Here is a text book example of why Casey or any other Democrat

[dsc]

is better than any Republican.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/18/senate.gaymarriage.ap/index.html

Amid increasing partisan tension over President Bush's judicial nominees and domestic wiretapping, the panel voted along party lines to send the constitutional amendment -- which would prohibit states from recognizing same-sex marriages -- to the full Senate, where it stands little chance of passing.

Democrats complained that bringing up the amendment is a purely political move designed to appeal to the GOP's conservative base in this year of midterm elections. Under the domed ceiling of the ornate and historic President's Room off the Senate floor, senators voted 10-8 to send the measure forward.

Among Feingold's objections was Specter's decision to hold the vote in the President's Room, where access by the general public is restricted, instead of in the panel's usual home in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Specter later said he would have been willing to hold the session in the usual room had he thought doing so would change votes.

Not all those who voted "yes" support the amendment, however. Specter said he is "totally opposed" to it, but felt it deserved a debate in the Senate.

end of quote

This is what always happens. In my home state of NC the state version of this Amendment has died in committee for the past several years. If Casey were in the Senate as our last seat needed for a majority we would have that 10 to 8 majority and we would vote it down in committee. Leadership votes are not literally the only thing but they are even more than the most important thing. Casey won't be on the Judiciary committee he wouldn't even want to be on it. Casey's seat makes it that much more likely that Russ Feingold will be on the majority side of this vote instead of the minority side. Voting for Casey is voting for Kennedy, Levin, Durbin, Biden, Boxer, and a whole bunch of others to be called Mr or Madam Chairperson. Chairman Leahy for Judicial, Kennedy for education, Levin for Armed Services and so on.

Casey is one vote in the Senate but his one vote in the leadership could make all the difference on what is voted on. A Democratic majority means no vote on these evil amendments even as Casey might well vote for it given the chance. Leadership and committees matter. They decide what the Senate's agenda is. Casey is superior to even the likes of Chaffee on this alone.

[skipos]

1. Exactly.

While I don't agree with Casey on abortion, I think the democratic tent is big enough for him. If PA dems would have chosen another candidate, I would have been fine with that too. Job#1 right now is taking back the house and senate.

[Spangle]

2. BINGO!

I tried to explain that to some folks during hte 2000 election. THe group was actually focused on homnsexual rights. Two canidates spoke in a form, and the 'group' decided they liked the GOP answers a 'little' better. LITTLE isn't enough. Considering if (which they did) the GOP holds the majority.. the GOP's ideas that they liked a 'little' wouldn't EVER be heard.

And if they only liked them a 'little', it's not a main/point issue for that canidate. So that canidate will not fight hard for that issue. And will fall back on the 'party line' easily. And the GOP party line on homosexual rights is?????

Well, the GOP canidate won. THey got the one they 'supported.' Not that it did any good. WIth a GOP majority.....

As I explained to the few memembers I was chatting with. Even if the canidate is 'luke warm' to your issue, so long as they are not totally opposed.. they can be 'workable.' For one, help in gaining the MAJORITY for a party that does support the issue. Second, they can be encouraged to vote the party line. IT's the vote that actually counts.

While we all want a canidate that is 'hot' on our issues. There are way to many issues for them to be 'hot' everything. Everyone has their focus and what they want to achieve. WE just got to figure out how to make it work for us little voters who send these folks up there.

On the federal level.. and even on the state level... it does make a difference WHAT is elected.

[rep the dems]

3. You're probably right.

But if Casey wins but the dems still don't get a majority, we could have another, dare I say it, Joe Lieberman. Bob Casey is not a real democrat. If we remain the minority in 2007, he'll probably just pick up where Santorum left off. :mad: