American's for Job Security: Rick helping to save Social Security

While watching the Price is Right today I saw a new Americans for Job Security ad which in this one the viewer is told to thank Rick for ensuring that Social Security is there for our elderly.

I am working on finding the transcript but I have to say that these are effective ads. They are positive and make people really think about Rick Santorum. I was sitting with a friend of mine who is supporting Silent Bob when they came on and he said that he thought they were pretty effective.
It'll be interesting to see if they make any movement in the next batch of polls.

While home in Oil City over Thanksgiving they were playing heavily on the Pittsburgh channels and I have seen quite a few runs on the Erie Channels as well.

These will be something to watch.

Santorum "Udderly" Supports PA Dairy Farmers

With all of the dairy farms in PA, Santorum is taking a stand for farmers competing with the Big Milk operations in western states.

Courtesy of the AP:

"Compared with hot-button issues, the internal GOP battle over the Milk Income Loss Contract program seems pretty obscure. The program expired Sept. 30. Extending it for two more years would cost taxpayers $1 billion.

Green and Santorum are among the few Republicans facing challenging statewide campaigns in states won by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. Both are pulling out all the stops as they try to revive the milk program."

Obviously, milking the taxpayer for a cool billion isn't a conservative philosophy, but Santorum apparently feels the need to make hay over the issue. Let's hope it isn't a bunch of bull.

Americans For Job Security Boosting Santorum Ad Buy To "Nearly $1 Million"?

The Philadelphia Daily News has yet another story on Americans for Job Security's recent Santorum ad buy.

While previous stories had indicated that the 11/15-11/30 Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Johnstown-Altoona markets ad buy would be around $450,000, the Daily News now states that the buy is "Nearly $1 million."

Specter on Santorum

John Baer's column.

He says reports that Santorum's in trouble (a Rasmussen Reports poll this month says he trails Democrat Bob Casey Jr. by 20 points, 54-34) are "vastly overblown." Says Santorum's only "in midstream," does lots for the state, is a hard worker and, "I still think Rick is going to win."

Specter reiterated that Santorum's re-election is his "top priority." Santorum was key in getting Specter past a challenge from the right by then-U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey in last year's GOP Senate primary.

Specter says he'll speak for Santorum early and often, continue to raise money for him and even put Santorum's name first on joint press releases announcing goodies for the state. (One has to understand Arlen's love of publicity to fully appreciate this gesture.)

After the broadcast, asked about anti-incumbent sentiment, Santorum's abysmal (for an incumbent) polling numbers, and pressed as to whether Santorum's in trouble, Specter just says, "No."

Actually he says, "No, no, no."

Senator Specter certainly owes Santorum a favor.

Why is Bob Casey on the Side of the Payjackers?

Now that the pay raise is ostensibly dead, elected officials in Pennsylvania are trying to get Gene Stilp's suit against it in Commonwealth Court dismissed. Who are these paragons of public service?
(h/t: Grassrootspa)

Also seeking dismissal of the Commonwealth Court case were Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer, R-Blair; House Speaker John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia; and Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., a Democrat.

Here's a simple question--why would anyone even pretending to be in touch with the voters of Pennsylvania defend the pay raise in any fashion? I can only explain Casey's actions in one of three ways: he doesn't think we're paying attention, he owes more to the Harrisburg power brokers than he does to us, or he honestly doesn't know any better. None of those scenarios give me a warm fuzzy about sending him to the Senate.

Rick on Social Security, Why We Need Him

I just wanted to write real quickly about why we really need Rick Santorum in the Senate to fight for whats right on Social Security reform.

I worked extensively on the issue this summer for Americans for Prosperity and Students for Saving Social Security. One of the few constant advocates we had was Rick Santorum, even though he may have had the most to lose. Rick has been a constant supporter of the types of market based reforms that are key to the success of the younger generations.

Some were critical of his recent legislation to make benefits guaranteed, but this is first of all a conservative position and second of all a great move that will help ease the way to true reform. On the first point, the case is easy. If you are going to pay the government for something and then have it disappear later shouldn't you have some recourse. We can argue til we're blue in the face about whether they should take the money to begin with or not, but the fact is they are taking the money now, so it should absoultely be guaranteed. Next, if the benefits are guaranteed then the single biggest attack on Personal Accounts will fall away and then we can make real reforms.

On Social Security the answer is clear, we need Rick Santorum.

McCain to Campaign for Rick...

... in Media and Villanova this friday.

Arizona Sen. John McCain will attend fund-raisers this week in Pennsylvania for fellow Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, a Santorum spokeswoman said Sunday.

