Inquirer: Casey Pressured to Run for Senate

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/10501002.htm

"The talk began almost immediately after Election Day: Run Democrat Bob Casey Jr. for U.S. Senate in 2006.

Casey had just won the state treasurer's job by receiving more votes than any other candidate in Pennsylvania history and sweeping socially conservative counties increasingly unkind to Democrats. Party operatives quickly saw a match in pitting Casey, an abortion and gun-control opponent, against Republican Sen. Rick Santorum.

That unexpected shift to Casey, who suffered a bruising primary defeat for governor just two years ago, stemmed not only from the size of his Nov. 2 victory, but also its scope. It illustrated that, not unlike the national party, state Democrats are chasing ways to bridge Pennsylvania's own red-blue schism.

Even though the state went to Democrat John Kerry in the presidential race, some see the party as growing marginalized - flourishing in the Southeast and the Pittsburgh area, but losing almost everywhere else to Republicans.

Attention has turned to Democrats such as Casey because he defied the trend. He won 32 out of 47 Republican counties and, to some, embodied the type of candidate the party should more readily embrace.

National Democrats, who are hungry to defeat Santorum, have taken notice. Casey received a call Wednesday from New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who encouraged him to run. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada did the same two weeks ago.

Casey, 44, said he is "open to any suggestion" but remains focused on finishing his second term as state auditor general and being sworn in next month as treasurer. His goal is to be governor someday, but he appears to be taking the Senate idea seriously, discussing a bid with supporters and family.

While deciding how to spend his political capital, Casey has begun talking bluntly about the health of his party and the need, as he sees it, to appeal beyond the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. "There is a 40-year gradual, sometimes dramatic, slide that our party has to deal with," he said of national Democrats."

[blue neen]

1. Santorum is definitely vulnerable in 2006.

The cyber school rip-off of taxpayers made people in SW PA furious.
They will not forget!

[okieinpain]

2. I've been saying all along by any means necessary. just as long

as he remembers he's a dem. this is what the repugs have been doing for a while now. running dems as repugs lite's.

[Patiod]

3. I hate to say it but

Casey would take the air out of any effort by the Catholic Church to GOTV for Santorum, and the Catholic Church is huge in Pennsylvania.

There are an awful lot of moderate/middle-of-the-road Catholics in the state, folks who lean Democrat but will vote pro-life where that's the major difference between candidates. My parents and ALL of their friends come to mind.

Take that off the table, and the Church has little reason to get involved, and the Republicans lose their wedge issue. Plus Casey has 1) name recognition 2) he's not from Eastern PA (very important, since most PA voters have an automatic dislike of anyone from the Phila area)

[Prodemsouth]

13. Why do "you hate to say it" A Santorum defeat would not be Good??

n/t

[Patiod]

22. I would prefer to support a more pro-choice candidate

But I'll hold my nose and vote Casey if that's what it takes to oust Santorum

[Prodemsouth]

4. Casey will run - but it will be a open seat- Repugs will run a moderate.

Look for a Specter clone, and he/she may win-because of the pro abortion crowd- not the thinking pro choice people. They will join forces with "yellow dog Republicans". Santorum will not seek reelection for the US Senate in 06 due to his run for President. Just a hunch.

[blue neen]

5. If Casey makes it through the Democratic primaries,

he'd probably have a good chance against any Repub they throw his way. Casey will meet up with his main opposition with the pro-abortion crowd in the primaries.

Just my opinion! :)

[Prodemsouth]

7. Let me say what I mean- about pro choice and pro abortion.

A pro choice person- is a person who believes that there are times when this is a tragic personal and family decision- but is wary or does not support abortion being used as a method of birth control. But believes Roe v Wade should not be overturned because of the medical, personal and life threating issues that could arise. When we talk about abortion in detail most Americans are pro choice. A pro abortion person believes if you don't love abortion your not on their side. I have seen how pro abortion people ruined the chance of taking congressional seats because a candidate was not pro abortion enough.

[Joy Anne]

17. I suppose I'm part of what you call the "proabortion crowd"

None of these pro-birth politicians has the right to tell me or any other woman what to do with our bodies, especially not going by their religiophilosophical theory that a full-blown, rights-filled human being comes into being at the instant a microscopic sperm meets a microscopic ovum.

Such a politician won't win a Democratic primary unless it's split six ways, like it was last time. If such a politician becomes the Democratic candidate, he'll lose anyhow, because the liberal Republican swing vote in the burbs won't bother voting.

[blue neen]

18. Actually, I was replying to the previous poster and used one of

his/her terms in my reply.

I actually don't know how I would feel about Casey running for senator because of his stance on this issue. I tend to feel basically the same way you do about it.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the primary, to say the very least! :)

[Joy Anne]

23. thanks

for the clarification.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Why do you think it will be an open seat?

