Santorum-Casey Race Headlines 2006, So Far

[Placebo]

The curtain is rising on a pitched political drama in Pennsylvania featuring the parties' brightest stars, big sums of money and two well-known candidates for Senate — who in turn are trading charges of negative campaign tactics. And it's not even 2006 yet.

More than nine months out, Sen. Rick Santorum and his likely Democratic opponent, Pennsylvania State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., have begun what's expected to be one of the nation's most-watched races of the midterm elections. Jabbing at each other in interviews, the two are crisscrossing the state for potluck dinners and running Internet ads as they prepare for an expected $50 million political brawl.

Santorum, No. 3 in the Senate Republican leadership lineup, is seeking a third term with a campaign that has so far has been lagging behind. Casey has the added recognition of the namesake of his father, the late popular Gov. Bob Casey.

Santorum isn't being helped much by a national Republican Party with tattered coattails. Bruised by recent scandals including the indictment of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, Republicans aim to keep a tight hold on Congress as Democrats burnish their own message, "We can do better."

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[Divernan]

1. Santorum is going down, baby! (Figuratively speaking only of course.)

nt

[SoCalDem]

2. I hope you are right, BUT

remember Georgia '02? With the sketchy (at best) election system we have, "upsets" are more and more common these days..

[Divernan]

4. In PA we have a Dem governor and Supreme Court, unlike Georgia

nt

[Greeby]

3. No, actually that would make him seem normal

As opposed to a fetus-lover :scared:

[uberblonde]

5. Never say never.

No matter what you think of his politics, Santorum is an excellent campaigner while Bobby Casey is as dull as a can of paint. (Even the people who really like him admit he's very bad in front of a crowd. Read the reports from the Dems who attended the recent Pennsylvania Society weekend in NYC.)

I really worry that Santorum may actually pull this off.

[MrSlayer]

6. Nah, Santorum has too much baggage.

Not just just the insane things he says and the blatant flip flopping but the people of PA are really unhappy with him living in Virginia and taking our tax dollars to pay for his kids' schooling. The material writes itself against him. He's an obvious whackjob nutcase.

[Crowdance]

7. Plus, Casey may be unable to pull in the entire Democratic base

because of his anti-choice stance. I agree that this contest is not in the bag.

[zann725]

8. It'll be "interesting" as he leans central, then "Left"...IF he has to...

to TRY and win.

But unless they fix the machines...Ricky'll be packing his bags to go home soon...to "spend more time with his family"...as 'some say.'

[flaminbats]

9. the three-time loss from the holy cross..

Rick Santorum may be behind in the polls, but Bob Casey better not take victory for granted.

I remember Governor Casey wasn't exactly exciting and for years that anti-choice position was his main disadvantage! When he ran against Scranton, his position on abortion only helped him win because enough neocons were pissed at Scranton.

I doubt many neocons will oppose Santorum because of abortion. If Casey wants to win, he needs to nail Santorum on healthcare. Santorum is such a radical on healthcare..he opposes basic reforms like the patients' bill of rights, portability for health insurance, and coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. If Casey really wants to turn his "pro-life" position into an advantage..he needs to nail Santorum for being actively pro-death in supporting this bloodshed in Iraq, the deaths of those who are uninsured, and happily slashing medical benefits for those in uniform.


The Bush family has never been popular in Pennsylvania, yet Santorum has made every attempt to embrace this administration. Pennsylvania is certainly not a Democratic state, but it has never embraced the radicalism of this Republican Congress. I think Casey will win, but he must never forget how his father earned a politically poisoned reputation!

[Thom Little]

10. Go Casey!

[fujiyama]

11. This is by far the biggest must win race

There is absolutely no excuse to lose this one. I'm a bit uneasy about some polls showing this one getting tighter. Graneted, that just be republicans 'coming home' to Santorum. He's made a fool of himself, especially over the last year or so with Schaivo, the idiotic book he wrote, etc. This is by far the biggest must win race of '06 (if we want ANY chances of taking back the senate - a very difficult prospect as it is).