"Sen. McCain asked how he could help Sen. Santorum in his re-election effort, and Sen. Santorum is pleased that Sen. McCain is willing to support him in this capacity," said Virginia Davis, a campaign spokeswoman.

Senator McCain doesn't sit will with Senator Santorum's conservative base for a variety of reasons, but Senator McCain does appeal to moderate Republicans (as well as conservative Democrats).

... of which there are plenty Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Rick Santorum: A Lesser Good for Conservatives.

The question of whether or not to support Rick Santorum's bid for reelection has been particularly vexing for some conservatives. A small minority site Rick's infidelity to the conservative cause on various issues, from his support for Arlen Spector against Pat Toomey, to his support of legislation which would have hiked the minimum wage as unforgiveable sins. Others claim that Santorum has done no wrong; all his actions have been perfectly calculated to achieve the greatest conservative good. Somewhere in the middle, there seems to be a fair number of conservatives on the fence about Santorum, or people who hold more moderate versions of these two extreme views.

Let me suggest an alternative view of this race, one which I think might provide a useful perspective. I believe that Senator Santorum is, on balance, a lesser good. Lesser because he is not the 100 percent conservative senator of whom we all dream. There are some areas in which he is far from ideal. Take protectionism. Senator Santorum has not been the senate's greatest champion of free trade, and politics has at times gotten the better of his economic sense. And of course, there was the unpleasantness surrounding Pat Toomey's senate campaign, probably motivated more by personal loyalty and political considerations than any thoughts of Goldwaterite conservative principal (though we should remember that even Goldwater himself backed the reelection campaign of liberal New York Republican Jacob Javitz, a sin for which even Bill Buckley forgave him). Despite all this, Santorum is more than the lesser of two evils which some conservatives might believe him to be. Were this the case, I could not urge fellow conservatives to support him. Indeed, you would not have seen me blogging for Spector. But Rick is not, and never will be Arlen Spector. He is a net lesser good because, despite his imperfections as a candidate, he is a positive force for conservatism, who moves the senate in our direction. We can see this in his tireless advocacy not just against abortion (Bob Casey is not pro-choice), but for the pro-life movement as a whole. Or in Rick's staunch support of conservative principal on foreign policy, arguably the most vitally important issue on the current political scene. We can see it in the way in which senator Santorum joins senator Brownback of Kansas and a few others in pleading the cause of persecuted Christians, a worldwide human rights abuse against which the left can muster very little of the intellectual outrage with which it blasts American use of rap music to soften up suspected terrorists. And we can see it in the way in which senator Santorum has sought to bring conservative principals to bear on issues like human rights generally and social justice, a process which will help transform conservatism from an intellectual orientation into a governing, electable platform. Have we forgotten Senator Santorum's defense of the pro-life and pro-family cause on, of all places, the Daily Show, a fact for which even my most liberal friends had to give him a little credit. Or the fact that he dared to question the Supreme Court's Lawrence V. Texas ruling, not necessarily out of support for sodomy laws, but rather because Lawrence set the bad precedent of making sex a constitutional right? Rick Santorum has not been perfect, but then, what politician ever was? Goldwater was pro-choice, and may have supported homosexual marriage near the end of his life. Reagan certainly allowed for abortion in California, failed to cut taxes or abolish the DEA and appointed both OConnor and Kennedy to the Supreme Court. Bush, well, let's not talk about government spending shall we? And while I'm not familiar with every vote he made, I'm sure that even Pat Toomey had his moments of dissent from conservative orthodoxy. Yet all of these men pushed conservatism forward; Goldwater made it a national presidential-race-level movement, Reagan made it the nation's governing philosophy and defeated international communism in the bargain, Bush has made great strides in fighting the war on terror and pushed the ball forward on a multiplicity of issues from the culture of life to free trade, and I doubt that I need to push Toomey's conservative credentials here. Does Rick Santorum rank with a Goldwater or Reagan? Some days I think he does, others I'm not so sure. However, I am certain that having him in the senate is a net positive for the conservative movement. Can the same really be said of his opponent?

Get A Sneak Peak Of The New Santorum Social Security Ad, "Iron Clad"

Check out team Santorum's brand new Social Security ad, "Iron Clad"

Things Silent Bob is Thankful for

1. Jay Reiff- Why say something when you can just let the puppeteer speak.
2. Chuck Schumer- Who knew that you could just promise to be liberal and Chuck would clear the way for you.
3. The Media- Silent Bob doesn't need to speak out against Rick if the Liberal media continues their onslaught
4. Ed Rendell- If Silent Bob wouldn't have been whipped by him in 2002 he wouldn't have the opportunity he has today. He also must be glad that Rendell used his considerable weight[take that as you wish] to clear the way for Silent Bob.
5. The people of PA- Having given him a major boost in confidence by electing him to office thanks to his last name Silent Bob foolishy thinks that this will get him through to the next swearing in. He underestimates Rick's skills and appeal

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Have something Silent Bob should be thankful for? let me know: benw98@yahoo.com I'll publish the best here!

