Analysis - MTP Debate: Santorum vs. Casey

[nickshepDEM]

Log of MTP Debate - Santorum vs. Casey

The first question of the gates dealt with Iraq.

*Casey stumbled and really dodged the question of whether or not he would vote for the war based on what we know today.

*Santorum still believes it was a war of necessity not a war of choice. Santorum also went on to say, "Rumsfeld is doing a fine job".

*"I belive he (President Bush) has been a terrific President" - Rick Santorum

*Casey called for Rumsfeld's resignation.

*Both disagree with Kerry's amendment that would withdrawal all troops by 2007.

*Regarding WMD in Iraq, Santorum said, "We found WMD in Iraq". Russert bounced back with a couple quotes from Bush, which concedes no WMD in Iraq.

*Casey highlighted the Senate (and Santorum's) failure to provide adequate body Armour for troops.

*Here is one of Casey's highlights from the debates: Regarding Osama Bin Laden "Is Bin Laden a dead terrorist or dead Islamic fascist, that’s right he's still alive". You wouldn’t understand this one unless you were watching, but it was a pretty nice rebuttal on Casey's part.

*Russert and Casey at times seemed to tag team Santorum on voting with Bush 98% of the time. Casey used the rubber stamp line several times.

The Budget

*Casey says get back to fiscal discipline, repeal tax cuts for people making over $200,000 a year, close offshore tax loop holes, create corporate welfare commission.

*Santorum nails Casey for not proposing a single cut. Also says Casey and his party want to raise taxes.

Social Security

*Russert nailed Santorum on a quote from the 1990's. It went something like this - "Retirement at age 65 is ridiculous, it should be pushed back to 70, possibly even further. Also said raising taxes were an option to fixing the problem".

*Santorum clearly articulated his 3-step plan for Social Security, also highlighted his 'SS Guarantee Act'.

*Casey really failed to capitalize on SS. He somewhat redeemed himself later by calling Rick's bill 'Snake Oil' and a desperate scheme to privatize SS. He really missed a big opportunity here.

On Abortion

*Both are pro-life

*Casey supports morning after pill, says medical research claims it is not abortion.

*Santorum disagrees and says he does not support morning after pill

*Santorum says Casey's father would be disappointed in his sons support.

*Russert points out that Santorum supports abortion in the case of rape or incest, which is a hypocritical stance if he believe life begins at conception.

Ed Rendell

*Russert pulled up a quote from July 2006 that stated 'Santorum delivers for Pennsylvania'.

*Casey basically responded by saying Rendell supports my campaign and we are thankful for his support.

On Santorum's residency

*Russert nailed Santorum with a previous campaign spot in which Santorum attacked his opponent for not spending enough time in the district. Russert claims Santorum has done the same thing. Casey agrees.

Pay Raise

*Santorum slammed Casey for not stopping state pay increase.

*Casey responds with - "You pledged to never take a pay raise and since then you have voted for 3"

The thing that really caught my eye was Casey's composure. Every time he responded to a question or remark, he was always very calm and composed. I believe that came off well. Rick seemed a little 'hyper' and a bit aggressive. I guess that’s just his style, but it didn’t come off too well.


Some people were claiming this debate would be a total massacre... Sorry, but it just didn’t happened.

[AX10]

1. Casey should have taken the position that he would not have voted...

for the war. The war is not popular in PA. It would have only helped him.

[kstewart33]

2. Good analysis.

I was also impressed with Casey's composure and demeanor, but he missed several opportunities to score points on Santorum.

[nickshepDEM]

3. Casey or the DSCC really need to have a TV-spot out by the end

of the week which features these two Santorum quotes from the debate...

"Rumsfeld is doing a fine job" - Rick Santorum

"I believe he has been a terrific President" - Rick Santorum

[ruggerson]

4. The average voter

listens and watches.

And makes their decision based on ineffable qualities in addition to specific issues.

Casey is far closer to the mainstream in PA than Santorum is and elucidated that coherently.

But, more importantly, he came across as a far more genuine and more engaging person.

Santorum came over as angry and overly aggressive.

Hands down, this battle goes to Casey.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. That's how I saw it as well

We can debate who scored what points or who said what about whom and when. But in the end, it is more about the intangibles. Casey came off as rational. Santorum appeared overly strident and somewhat depserate.

As to the 'pay raise' flap cited about, that's obviously a local hot button about which I know little. But Casey convinced me he was misquoted by Santorum and Santorum's apparantly desperate stridency conviced me that Casey's convincing me was the right conviction. :)

[creeksneakers2]

7. I thought Casey won that one too.

Santorum had far fetched excuse to tie Casey to the pay raise and even that was only a matter of when Casey opposed it. Santorum had his facts mixed up and Casey came right back with the accurate and simple to understand statement that Santorum voted to raise his own pay three times. It was one of Casey's best moments.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Santorum sounded desperate, yelling while Casey sounded calm.

I did not see it, but rather heard it on radio. Santorum sounds like he is running scared. Every time he spoke he was raising his voice without cause.

Santorum has got to be one of the biggest jerks I've ever heard. Pennsylvanians would do well to give him his walking papers in Nov.