Casey, one of Santorum's challengers, announces endorsement of Alito

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - Sen. Rick Santorum's leading Democratic challenger, Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey, announced Tuesday that he endorses Judge Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

For weeks, Republicans have called Casey "Silent Bob" and pressed him to say whether he supports Alito's confirmation. Casey and Alito have a family connection because Alito, who serves on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in Philadelphia, sided with Casey's father, the late Gov. Bob Casey, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The case challenged a state law requiring women seeking abortions to notify their spouses.

"I do not agree with everything that Judge Samuel Alito has done or said - particularly many of his rulings which too often result in corporate power prevailing over the interests of consumers and workers," Casey said in a statement. "However, I agree with The Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post editorial boards that the arguments against Judge Alito do not rise to the level that would require a vote denying him a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court."

Santorum's campaign manager responded with a statement accusing Casey of ducking the issue and then following the lead of Santorum, the No. 3 Senate Republican. Both candidates are generally against abortion. Santorum came out strong in support of Alito at a conservative rally Jan. 8.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/13702191.htm

[Hestia]

1. This is the only Democrat they can find???

[HootieMcBoob]

4. there's another challenger

he's a true progressive. his name is chuck pennachio http://www.chuck2006.com/ he's running behind in the polls and doesn't have the support of the democratic establishment because of Casey's name recognition. I used to lean toward Casey just because he was a shoe in to beat Santorum but at this point I think that anybody not named Santorum could beat Santorum and after this idiotic bullshit coming from Casey I'm afraid that he would be another lieberman.

[hopein08]

15. There is also Alan Sandals as challenger

I believe his website is http://www.alansandals.com. But if that doesn't work you can check the Campaign Underground. I posted the site there but can't be 100% sure now.

[FreedomAngel82]

29. Maybe that can change now

Maybe the DNC can help.

[CatholicEdHead]

2. How will this effect Casy's chances in the PA primary

coming up to decide who to run against Santorum?

[wisteria]

17. Actually, that his position on abortion is very similar to Santorum's

works in the Democrats favor, IMO.

[tkmorris]

3. Casey you have lost your mind

Every Dem in the country wanted to see you whip Santorum, many of which would have contributed. And yet you just went and pissed all of us off.

Brilliant move, moron.

[Blue_Forney05]

5. At least Casey for Senator

is better than having "Rick, man on dog sex" Santorum as Senator. I'd rather have Casey repesenting my state any day over the nutcase in there now.

[tkmorris]

8. So would I

However he could have enjoyed enthusiastic support nationwide, now he's just going to get the same lukewarm stuff usually reserved for Lieberman and Ben Nelson. He might even get a serious run in the primary from Pennachio (sp?) who already has Casey's anti-abortion stance to pound away at. The man is positioning himself as an unabashed Pepub-lite candidate.

[FreedomAngel82]

30. When he's supporting Alito?!

I don't think so.

[BlueManDude]

6. pretty cowardly move on casey's part

i guess he thinks this will help him in pa - alito is after all from pa.

on the other hand, he may just agree with alito on the issues which is an even more odious thought.

[Erika]

10. Exactly

Who needs a worthless GOP clone?

[snowbear]

7. Is he the Democratic frontrunner against inSANEatorum?

Geez.. I hope not!

[wisteria]

9. If this is actually true, I would say he is voting as his conscious

would dictate. I'm disappointed,but I would still vote for him over Santorum and think he has the best chance of beating him. And besides, he really is not voting on this appointment. It just alerts us what to expect in the future if he is elected. I found it more interesting that the Philadelphia Inquire has suggested that there is no good reason not to vote for Alito.

[Erika]

11. Casey is against the woman's right to choose

He, Santorum, and Alito are made of the same cloth. They would all force women to carry through a pregnancy.
Moral male sob's.

[wisteria]

14. I am well aware of his opinions about choice. I even remember

and disliked his father's pushing for restrictions. Believe me, I am not happy with this position. I was at one time a very active member of NARAL. I just think we need to consider the whole package and what he could bring to the Senate if he were elected. On most other issues he is a good Democratic fit and I think we would lose running a choice candidate in this state. We don't need this election to be about abortion. The Catholic hierarchy will shame and push their brethren to vote against our Pro-Choice candidate and for Santorum just like they did during the last election.We will lose Democratic votes. At this point in some suburbs and in the western portion of the state, Democrats are voting Republican in alarming numbers.

[AX10]

18. and that's why I finnally left the Catholic Church.

[AX10]

13. This is sad. Abortion is the only issue for him?

What about civil liberties? What about the unitary executive? Economic Issues?
Casey should know that these matter too.