Santorum: A reason to be thankful - religious freedom

Rick Santorum has a solid Thanksgiving column today on Townhall.com:

Today, many of us look forward to football games, turkey dinners and meeting distant friends and family. In our land of plenty, it is easy to focus on our current blessings and take for granted some of the foundational values of this great country, the very values that bind us together as individuals. One such value is religious freedom—a cornerstone of democracy and the first of all freedoms.

Michael Smerconish: Judge Alito's Planned Parenthood v. Casey Ruling Deflates The Left

Check out Philadelphia radio host Michael Smerconish's new column, Planned Parenthood vs. (Bobby) Casey. For Smerconish, the left's outrage over Judge Alito and his Planned Parenthood vs. Casey ruling ultimately means the social issues which mobilize them the most will be deflated in the 2006 Senate race.

"The contempt that this small but politically powerful minority has for Sen. Santorum is about to be diluted by the realization that on the issue they care about most, he is joined at the hip to Bobby Casey."

My Thoughts on the Latest Poll

1. Polls at this stage don't mean a whole heck of a lot - atleast not to the average person out there. Most people only think about politics 7 minutes a week. How much time do you think non-political people are spending thinking about this Senate race? These polls are more important for the political junkies like you and me.

2. I thought an interesting part about the poll was that Santorum did so well with young people. Everyone talks about how young people are more liberal, but if that's the case, then why doesn't Casey have a lead here? My own thoughts about this is that young people like people who are willing to take a risk or are outspoken - Santorum falls into this category at times. Also, I believe that our generation is more conservative than our parents. Not that that takes much. Even the younger Democrats are more moderate than their parents. I'd say it is more a trend towards individualism - which of course then makes people less reliant on government and less likely to support those candidates who push for bigger government.

3. The other surprising fact from the poll is Philadelphia's numbers - According to the poll, Santorum does better in Philly than Allegheny, the region he is from. If Santorum takes somewhere between 1/3 and 40% of the vote in Philly, he'll win for sure. He doesn't have much ground to make up there in order for that to happen.

4. Overall, I'd say this early out, this poll isn't horrible. Casey does well because he hasn't said a thing - he's been running the Seinfeld campaign - a campaign about nothing. As soon as Casey does start talking about policies, his numbers will drop, and Santorum's will rise. It's an easy prediction to make, but accurate as well. Alot of people know that Santorum is conservative and where he stands on many issues, but Casey is an open book. Right now he has two things going for him:

a. He is benefiting from the Colin Powell syndrome - No one knows where Colin stands on the issues, so he always polls well. If he were to start talking, his numbers would tank.

b. Casey has his father's name. Not a new accusation, but still true. There are people out there who think they are voting for Bob Casey, Sr. That's one reason why Casey's numbers go up with older populations. This is especially true in PA where many people consider family history and where someone is from a major part of their decision making process in whom they will vote for.

Jay and Silent Bob: The score

[This nickname for the not so dynamic duo has a nice ring to it]
Here's the score at Google News:
Jay Reiff said: 35 hits on Google.[some of these are from prior campaigns]
Bob Casey PA said: 26 hits on Google.[many of these are in stories that he didn't give the quote on]

Who's really running for Senate? When will Silent Bob speak? Will Jay debate Santorum? Will Silent Bob shave his uni-brow to appeal to soccer moms?

You need to stick with The Santorum Blog to find out these and other questions!!!

Reality Check, Please

Either I'm completely missing something or Casey and his people are on drugs. The main criticism of the Americans for Job Security ads is that the group won't disclose its donors? I mean, I realize the the Dems have never been backed by any kind of "shadowy organization" or have ever declined to give us "full disclosure". There certainly aren't any kind of shady goings-on with 527's or George Soros' billions or anything like that, is there.? Not this time.

Let me ask one thing--have Jay and Silent Bob refuted anything at all in these ads? Did Rick Santorum really not support tax relief? I'd ask what Bob's position on the Bush tax cuts are, but we all know that would be largely rhetorical.

The only thing that Jay and Silent Bob are upset about is that someone (finally) has torn down the meme that Everybody But You Hates Rick Santorum. That's because this is their sole campaign strategy. I don't believe that Bob Casey can or will lay out a coherent plan for what he will do differently or how his presence in the Senate will be better for Pennsylvania. And I'm not holding my breath.

