Casey unveils ethics plan; Santorum calls for debates

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

Casey, a likely Democratic challenger to Santorum in 2006, said the two-term senator is a leader of the "K Street Project," a GOP effort to pressure lobbying firms to hire Republicans and keep money flowing to the party.

"What happens at those meetings and as a result of those meetings, is at best of questionable ethics," said Casey, whose plan would bar members of Congress from "using threats or coercion" to influence hiring decisions of lobbying firms.

Former House Majority leader Tom DeLay and lobbyist Jack Abramoff also have ties to the project, which is named after the street where many lobbyists work. Both have been indicted on charges unrelated to the project and have denied any wrongdoing. Casey's press briefing was held at Signatures restaurant in Washington, which used to be owned by Abramoff.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15576560&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6

Sen. Rick Santorum has formally challenged his probable Dem opponent, Bob Casey Jr., to debates -- a year before the election.

"Dear Bob,

The election for the United States Senate is less than a year away, and there has already been tremendous attention paid to our expected match-up. Your campaign manager and your surrogates have been active in viciously attacking my positions and my record. However, so many in Pennsylvania know little about where you stand. I believe it is time for us to come together and approach these issues head-on through a series of debates. "

"My intention in this debate proposal is sincere, because I think it is imperative that you and I have an honest debate about the issues affecting Pennsylvania and the country. We have an obligation to inform the voters of Pennsylvania with our positions on the issues in a fair and objective forum. To that end, I propose that we have ten debates between now and Election Day. The first and last debate would focus on general topics, while the other eight would each focus on one issue."

"The specific details of each debate would be determined by you and I or our representatives. It is my sincere hope that you take this proposal seriously. Our forthrightness will be a benefit to Pennsylvania voters. Feel free to contact me through my campaign manager, Vince Galko, at 717-635-7184 so we may discuss this further. I look forward to hearing from you."

Sincerely,


Rick Santorum

United States Senate

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2005/11/post_1.html

[Arkana]

1. Oh, please, please, please...

Let Little Ricky make an even BIGGER ass of himself in a debate. If ever there was a golden opportunity to destroy Senator Man-on-Dog Sex for Casey's campaign, this is it.

[niyad]

2. note to self: let all your PA friends know when and where.

[beyurslf]

3. A year before the election and the incumbent wants debates?

He is running scared!

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

6. It's effin hysterical! Has ANY incumbent EVER done this before?

He should be running scared because, starting with Dover, PA last Tuesday, Pennsylvania is cleansing itself of RW theocratic wackos...and, yes, (P)ricky, that means you.

[nickshepDEM]

4. This is tricky. Regardless of what you think of Santorum...

he is a great debater and public speaker. If I was Casey Id issue a statement that goes something like this, "Mr. Santorum is obviously desperate. Desperate like the President. When the time is right there will be debates, right now I am focused on winning the democratic primary."

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

7. Casey response:

Casey's campaign manager, Jay Reiff, said Casey would be happy to debate Santorum after candidates win their respective party nomination, but accused Santorum of trying to "distract attention away from his involvement with the K Street Project."

[yellowcanine]

9. Casey makes a good point. Who says Santorum will even be nominated?

PA pubbies may decide to dump Little Ricky of Virginia.

[Conker]

5. Santorum's involvement with DeLay and Abramoff is a bigger issue than

Santorum's little head-on debate.

[thefloyd]

8. I really like Democrats have just

one talking point "Culture of Corruption". Cracks me up

[wisteria]

10. Good for Casey!! We don't need anymore repub corruption! n/t

[tritsofme]

11. A major sign of weakness

When a candidate screams for debates, you know they are in a weak position.

[snowbear]

12. Yeah really...

Good for Casey!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ :headbang: