philly? I can't believe how many people continue to fall for that anti-choice shit even in this day in age. I actually see about 3-4 anti-choice bumper stickers in the Acme parking lot at Holme Circle every time I go. The facist Archdiocese of Philadelphia intimidates parishoners to vote GOP and they are somehow successful. They have always nailed people like Sen. Tina Tartaglione, Allyson Schwartz and other simply because of their abortion stances in parish bulletins. They should start worrying about pedophile priests!

[enid602]

5. lead

Is this lead in real terms or Diebold terms?

[Number9Dream]

6. Curious how other dems would poll vs Ricky

The article said, "Those polled were not asked about any other Democrats running against Casey in the primary."
I'd be curious to see how Chuck Pennacchio polled against Ricky.

[safi0]

7. My guess is

It would probably be soemthing like 40-25 Santorum because Pennachio has such low name ID

[yellowcanine]

9. Could Toomey challenge Ricky? You know he is pissed at him for backing

the Specterman and weakness often leads to primary challenges.

[Ravenseye]

10. Great lets replace one loon with another

Look, we need Santorum gone, but we need a democrat to do it. Casey is a DINO. Name a position and he's taken the republican one, from supporting the Roberts nomination, to being anti-choice, pro-war, etc.

He's just a more sane Republican. A Central Pennsylvania Democrat my wife calls them. Democrats in name only.

Pennachio might not have name recognition but could with just a little bit of help. We need to stop supporting democratic candidates who we think can win, regardless of polls. Maybe Casey can win, but so can Pennachio. Santorum is even picking up on Pennachio's own campaign statements. Casey's positions are identical to Santorum's. How is anyone going to be convinced to vote for Casey.

I can see the Santorum commmercials already.

At least with Pennachio you get someone who suports universal health insurance, is pro-choice, anti-iraq war, and will actually stand and fight for what we beleive in.

What's the point of a democrat who votes with the republicans.

[Hippo_Tron]

14. He's an economic liberal, though

If we are going to bring economic justice to this country, we unfortunately are going to have to have a social conservative or two in our party.

Back in the 1930's all of the Senators and Congressmen from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the rest of the south were Democrats. Were they mostly bigots who thought that black people were lower than dirt? You betchya. Did they also vote to support Roosevelt's New Deal programs? You bet they did.

In the 1960's it was the same thing. Most of the Democrats from the south were still socially conservative and hated civil rights, womens' rights, etc. Did that stop them from voting for Johnson's Great Society or Kennedy's New Frontier? No, it did not.

My point is, that compared to some of the Congressmen and Senators that used to be in the Democratic party, Bob Casey is pretty socially liberal.

I'm not saying that we should cave on social issues, but once in awhile, we need a social conservative that will align with us on economic issues, if we ever want to get anything done.

[Ravenseye]

15. Pennachio is both

If we just get behind him and get his name out there he can win this thing. People are just reflexively saying 'well casey has name recognition'.

We dont' need name recognition to beat Santorum, he's a complete idiot. Anyway we can get name recognition with just a little bit of work.

If you have two candidates who can both beat Santorum, and they're both economically liberal why vote for a social conservative when you can vote for a social liberal?

[LetsGoMurphys]

17. Because Rick Santorum would wipe the floor with Chuck Pennachio n/t

[Ravenseye]

19. Prophecy from the Casey Campaign

If we democrats actually stood up and worked to get our rightfull candidate out there, Pennachio could easily win. The only reason people say Casey is the only one who can win, is that he's the only one iwth early name recognition.

Well it takes more than name recognition to be a Democrat. It take smore than economic policies to be a Democrat.

Casey is Santorum but with different economic policies. When the campgain truly gets started and the Santorum camp starts pointing this out with tons of money and commercials, you watch Casey's numbers plummet. His poll numbers now are pure name recognition, but believe me...when people see that he's exactly the same as Santorum, but just different economically, you're going to see alot of votes go back to Santorum.

And if you don't, guess what. It's because people are sick of Santorum, and not just Casey will be able to beat him.

So lets work to nominating a Democrat who actually supports our values. A Democrat against the war. A Democrat for a woman's right to choice. A Democrat who is for universal health care. Chuck Pennachio not only can beat Santorum....if we just grow a pair and support a real Democrat for Senator, he WILL beat Santorum.

[LetsGoMurphys]

24. Casey is NOT like Santorum trust me meet the man for 5 mins

and you will know. He actually cares about people.