Interesting research

For those of you who like to do opposition research, I have a site you should definately avoid. I say this with the utmost seriousness.

I had a few minutes to spare so I did a quick search on the internet for some information about Bob Casey's stand on some issues. Since this site is santorumblog.com, I thought "why not see if the opposition has a similar site." I typed in caseyblog. com. What came up shocked me, to say the least - it's a porn site. I'm not sure what that says about our opposition, if anything, except maybe that they were a little slow in purchasing casey-related web-sites.

That's your fair warning - be careful what you research. There are those that say that politics is a dirty occupation, but come on, this is taking it to a new level.

The Erie Times Endorses Santorum's Debate Challenge

On Monday, the Erie Times endorsed Senator Rick Santorum's recent debate challenge to challenger Bob Casey. "Debates would benefit voters," headlined the Erie Times editorial, going on to say that "all debates, even 10, would benefit voters". Click here for more from the Santorum camp on this topic.

New AP Story On The Americans For Job Security Ads

The Associated Press has a new piece on Americans For Job Security's new $450,000 Santorum ad buy, which will be airing in every Pennsylvania market except for Philadelphia.

Progressive Perceptions of Bob Casey

Young Philly Politics, which is a progressive (liberal) group blog based out of Philly has a post about Bob Casey entitled An Elephant in Sheep's Clothing.

Jr. is currently running a stealth campaign. Not really running a campaign right now. He's fundraising. Yes, that is a big part of being a candidate, but what he's leaving out is the human interaction/contact part of a campaign that actually wins over voters. Chuck is out there every day meeting people. At house parties in Montgomery County, speaking to groups in Erie, standing in solidarity with students at City Hall where I live in Philadelphia. He's all over the place.

Chuck doesn't have to put on "a face" to go out to talk to people, he is who he is. Jr. on the other hand has to put on his donkey suit before he leaves the house as illustrated in the cartoon above.

I'll agree with the stealth campaign, but Republican? Noooo way.

In the face of not saying anything, and the trickle of things that do come out, I guess we have to judge Mr Casey by the Democrat company he keeps.

Jay fires back....But where is Silent Bob?

Jay Rieff fired back against an ad that makes no attack on his candidate[that would be Bobby for those confused since we don't hear from him] but has the brazen audacity to compliment the most evil man alive, Senator Rick Santorum. How dare The Americans for Job Security!!!! [note sarcasm]

He slams them for being shadowy figures in the Santorum Campaign and in an E-mail urged Casey supporers not to let Silent Bob to be Swift Boated like John Kerry was. The subject line screams "Don't Let Them 'Swift Boat' Bob Casey." With these sort of headlines you'd expect the ad to go after Silent Bob for, well I don't know what for since he hasn't stated his positions yet, but for something. Yet here is the text of the ad according to the Hotline Blog. :

ANNCR: "Most Saturdays, they get together in the park, 8 a.m. sharp.
Pennsylvania families relax a little more these days because Rick Santorum
is
getting things done everyday. Over $300 billion in tax relief,
eliminating the
marriage penalty, increasing the per-child tax credit -- all
done. And now, Rick
Santorum's fighting to eliminate unfair taxes on family
businesses. Call and say
thanks, because Rick Santorum is the one getting it
done"

So do we finally have a position from the Casey Crew? Private groups shouldn't have any right to speak in an election cycle. Thus dispensing with that pesky first amendment. So since Casey is soooo consistent and principled that means he'll return the money from Moveon.org and tell them not to run ads against Rick or for him and will ask the people who are running the Anti-Rick websites like dumpsantorum or santorumexposed to remove them.

I am sure that Jay[Rieff] and Silent Bob[Casey] will get right on this right after they make up their 66-0 deficit in taking positions on issues that matter to the People of PA instead of playing to Washington Insiders and accept Santorum's debate challenge. Perhaps we shouldn't hold our breath.

Candidate Reiff issues challenge to Santorum Campaign

Today Bob Casey’s sole mouthpiece (including the candidate himself), Jay Reiff campaign manager, issued a statement accusing the Americans for Job Security (AJS) as being a front for “shadowy backers” (The Casey people must be fans of Knight Rider) and requesting that Santorum ask for disclosure of AJS’s funding sources.

Before we even get started on this subject why isn’t Bob Casey out on the stump asking these questions? Unless Jay Reiff is running for office I prefer to hear from the candidate.

Now back to the topic at hand. I would encourage Santorum to follow through on this request only if Casey publicly acknowledges the major sources of his funding i.e. the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the uber-liberal Washington establishment. Casey’s list would probably include the likes of Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and Chuck Schumer. I am fairly certain the “shadowy backers” of ASJ have nothing on Silent Bob’s donor list (Remember Moveon.org is toward the top of his list).