[wisteria]

16. I am sure it is not the only issue he cares about, obviously, he

feels he knows Alito enough and he doesn't consider Alito a threat to our civil liberties. He is not alone in his assessment unfortunately.

[John Q. Citizen]

12. Casey is anti choice too. I say lets help Dr. Chuck Pennacchio, a

progressive Democrat, get to the Senate.

Check his positions on the issues.

Pro choice, advocates stopping Alito by any means possible including a filibuster.

http://www.chuck2006.com/aboutus.asp
snip
A Ph.D. in American, European and Diplomatic History, Chuck is Director of the History Program at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He teaches courses in American History, National Security Studies and Politics and the Media. He serves on the board of The Tabor Children's House, is a member of Plumsteadville Grange #1734 and has coached youth athletics since he was 16. He participates at his children’s elementary school and teaches 3d and 4th graders at Buxmont Unitarian Church.

Chuck is an expert in international diplomacy, served as Personal Aide to US Senator Alan Cranston and as Military Personnel Advocate for Congressman Ron Dellums, organized winning campaigns for Senators Tom Harkin, Tim Wirth and Paul Simon. Unlike his competitors for Pennsylvania's 2006 Senate race, Chuck knows how to win tough races and fight successfully for all Pennsylvanians as your United States Senator.

As an expert in American History and Politics, Chuck knows what makes an effective United States Senator: being informed about foreign policy, national defense and homeland security; considering all Senate business in a larger historical and constitutional context. Chuck’s understanding of our nation’s history and our Constitution is sorely needed in Washington now.

more

[wisteria]

19. Pennacchio is running at the wrong time. His winning could result

in a contest over Abortion Rights- which we don't want or need right now. The anti-choice crowds in PA are very mobilized and with the encouragement of their churches are pushing on the premise that this is their time to make a difference and weaken Roe vs Wade and make inroads to overturning it. Casey defuses this focus over abortion and forces everyone to vote on other issues and values.

[snowbear]

21. Aren't there more pro-choice Pennsylvanians than anti-choice?

Heck.. I live in Alaska and it's even BIG TIME pro-choice. I would've sure though PA was too.. :shrug:

[wisteria]

26. There are very energized Anti-choice groups that may not be

a majority, but will certainly be out voting and encouraging others to vote also. Then we have the "I support a womens right to choose", but it's not a burning issue for them. This crowd would also be receptive to restrictions based on misleading and inflammatory information put out by the Anti-Choice crowds. IMO, now is not the time in PA to start a campaign fight over this issue.I think the stakes are to high and we risk having Santorun reelected.

[shance]

33. That is not true Wisteria. Pennacchio is candidate right for the job.

He's a bonafied Democrat. Casey is a Republican in Democrats clothing.

Hes SUPPORTING ALITO???? An extremist nominee who has revealed part of his agenda is to give more power to President Bush?

What part of Democrat does that fall under, along with his support for the invasion of Iraq, along with his contributions from Halliburton, and his staunch opposition to a woman having control over her own body?

Where are these found in the Democratic handbook?

[Idioteque]

20. Ed Rendell endorsed Alito too...yuck! n/t

[wisteria]

22. Well, I suppose he was asked and he is running for reelection.

Although, I don't know why his opinion is important at all. Abortion and Roe vs Wade are the duck and cover issues in PA. Unfortunately, the Anti- Choice (anti-abortion) crowds are very active and very vocal, and right now are more energized than the Pro-Choice crowds.It's better to let it not become an issue at this time.

[Doctor_J]

23. DOn't Dems endorsing ultra-winger Scalito help Ricky' s chances?

It seems to me that endorsin Scalito means endorsing Smirk which means endorsing Santorum. Where am I wrong?

[wisteria]

31. Interesting assessment, but I think it is clear that you can vote for

or support a qualified candidate without supporting the party that nominated him. In not supporting a candidate it could be said, and has, that you are just mad because your party isn't doing the nominating.

[nevergiveup]

24. I had seriously planned

on sending Casey money but not now. If I lived in Pa. I would still probably vote for him over _hithead but with little enthusiasm.

[wisteria]

27. I can understand your position. n/t

[wiley]

25. Yes, Casey has challengers doesn't he.

I haven't heard anything about them here.

[FreedomAngel82]

28. Ugh!

Sorry I hope he doesn't make it. We don't need democrats like him.

[wisteria]

32. You prefer Santorum get back in?

At least Casey represents most of our other Democratic values- whereas Santorum represents none.

[neverevergivein]

34. Last true Democrat in our governement...

please turn out the lights on your way out.