[Chan790]

44. really?

I found him more transparently plastic than the spork they give me at KFC for my whipped taters.

What PA needs is less Caseys and more...well, I'll settle for less Caseys.

Ronald Reagan once siad he never left the Democratic Party, it left him...I fail to see why we can't leave the whole Casey family too; sitting on side of I-76 with a sign reading "Free to a good (GOP) home".

[LynneSin]

56. Good, let's hope he drops out - he'll make a great governor for PA

:sarcasm:

I'd rather see Casey in the Senate than in the PA Statehouse. If he wins, then in 2010 we'll have a chance to get a real candidate to run for the democratic ticket for governor. Maybe if Pennachio does a good showing in the primaries it'll help for a run at governor.

Senators cannot do as much serious damage to Pennsylvania as a governor and as someone who lived in PA for 30+ years - Caseys keep running until they win. Daddy ran 4 times until he got Governor and Junior will do the same.

Casey is a good fit for Senator and without a doubt a major improvement over Santorum

[I Have A Dream]

60. I feel exactly the same way.

In an ideal world, I wouldn't want Casey, but we're not even close to living in an ideal world.

[meow2u3]

20. Repukes will have a field day with Penacchio

Since Pinocchio is what's called a "60's liberal", repukes will spend their last dollar demonizing him.

With a name like Penacchio, they'll come up with ads depicting him as Pinocchio--long nose and all!

[Ravenseye]

23. Oh ok.

Well then lets nominate a guy who is practically a republican to take the senate seat instead.

Yay! Lets give up the Democratic party! yay!

[Hippo_Tron]

53. I can't disagree and simultaneously display a Wellstone avatar...

The truth is that I don't live in PA so I won't be making this decission. If I did live there, I would have to carefully look at Chuck Pennachio to see if he really had it in him to defeat Santorum. If I didn't believe that he could do it, or more importantly that he believed he could do it, then I would vote for Casey, who btw, is almost a sure bet to defeat Santorum.

But my point is that Casey is not a DINO like some make him out to be. He's very much in our corner on economic issues and economic issues are a core part of the Democratic platform.

[XDreamBoi]

55. Because

Pennacchio is unelectable because name recognition is what wins in PA. Let's get rid of santorum and stick Pennacchio in when Specter retires, but right now, getting rid of santorum, before he can launch a presidential bid, is top priority.

If santorum ever did run a pres bid, he might tie Pennsylvania over to the republican side, which is unacceptable.

While I admire mr. pennachio, it's not the right time for him to run.

[LetsGoMurphys]

16. You are wrong..

First of all Bob Casey is from Scranton (Norteastern Pennsylvania)which is in Lackawanna County and went blue in 2004. His economic positions are the opposite of the republican agenda. <http://bobcaseyforpa.com/issues.html> I know this guy he is so down to earth and actually CARES about people and the job he is doing for them, which is so rare these days.

[Ravenseye]

18. There's more to it than economic issues

I'm not voting for a guy who is anti-choice, pro-war, etc.

All the things we complain about Santorum are the social things. Casey people always bring up the economic differences. That's because on social issues he's the same as Santorum.

You can vote for a republican if you want, i'm not going to.

[meow2u3]

21. You sound like a one-issue pro-choice voter to me

You seem to be letting Casey's position on social issues blind you to the fact he's really one of us (in disguise, if one must think as such). We don't need inverse one-issue voters like the repukes do.

[Ravenseye]

22. You sound one issue

All I hear from the Casey people is 'economic liberal'.

Yes i'm pro-choice. Casey isn't.

I'm also for universal health care. Casey isn't.

I'm for stem cell research. Casey isn't.

I'm against the Iraq war. Casey isn't.

On everything but the economy Casey is a Republican. Not just choice. In fact choice is a very low issue for me. Health Care costs, the Iraq War are both much higher. Heck even the economy is higher than being pro-choice.

I just don't understand why we have to give up so many of our key issues. Casey isn't the only one who can beat Santorum. In fact I'd be surprised if Casey could beat him. I don't care what the polls say now.

[mrgorth]

26. Bullshit

"I'm also for universal health care. Casey isn't."

Bullshit.

[Ravenseye]

27. Prove it

Show me where he's said he's for universal health care. He's made the usual political platitudes about 'affordable' health care, but if you want to call Bullshit, which is your right, you've gotta give me a link or something.