Americans for Job Security Back Rick

The Hotline Blog has the details about a new ad buy in PA in which Americans for Job Security back Rick Santorum.

The ad reads:

ANNCR: "Most Saturdays, they get together in the park, 8 a.m. sharp. Pennsylvania families relax a little more these days because Rick Santorum is getting things done everyday. Over $300 billion in tax relief, eliminating the marriage penalty, increasing the per-child tax credit -- all done. And now, Rick Santorum's fighting to eliminate unfair taxes on family businesses. Call and say thanks, because Rick Santorum is the one getting it done" (TNSMI/CMAG).

Never at a loss for words, Jay Reiff responded:

Responds Treas. Bob Casey. Jr. (D) manager Jay Reiff: "Rick Santorum should be honest with the people of Pennsylvania and bring his backers out of the shadows. I call on Santorum to join me in calling on all groups running ads in the Senate race to disclose their donors. ... Santorum's special interest friends are skirting campaign finance law by running ads while keeping silent on who's paying for the ads. What are they hiding?"

Reiff's comments about donors reminds us of this, Meet Team Casey.

Why Conservatives Should Support Santorum

I'm surprising myself by even writing this, but I feel that there is a need to write about it right now - to nip it in the bud. There are a group of conservatives out there who are still hurting from the Toomey-Specter primary of 2004. You are hurting because Sen. Santorum came to Sen. Specter's defense and helped him win the primary. So as payback you plan on either not voting, voting for any challenger to Santorum, or (God-forbid) supporting Casey. Here is my advice:

Get over it!!!! That was last year and last year is over. Let's be realistic for just one moment. Were you honsetly surprised that Sen. Santorum came to Sen. Specter's defense? I mean, come on. Santorum is the #3 man in the Senate. It is his job to support incumbents. You may not like it, but that's the deal. Now look at the repercussions - Sen. Specter will come to Sen. Santorum's aid and help him with Philadelphia, where we all know Santorum will need some help.

I think the overall problem here is that people are taking their politics way too personal. I should know, I have done it too. We conservatives can not take politics too personally. Why? because we will lose in the long run. And what is the point of politics - to get your candidate elected so that he/she can implement the policies that you support. Santorum is our man when it comes to this, and you all know it. Is Casey going to push for a conservative policy? I'll answer that for you - NO! If he were to win, he's owe his loyalty to the looney left. Do you think these folks support reforming Social Security, cutting taxes, reducing the size of government etc. Hell NO!

This will be the last time I speak on this subject so listen closely. If you are stilling hurting from the primary 2004 - lick your wounds and get to work. We don't have the time and energy to continue to play out that primary. We cannot afford to sit around and bitch and moan about something that we all knew, deep down, Santorum would have to do.

Are we conservatives with ideas and forward-looking mindset? Or are we a group of people who pout because we didn't get our way? If you are part of the first group, then I welcome you into the fight of our life and look forward to standing with you as we work our tails off to get Sen. Santorum re-elected.

If on the other hand you are part of the second group, then please go find a bed, lay in it and mope around and complain - it's a great way to meet people. Remember misery loves company. You can sit around and try to out-bitch each other. Just remember to either vote for Santorum on election day, or drag down some Casey supporters so that they are too depressed to go and vote. Either way you will have done your part and you would still be able to pout.

Casey Says He Plans On Debating Santorum After The Tuesday, May 17, 2005 Primary

The Harrisburg Patriot-News has a new story on the Santorum/Casey race, which ventures into the topic of debates. While Santorum had called for 10 debates, don't expect any them to happen anytime soon. "Last week, Santorum challenged Casey to 10 debates before the general election," states the Patriot-News. "Political experts say that might be unprecedented for an incumbent. Casey plans to debate Santorum after the primary, according to aides."

The Time Is Now

We have a little less than one year. One paltry year. In one year, PA voters will decide who should represent the Commonwealth as a US Senator.

One candidate has fought for conservative values. One has criticized his opponent. One takes a stand. One has said nothing of substance.

One thing we do know: one candidate will stand with the President and the other will stand against him.

Rick Santorum has been a friend of conservatives in PA and the country. He has fought against abortion and fought for tax cuts for all Americans. He supports the war on terror, wherever that may lead us. He understands that there are enemies all over this world who want to kill us - just because we are Americans.

Bob Casey, Jr. will side with Harry Reid. He will side with those who have no other agenda but to cripple the President. He will not be a maverick and stand up for America and her rights. He will say he is "for the troops" then turn around and bash their very mission. Why? Because he's a democrat, and that is what modern democrats in Washington D.C. do.

