WP: PA Senate candidate Casey defends role of religion in politics

[DeepModem Mom]

Senate Candidate Speaks of Life, Faith
Pa.'s Casey, Hoping to Oust Santorum, Defends Role of Religion in Politics
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 15, 2006; Page A03


Democrat Robert P. Casey Jr., an abortion opponent, speaks at Catholic University's law school, whose dean, Veryl Victoria Miles, is at left. (By Chris Greenberg -- Associated Press)

Robert P. Casey Jr., the Democratic candidate seeking to unseat Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) in one of the country's hottest election campaigns, told a largely Roman Catholic audience yesterday that in his view, "neither party has gotten it right when it comes to life issues."

Casey, a lifelong Catholic who opposes abortion, is the second high-profile Democrat who has recently given a major address defending the place of religion in politics. In June, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) criticized "liberals who dismiss religion in the public square as inherently irrational or intolerant."

Since the 2004 presidential election, in which voters who attend church weekly voted 2 to 1 for President Bush over Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), Democrats have sought to close what some call the "God gap" in U.S. politics.

Casey's candidacy is viewed by Democratic strategists not only as one of the party's best opportunities to pick up a Senate seat, but also as an illustration of its growing inclusion of politicians who oppose abortion and of its desire to reach out to religiously motivated voters.

In a 45-minute lecture at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, his alma mater, Casey said that America "must be a country dedicated to the common good" and that "my understanding of our common good comes from my family and my faith."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/14/AR2006091401649.html

[CarlVK]

1. Oh great. We get a choice of Santorum or Santorum lite.

Ever feel like just jumping of a bridge?

[Erika]

3. Santorum would dictate his religious beliefs into law

Casey would not. Makes a big difference. Theocracy vs democracy.

[Erika]

2. Democrats are Pro-life but with a choice

They think the woman, not the government, knows what is the best option. It's her business, not the government's.