[LetsGoMurphys]

28. here's your link

<http://www.pacatholic.org/election%20archive/gen00adg.htm>

[PittLib]

29. Outside of the specific point being made ...

(although vague, you score on this one) ...

I find it interesting that Casey has obviously differing stances on only 3 positions of the 19 mentioned (school choice, universal health care and contraceptive funding). I'll even give you 6 - for argument's sake, that the Republican is somewhat liberal and for stipulations. This compared not only to a Republican, but to a Constitution Party candidate.

So while you made a minor point, you made a greater argument for progressives to not back Casey. To be fair, this is from 2000 - and I understand that some of his positions have changed. However, I find disconcerting that, for a frontrunner who announced his candidacy months ago, you have to go that far back to learn anything of his views. His supporters should be holding his proverbial feet to the fire, if they expect to win us over - but frankly, I don't think you want to know where he stands.

[LetsGoMurphys]

30. You knew where he stood on those pro life issues before

And I am not talking about those issues. Personally I could care less about them. I'm talking about an economic liberal who will fight on our side in the war on the lower and middle class.

[PittLib]

34. "I'll get mine ...

so to hell with your issues" - is that how it works now? Because it is not merely "pro-life" issues. Do you agree with the death penalty? Do you agree with the war? Do you believe in funding stem cell research? Do you believe that homosexual unions should be recognized under the law?

So what - we'll have a so-called democrat in office ... yay!

Must be so nice to pick and choose who is recognized and allowed their rights. But, hey - you're covered so who cares? Good for you. I'll take your cue and say screw welfare and social security and labor ... hell, I guess I shouldn't care about the war either as it really doesn't affect me. This could be so liberating, not worrying about all those people who aren't ... well - me. Thanks for the tip!

It's not like anyone is asking you to consider a candidate who is against what you value ... on the contrary.

[LetsGoMurphys]

37. thats all fine because I don't know you and you don't know me

You expressed why you don't like Bob Casey. I expressed why I do. And while I do agree with you on most of those issues that you expressed in question form they are simply not my big issues. Except for Iraq because my best friend is there and im ripe age if there is a draft. I feel that Casey will best represent me in the Senate. You do not. Therefore you should vote for your guy I'm not saying that. I would just like everyone to consider him after he wins the primary.

[PittLib]

40. You so had me going ...

I agreed with this post right up until you said "after he wins the primary". We'll just see about that ... ;)

[LetsGoMurphys]

42. see post # 13

[PittLib]

43. That might mean something to me ...

one day next spring.

[Chan790]

47. I won't...

I've been clear on this in other topic and threads. I think Bob is WORSE than Rick as a Casey win leaves us no way move leftward in the future. (Me: Social Liberal, Anti-Christian, Socialist, Vegan. Unabashedly.)

I'll vote for neither but frankly if Casey loses, I won't be sad, I'll just hope he takes the hint and hangs up the spurs. He's a bad Democrat, the sort that needs to be purged from the party like Zell, Joey L. and Bob Casey Sr. The Democratic Party is NOT a quisling party.

[LetsGoMurphys]

49. who are you to say what the democratic party is or isn't

You say your a socialist. What if I were to say the democratic party doesn't want socialists. But I wouldn't do that.

[Chan790]

51. Well...

I'm also a socialist who has been a registered Democrat the entire time I've been a registered voter in the state of PA.

Man, there is a HUGE difference between ideological support of a political philosophy and support of a party. I'm a philosophical socialist (because I believe that the government can run our economy better without our interference and can provide us better return on our dollar than we can.) and a staunch Democrat. (I'm sick of kowtowing to a state Dem. party that promises us that if we support this one right-centrist because it's a close race they'll give us a good lefty-progressive some next time in a big race that never comes.) We're part of your big tent...you can't win PA without us. Casey's just one more Democrat like Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman that we're going to regret for a long time if he gets elected.

Also, How dare you question my dedication to the the Democratic party? Have you ever volunteered for a campaign, having quit your job to do so, lived on ketchup and pasta and stale donated donuts because you're broke and need to make $1000 in your checking account last through Election Day four months away so that you don't have to cut back your hours on the campaign to take a second job? Given up your entire college summer break to volunteer? Slept under your desk? Spent 8 hours in the pouring rain on your feet putting up signs or going to door-to-door collecting signatures? You may not like my opinion but goddammit I've earned the right to have it. :wtf:

[PittLib]

25. That "one issue" argument won't work ...

it is hardly one issue. It seems that the pro-Casey types are using this as a talking point because they really have no other defense... just like their campaign slogan at this time might as well be "He ain't Santorum!"