There are many enemies of America, of democracy, of our culture of life. Some of those enemies are on foreign soil. Some of those are enemies within.

Where do you stand? With whom will you stand? The time is now.

The Grassroots Manifesto

It is a rare occasion when the written word can be so powerful as to transport you across space and time to a point where you can re-experience the past. Not remember it, but nearly relive it. Chris Lilik has done that with this post at grassrootspa. It is the Grassroots Manifesto and it is tremendous.

I had never done anything political in my life before I started working on the Toomey campaign, and nothing had ever absorbed me so completely. There was--and still is--something about Pat Toomey that sets off all the right signals. He's the kind of guy you would trust with your house key. He's the kind of guy you'd trust with your kids. He's the kind of guy you would trust to run this country. If anyone deserves an elected office, it is Pat Toomey. And all of that made his loss to Arlen Specter that much more difficult to bear. I would like to say that no one took it harder than I did, but that's not even close to the truth. Suffice it to say we all suffered for Pat Toomey's loss and we all damned Rick Santorum for it.

Maybe it's because I had only devoted three months of my life to Pat (as opposed to Chris Lilik's fifteen months) that I was one of the first people to forgive Rick for what he did, and I floated the trial balloon of supporting him in 2006 to the grassroots crowd. I knew the response I was going to get, and I was not disappointed. Beer-soaked recriminations notwithstanding, it remained pretty civil, but I was in the minority and was hoping and praying that a) people would come around to my point of view, and b) that I was right. Eighteen months later I'm writing for Santorumblog and noticing that I recognize many of Santorum's supporters from when I met them during the Toomey campaign.

The point is that there is a time to move on. The raw wound from April 27, 2004, is now a scar. It's tough and ugly and still hurts occasionally, but it is certainly healed. Moreover, it's a lesson learned. The wise among us would do well to be grateful for all the good that has followed from that dark day in April.

To conservatives who simply cannot bring themselves to support Rick Santorum, I understand and respect your decision. To those who believe Rick Santorum can do no wrong, I understand and respect that as well. To those on the fence, I offer this: as wronged as we all were, no one was more wronged than Toomey himself. But if Pat can move on from his defeat--even endorsing Rick Santorum--why can't we? It took me a while to get there myself, and I did have to eat a lot of crow in the process, but in the end I know I made the right decision. I invite you to travel that path yourself. Perhaps we'll meet at its end and can discuss the journey.

There is a scene in Star Wars where Obi-Wan tells Darth Vader that, "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." Putting aside the tantalizing Toomey/Specter-Obi-Wan/Darth Vader parallels, Pat Toomey's loss in 2004 is quite possibly the best thing that could have happened to the conservative movement in Pennsylvania. His loss has resulted in a greater resurgence in conservatism than his victory ever could have done. We can't forget that. Even when times are lean and even when we have to hold our nose and do something we'd really rather not do, we have to keep our main goals front and center--life, liberty, opportunity--no matter what the cost.

It's only a lost cause if you let it be a lost cause...

Western PA, The Key

If Rick Santorum is to hold this Senate seat there can be little doubt that ground zero will be Western Pennsylvania. He's going to lose Philly and the collar counties, he needs to stop the bleeding there, but more than anything he needs to appeal to the conservatives in Western PA who have lately become disillusioned the GOP.

The local conservative activists on the ground are right now directionless and looking for someone to cary the true conservative banner. Just look at how well Toomey did in Western PA, how poorly Nigro and Newman did. This is where Rick can begin to put Casey back on the defensive.

In 1994, Rick ran on a slogan of "Join The Fight" well if I may make a small suggestion, its time to bring that theme back to this race. We need to know this is a fight, a fight with Rick on our side versus Hillary, Teddy Kennedy, and the like for Bob Casey Jr. He needs to put serious ground between him and Casey quickly, because if he doesn't give Western PA a reason to vote for him then he won't be able to win over here like he needs to. We need Rick to win this seat, and we need him fighting for us in Washington.

Santorum Praised By Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters For Pension Legislation

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Sunday Pops has a new blurb on Santorum earning the praise of the 90,000-member strong Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters for working to protect pensions. Politics certainly makes strange bedfellows!

Casey's Pay-Raise Complicity

Dimitri Vassilarios has been on top of the Harrisburg pay-jacking since the beginning and gives us this interview with pay-jacking Republican Tom Stevenson of Allegheny County as well as this interview with actual-conservative Republican Mark Harris who will be challenging Rep. Stevenson in the May 2006 primary.

What has largely gone under the radar screen is Bobby Casey's complicity in the pay-jacking. As state Treasurer (yes, I know it's hard to keep track), Bobby Casey is the sole mechanism by which the unconstitutional pay-hike is executed. He cuts the checks, he signs the checks, and each time he does he violates the trust of every Pennsylvania taxpayer.