[Prodemsouth]

11. See my comments below- in the thread. Santorum knows he should have

went down in 2000- because the PA Dem party was a basket case in 2000, he survived. But the Dem Gov win, Kerry taking the state in 2004, not good signs. Its now or never- The Presidency.

[PittPoliSci]

20. Santorum will run for president, but he'll probably still run for senate.

He'll just resign in 2 years if some how we fail to unseat him. I see 2006 as a good year for PA democrats.

[saltpoint]

6. Has Santorum given any indication --

-- of what he's planning? He's rising in the GOP Senate power structure and it seems as if he would want to work the levers from there.

If he ran for president, he would face a formidable field of fellow GOP candidates and I don't see him surviving the first round.

And does anybody know what Pat Toomey is up to?

God, the GOP slate in Pennsylvania is kind of depressing.

[Prodemsouth]

9. His plan is to use his Senate power - to further his Presidental run.

I think he knows he will be considered a good prospect for defeat in 06. That is why I think he is going to use these next two years to earn chits with fellow Repugs. Kerry's win in PA is not a good sign for him- he is way too red for PA. But never put it past the Dems to blow it. If they had their act together in 2000- he should have went down then. He knows that he should have lost- so that is why he has made these loud appeals to the religious right- these are the base- the primary voters.

[saltpoint]

14. Well, I hope he does leave the Senate.

I certainly can't stand the man, as far as that goes.

But I still don't see him competing with McCain, Frist, etc. for the GOP presidential nomination.

[Penndems]

26. Toomey is taking over the leadership of the Club for Growth

Toomey to Lead Club for Growth

According to the National Review Online and confirmed independently, former Congressman Pat Toomey will take over the reins at the Club for Growth. The current President, Stephen Moore, will leave to form a Republican lobbying group.


Link:

http://www.politicspa.com/

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. Why would I bother to choose Casey over Santorum?

Seriously, as a moderate Republican, what would motivate me to even vote in 06 if this is the choice? I detest Santorum's narrow minded views but Casey Jr. is at least against a safe medical procedure for choice. What are his other positions re: social issues?

I still like the idea of Chris Heinz against Santorum.

[Prodemsouth]

12. This is an example of what I am talking about- still not good enough on

abortion. I am a Democrat, consider myself a progressive though some may disagree with my description of myself. I don't want anyone connected to Kerry- or any Richie Rich types, we haven't been winning with those lately. No more Clintons either!!

[JPZenger]

15. Santorum Won't Run for President

I believe the powers that be will convince Santorum to not run for President. Bill Furst wants the job - he will offer Santorum whatever he wants to get Santorum to run for Senate re-election.

Abortion is not a deal breaker for most swing voters, one way or another. Casey however brings solid credentials, name recognition and an ability to relate the common folk. Even if Casey is flawed, he is a our best chance of getting rid of that embarrasment to PA. - Santorum.

Casey could even be offered the Dem. nomination for Governor after Rendell leaves in the future, if Casey first runs for the Senate.

[Prodemsouth]

16. The Rovain strategy is to increase the GOP power base and go

outside the south. Frist is from Tenn.

[LetsGoMurphys]

19. casey will not run

I am from Scranton (Caseyville), from what I hear he will not run for senate he will run for governor again, much like his father who I believe lost twice before becoming governor.
PS he should run I am sick and tired of dems complaining about republicans being one issue voters then they immediately bash a candidate who is pro-life. Go ahead and abstain your vote, if you deserve Rick Santorum. Where the hell are your brains? Bobby Casey is a great man and will be a great leader in the senate.

[PittPoliSci]

21. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[IrishDemocrat]

24. I agree

While I may be a pro-choice Democrat from Philadelphia, Bob Casey stands our best chance and I'd vote for him in the primary. If anything I have more of a problem with his gun stances. Even so, abortion and guns are minor issues and I want that facist Santorum out mroe than anything.

[Penndems]

25. If the rumors concerning Lieutenant Governor Knoll are true

- that is, she won't be on the ticket in '06 - I suspect Governor Rendell will tap Bob Casey to be his running mate, which will keep the Governor's Mansion under Democratic control for quite some time (barring any unforeseen circumstances).

I've got a strong hunch about this.

[Freddie Stubbs]

28. I'm not sure that Casey would want a do-nothing job like Lt. Gov.

when he could be State Treasurer.

The latest rumor that I have read was that Rendell would try to get Hafer to run for LG to take out Baker Knoll. Those women hate each other, and it would certainly make an interesting campaign.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

27. As long as he gives us the vote on everything else.....

I will fully support him.