It is nice that you met the guy - and no one is arguing whether or not he is a "good guy". I'm sure he is fantastic - really. However ... in the grand scheme, I am a 30 year-old, single woman who is very decidedly pro-choice (for obvious reasons) with an Alzheimer's stricken grandmother and a quadriplegic step-brother ... oh, and I can't afford health insurance.

So don't you dare paint me as a "one-issue" voter just because you have no other valid reason why I should vote for your candidate. You should know that is taking an incredible amount of effort for me not to pepper this post with expletives. You may be willing to cavalierly toss certain key issues aside, but some of us WILL NOT ... not when we have a better choice. That does not give you the right to trivialize our rationale (and if I see you complaining about "DINOs" - I will not hesitate to call you on it).

If Casey shares your particular views ... then great - support the guy. But last time I checked, we are entitled to a fair primary - despite what DSSC is attempting ... so spare those of us with some conviction the bullying crap.

Perhaps you should bother to listen to Chuck before resorting to petty name calling ("Pinocchio") - then you may be able to construct an argument worth listening to.

On edit: I would love to hear Casey's positions on the issues, however it would seem that he is too busy fundraising to bother to express his views. But I guess such things don't matter when your candidacy has been all but handed to you.

[mrgorth]

31. Then go fucking vote for Santorum you jack ass.

[PittLib]

33. Wow - so much for intelligent discourse.

Nice of you to lower the bar around here. Do you know the purpose of a ... since we're using the word ... fucking primary? Do the fundamentals of democracy mean anything to you? Or do you simply vote for who they tell you to ... and then sit around here bitching, calling people names and wondering why our politicians suck and vote against our best interest? And then you have the nerve to insult people for having conviction. Hah! I suppose if the mods will allow "jack ass" - then they won't mind me saying ...

IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER (read: intelligent) TO OFFER, KINDLY STFU.

On edit: With your eloquence, I'm sure the Casey camp would love to have you campaign for them.

[LynneSin]

32. Look at it this way, Casey will be elected again to a statewide position

as a senator he can do a hell of alot less damage to Pennylvania than if he was governor.

If RoeVWade ever gets overturned it'll go back to the states and an anti-choice governor can cause plenty of damage for the state.

If Casey were to be elected as senator it would be highly unlikely he would be placed on the judiciary committee - a place where he could do the most damage.

Remember - Harry Reid is anti-choice and he has supported all the judicial filibusters. HOpefully when Casey is elected he'll be mentored by the likes of Reid.

I too am pro-choice but I would have no problems supporting Casey.

[PittLib]

35. Lynne - I have to say ...

you keep making this argument, and I've held my tongue thus far but with all due respect, the governorship is not a consolation prize. Casey ran. Casey lost. Unless you have somehow divined that it is an inevitability, this argument makes little sense to me. I don't understand how my fellow Pennsylvanians could deem him unfit for that position, yet find his conservative views perfectly appropriate to represent them (and the country for that matter) at a federal level. If this is how I believed voters consider their candidates - I'd move (though many on this board are doing their damnedest to convince me otherwise). Pennsylvania leans pro-choice ... past races certainly back that up. Casey himself was beat by a pro-choice candidate. We are indeed our own worst enemy when we refuse to defend our ideals ... and it is little wonder why Democrats accomplish little more than damage control (and even then, not particularly well) and are constantly being bulldozed.

[LynneSin]

36. Casey's dad ran 3 times and lost

Casey Sr.got lucky on number #4

And knowing that Casey has received more votes statewide than any other candidate ever including presidental race in PA makes him a forminable candidate that has great appeal to the moderates in this state.

Pennsylvania leans moderate which is why our state has more anti-choice democrats in office than any other state. Hell my parents are confirmed republicans but they love Tim Holden - another anti-choice democrat.

I'm a diehard pro-choice supporter but I know that Pennsylvania right now has very few democratic candidates with statewide appeal. When Ed Rendell leaves in 2010 the governor seat is up for grabs. Catherine Baker is already in her mid-70s and will probably be too old to run for governor (and oh, she's anti-choice). But the good news is there aren't that many repukes with statewide recognition either outside our 2 senators. If Casey is in the Senate that leaves the governor seat up for grabs in 2010 and we could probably get a strong pro-choice candidate running for the position.

I don't find all of Casey's views conservative. I also know that when senate pushes through anti-choice legisilation it ends up at the SUpreme Court which still precariously leans in our favor (We still have Kennedy even with the pickup of O'Conners seat to their side)..

So don't kid yourself that Casey will never run for governor again because if given the opportunity he will. He watched daddy run for governor 4 times until he got the position and Jr is only in his mid-40s so he has plenty of elections left in him still. But if Casey was a US Senator he'd be out of the picture for governor and we would have a chance to get some strong democratic candidates built up to take over for when Rendell is done.

[LetsGoMurphys]

38. Your absolutely right

Casey will run for Governor again. I believe his agenda is mostly about Pennsylvania and has very little to do with the federal government.

[LynneSin]

39. Yes but if he gets senator he won't run for at least 6 years

And hopefully in those 6 years we'll get a democrat in office, control of the senate and the opportunity to put judges who aren't activists for the neo-conservative movement on the bench.

[PittLib]

41. I think many Pennsylvanians learned a lesson ...

with Casey, Sr. He pushed through the strictest abortion laws in recent history and the majority of Democrats are pro-choice (as well as a good number of Republicans). Now that SCR is inextricably tied to abortion issues, voters have a much more personal stake in the matter. I think a moderate pro-choice Republican would kick Casey's butt. While I understand that there are many factors that contribute - Santorum's approval rating is very low, yet Specter's has remained high. If we are such social conservatives ... why do suppose that is? Casey will not attract moderates who have liberal social views and who want a clear separation of church and state.

If we keep indulging this "name recognition" way of electing candidates, where they have to have the $$$ to run several times for for an office just to get people to stand up and take notice ... I think we are doing ourselves a great disservice. Nothing will ever change. And it is just this kind of rationalizing that would get Casey voted governor, if we allow it to continue.

Once again - I'm just trying to get people to acknowledge that there is a primary and to not get too far ahead of this race. There has got to be a better argument out there to justify a Casey vote than what I've heard (which amounts to "he's not that bad"). Seriously. And it certainly strikes me odd that for all the complaining about DINO's around here - that so many are actively endorsing one. Casey is on the wrong side of multiple issues, and I can just imagine seeing his name on the list of crossover votes.

This is not about the general election - there will be plenty of time for that. It is about getting people to think a bit and stand up for what they believe if they ever expect anything to change. The difference between us and the Republicans IMHO is conviction. We are forced to "hold our nose" and vote way to often ... and why? We've lost our voice if we give in to the strategists, who have their own agenda. I know I must sound like a Nadarite (I'm not) and while I backed Kerry from the moment I knew he was running, I'd have been behind Dean wholeheartedly if I had only known what I know now. We have to get involved in the election process long before it becomes a two man race - and a primary should not be a mere formality. I'm rambling now so I'll stop.

I do see where your coming from, I just can't accept it as a valid reason to back Casey at this point.

[LetsGoMurphys]

45. I understand your point

but when you say you think PA has learned its lesson. I believe they have in a different way. Theyve learned to stop running weak people against Rick Santorum.

[Chan790]

46. then why are we running Bob Casey?

by far, the weakest of the bunch.

[LetsGoMurphys]

48. Weak? Hes up 15 points on the number 2 senator

Bob Casey received the most votes in Pennsylvania history last year! His fundraising is through the roof (More than Santorum which is an accomplisment considering his past fundraising numbers). No one in PA would have this kind of lead at this point. If you want to debate his stance on issues, thats fine. But he is certainly not weak.

[Chan790]

50. Ducks.

Santorum is a lame duck.

He'd lose to Casey, Pennacchio or Satan Incarnate at this point. Casey is up 18 points on a lame duck who has lamed himself by moving too far outside the mainstream on choice and war issues. A 9-point swing puts us back to a tie and that's not a good margin when half the democrat registered voters in PA still think Casey's pro-choice and anti-war. It's not hard to out-fundraise a lame-duck either. If Casey was not in this race, Chuck would have 100% of that money. It's all ABR, the majority of it raised for Casey by Chuck Schumer. Bob's a paper-doll candidate.

Further, he just blew his pro-union shtick by saying he'd vote to confirm John Roberts, a corporatist and VERY anti-union nominee to the SCOTUS. I'll be shocked if he finishes above 25% of the popular vote in PA once the GOP starts to hit him with the "Rick-Impostor" ads, simultaneously bolstering Santorum's base support and cutting Casey's democratic base of support off at the knees.