So where has Casey been throughout this whole pay-raise debacle? What does he think about it? I'd like to know where he stands on the matter and what responsibility he feels he owes to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania. If he won't execute his current responsibilities as Treasurer with a modicum of integrity, why on earth would we promote him to the United States Senate?

My email's on the sidebar, Mr. Treasurer, and I check it every day. I'll be looking forward to your response, but I hope you'll excuse me if I don't hold my breath.

Bob Casey Jr., the Seinfeld Campaign

Bob Casey's campaign for U.S. Senate in PA reminds me of Seinfeld so far. The running theme behind the show was that it was a show about nothing. So far when one looks at Bob Casey's campaign, what has it been about - nothing.

I'm especially curious to see if Mr. Casey will have any response to Rep. Murtha's comments demanding that we raise the white flag in Iraq, surrender and withdraw. Mr Murtha's comments lead me to believe that he thinks that we are the enemy in Iraq as opposed to the Isalmic Jihadists.

At any rate, what will Mr. Casey do. If he comes out in support of Mr. Murtha's comments, he will obviously be appealing to the looney left base of the Democratic Party, but alienate the moderates in the state. If he opposes Mr. Murtha's comments, he gets the supports of moderates, but alienates the looney left, who he needs to be active in the campaign. My guess would be that he says nothing, just like he has said nothing about any other issue so far.

Mr. Casey's numbers in the polls are high right now, but that is because he hasn't said anything. I would suspect that as soon as Mr. Casey starts to make policy statements, his numbers will drop, and this race will get tight real quick. Mr. Santorum's numbers are low, but he's in a great spot in this situation. He's not afraid to speak his mind, people generally know where he stands on many issues. In the long run, I think that will be to Santorum's benefit. Santorum can only go up from where he is. For some the choice will be between the man whose campaign is about nothing and the man who is not afraid to speak his mind. When this is the choice, my money is always on the candidate who speaks up - people have respect for a candidate who is not afraid to speak up, even if they disagree with that candidate.

Casey Nickname

Perhaps we can have a nickname for Bob Casey. Of course the popular character from the Jay and Silent Bob movies comes to mind but I wanted to go something a little more deep than pop culture. How's this: "The Miranda Candidate." For those in need of a primer on constitutional lingo ask Chris but basically the basis of it is the line "you have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law" comes from this decision its called the Miranda rights.
Bobby Casey is clinging on to his Miranda Rights. He isn't saying anything about anything. in fact the score is now 66-0 in favor of Rick Santorum. Casey hasn't taken one position on the issues that Senator Santorum must decide on everyday. And Casey still hasn't taken a stand on Sam Alito, the Supreme Court Nominee.

The only thing that Casey has taken a stand on is that he is running and that he is not Rick Santorum. What a positive message for PA and for the Nation

Is Silence Really an Option?

Bob Casey has yet to voice a substantive policy decision since he announced his candidacy. The question becomes what type of Senator will this make him? Silence is the stuff of weakness and impishness. When a tough issue comes to floor of the Senate will Mr. Casey be present to make a deciding vote? Or will he, as he has to date, hide behind his campaign manager/chief of staff? Rick Santorum just yesterday wrote a long treatise on the direction of conservatism in America. Can we expect similar openness from Bob? It doesn't seem we can expect much so far. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat we should hope that our candidates will be idealists and at the same time dealmakers. Bob Casey has yet to exhibit either of these qualities. Is it because he doesn't know who he wants to be as a candidate?

Hill News seems to think he is having a hard time balancing his left-leaning ,right-appeasing ways.

Santorum/Casey Alito Update: Santorum Voices Words Of Support. Casey Still Thinking It Over

The Associated Press has a new story on Rick Santorum, Bob Casey, and potential Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

Santorum is starting to really bat for Alito's confirmation, but so far, looks like Casey isn't committing.

Santorum: A Man with a Moral Compass

Senator Santorum speaking on drawing a line between his faith & his decisions as a public official:

from Christianity Today, Week of March 28:

"I draw no line, much less a bright one. I think your faith molds and influences tremendously your worldview just like, by the way, a whole lot of other things that are in your life. But to me, faith is source of morality; it's a source of virtue; it's a source of reason. It's a tremendous influence on my worldview. And while obviously there are other things that influence my decision-making and how I look at the world, it's certainly an important part of it.