After Casey loses, we need to purge the state leadership of these weak-kneed Democrats that think we have to run right of center to win. Yeah, because that has worked at any point in the last 35 years for us.

[Ravenseye]

52. That's sort of the point though isn't it?

issues?

Casey's lead is because he's listed as a Democrat and he's running against Santorum. Anyone would be beating him at this point.

The problem is that we'll get to the actual election, not the primary, and Santorum will say 'he's the same as me on pretty much every issue'. It's not going to turn republican voters, which is what people seem to think.

Santorum is his own worst enemy, but Casey is perhaps the worst candidate we could put up against him. Once it gets down to the actual election, and actual issues Casey can't just coast on "Hi I'm Bob Casey" anymore. He'll have to take stands, and stand by his record, and these poll numbers that people keep spouting are gonna drop.

We need to beat Santorum, and I really don't think Casey will do it with the "Keep your head down and dont' discuss your conservative views" strategy. It works now with name recognition to get money and win a primary, but the actual election....

Not to mention that we need to elect an actual democrat. One who shares the majority of our positions, not the majority of theirs.

[PittLib]

59. Hi Ravenseye ...

I attended a DNC fundraiser with Howard Dean this past Tuesday ... all in all a great event, with one minor glitch. Dean was spot on, clubbing the Republicans on "pro-life", "anti-science" SCR positions, religion, and their lack of appeal to minorities. He truly is amazing, but even he couldn't defend the indefensible ... Casey. When my friend posed a question about SCR expansion and Casey's lack of support - Dean contradicted everything thing he so wisely and eloquently stated in the previous 30-some minutes by backing Casey. I went from feeling hopeful and energized - to wanting to bang my head against a wall frustrated. Now I tried to keep perspective by reminding myself that Dean had little to nothing to do with the selection of Casey, and nailing him on the issue was not particularly fair or satisfying ... but the fact that he could make no better case for the man than anyone I've heard yet (which is to is to presumptuously suggest that Casey's conservative tendencies are benign, and that he'll put the party first) really do not bode well for this state and our consideration of our candidates. Casey is a pawn put in place by the DSCC - and we are the victims ... until we let them know that it is unacceptable, and it is precisely that - absolutely unacceptable. When Howard Dean can only offer "trust me" and "don't worry, we'll keep him in check" as an endorsement, we need be concerned.

[LynneSin]

57. All the more reason to have Casey as a senator

First, there are many issues about Bob that I agree - outside of choice he's not that bad of a guy. Remember that Harry Reid is anti-choice and yet he stuck with all the filibusters. Hopefully when Bob wins he'll have a mentor like Reid to help make him an effective senator and not screw up choice anymore than what his dad has already done. More than likely Casey will NOT be on the judiciary committee, so there is very little damage that Casey can do for choice.

Now, if Casey is governor (and he will be in 2010 if he's not in the Senate), he can do a ton of damage to our state when it comes to choice. If RoeVWade is overturned ( :scared: ), then it will go back to the states to decide the abortion laws. And since we're dealing with a repuke lead congress in PA, Casey would have no problem with getting abortion laws overturned.

Casey isn't a bad man - but he's a determined man like his father who will keep running until he wins again and the senate is a safer seat.

But saying that, I would love to see Chuck run a strong race against Casey. We need more democrats with statewide recogniztion and in 2010 we will probably have not one but two major races with open seats since Rendell's term will be done (Lt. Gov Knoll is already 75 years old - doubtful she'll run for governor) and more than likely this is Arlen Spector's last term as senator. So it would be nice to see Chuck P. get his name recognition built up for future statewide races.

This race is too important and needs the most viable candidate which right now is Bob Casey Jr.

[struggle4progress]

13. Casey Up, Santorum Down in Pennsylvania’s Senate Race

Polling Data

If the 2006 election for senator were being held today, and the candidates were Bob Casey Jr. the Democrat and Rick Santorum the Republican for whom would you vote?

Oct. 2005 Jul. 2005 Apr. 2005

Bob Casey Jr. (D) 52% 50% 49%
Rick Santorum (R) 34% 39% 35%
Someone else 1% -- 1%
Would not vote 2% 1% 1%
Not sure 11% 11% 13%

Source: Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,530 Pennsylvania voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, 2005. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/9285

[dajoki]

54. go write another book, ricky

you're toast.