The idea that we cast aside our faith and don't replace it with something else to influence your worldview is ridiculous. If you don't have faith, you replace it, I assume, with some secular concepts, or with some other belief system, which goes unidentified. I think that really is I won't say dishonest, but I think it certainly lacks intellectual honesty to say that by removing your faith as a component of how you conduct yourself that you somehow can do so neutrally. You don't. You just do so with another worldview or another set of values that come from another source."

Well said. This portion of his interview brings to light one of the biggest reasons I support Santorum. He has a real moral compass. He doesn't play the religious card, he lives it with conviction. Santorum is so rock solid in this regard that when an issue comes up, I can guess how he's going to vote most of the time.

I don't see the same compass in Bob Casey, Jr. He appears to be a man who listens to what the polls say & plays the conservative card while getting cozy with Democratic leaders in Washington.

I will stand up for Rick Santorum because he has stood up for what I believe in.

The Real Rick

Here's my own story of my dealings with Sen. Santorum:

When I worked as a lowly US House of Represenatives staffer in DC from 1998 - 1999 and for a lobbyist from 1999-2000, I went to daily Mass at St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill. This church is known for several big-wigs attending daily Mass because of it's proximity to the Senate Office Buildings. On any given day one could find the likes of Sen. Voinovich, R-OH, then-Sen. Connie Mack, R-FL, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Also in attendence as often as the other gentlemen, if not more often, was (and I'm sure still is) Sen. Santorum. During the time that I was in living in DC and attending daily Mass, Sen. Santorum often sat directly behind where I regularly sat.

If I recall correctly, I only spoke to him once during the sharing of the peace to tell him "keep up the fight." This was in reference to a bill that he was defending on banning partial birth abortion. Most other days I just shared a sign of peace with the good Senator by shaking his hand.

As I look back at those times I am awed, not by the fact that I shook hands with a Senator every day, but by the fact that people of all levels of importance worshipped as equals with not just average citizens, but the downtrodden as well.

I have seen the real Rick Santorum. This is a man who takes life seriously, who fights for what he believes in, and who looks for guidance and wisdom, like the rest of us, from on high. This is the real Rick Santorum and that is why I am supporting him.

So to Sen. Santorum, again I say to you "keep up the fight."

Casey Fundraising

Bloomberg on the Democrat fundraising efforts.

``Katrina, that's really what made the difference,'' Peter Buttenwieser said of a Philadelphia event he held that raised more than $500,000 for Democrat Bob Casey. Casey, the Pennsylvania treasurer, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Rick Santorum.

Buttenwieser, 69, said the highlight of the Sept. 12 event at the Wyndham Hotel was an appearance by Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, who had just returned from visiting displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Houston Astrodome.

``Five-hundred thousand,'' said Buttenwieser, whose great- grandfather Mayer Lehman was one of the original partners in Lehman Brothers. ``That's a lot of money for a U.S. Senate race.''

That is a lot of money. A lot of money to make from the exploitation of a tragedy and collossal local Democrat screw ups. I don't think bragging about it makes it better.

Perhaps we're seeing a trend here from the Casey camp. It's not the first time that Treasurer Casey has used Hurricane Katrina for political contributions. He's had his hand out before.

At least this fundraiser was in Philadelphia.

Santorum: The conservative future

Rick Santorum has a column on Townhall.com today in which he lays out his vision for the future of conservatism:

We live in a time of unprecedented conservative power in the United States. For the last decade, Republicans have controlled both houses of Congress. For 17 of the past 25 years we have controlled the White House. And for the last four-and-a-half years we have controlled both the legislative and executive branches of government.

It has been a period marked by achievements, at home and abroad. Welfare has been reformed and millions of families have found the freedom of work and home ownership. Taxes have been reduced, and despite the recession, 9/11, intense global competition and nature’s fury, the economy is growing. And democracy is spreading throughout the world as free peoples are turning once-outlaw regimes into new allies.

Yet after a decade of Republican control in Washington, we have not reduced the size of government, there is no balanced budget amendment, and pork-barrel and self-interest politics have grown. Special interest groups haven’t been defeated or tamed, they are thriving.

Read the whole thing.

New Strategic Vision Poll Shows Casey 51%, Santorum 36%

A new November 16th Strategic Vision poll of Pennsylvania voters shows Casey 51%, Santorum 36%.

What Russell Nigro and Nora Truscello have taught me

You know Russell Nigro. He's the judge who had his head lopped off by the electorate and then had the nerve to complain about it. You probably don't know Nora Truscello. She's a Philadelphian and a member of the Politically Active Physicians Association. I met her at the Pennsylvania Leadership conference and she mentioned to me that, "Republicans write off the City of Philadelphia, presume they'll lose it 3-to-1, and get exactly what they deserve." How true. And after this fiasco in 2004, it is easy to presume that as Philly goes, so goes the rest of the state.

No