Santorum in Johnstown, Talks Mine Safety

Many politicians are seeking "face time" when it comes to the recent coal mining tragedies in West Virgina and Mexico. Dispite the lofty platitudes usually dripping from a politician's mouth, one senator actually understands the industry better than most.

US Senator Rick Santorum's father was a coal miner.

Santorum visted Johnstown, PA yesterday and got into mine safety.


According to WJAC:

While in Johnstown Saturday, Santorum said mine safety is very important to him, and one major problem is underground communication.

"One of the things that struck me the most was the lack of communication after an accident," he said.

"Usually what happens... the lines of communication are broken because there is a cave-in and all the communication is hard wire, just like above ground... so to date... there's no wireless system that works underground," said the Senator.

Clearly, Santorum isn't pandering for votes and attention. He understands the life of a coal miner--and what the families face each day. In light of the recent mining accidents, Santorum is right to lend his clout behind finding better, safer ways to mine.

Mining is a tough, dangerous job. The workers understand that. The families understand that. Thankfully, a US Senator understands that, too.

Another Pennacchio Endorsement

Good news for Chuck is bad news for Bob.

I have been very disappointed in the conduct of Bob Casey's people. [the "I'm my dad's son policy? -ed.]I frequently have difficulty getting a single straight answer to questions on the issues. I asked Casey supporters what he thinks about self-righteous pharmacists who deny women morning-after pills and what he would do to protect women who run into such people. I have not gotten a single straight answer. I have not gotten one straight answer as to why we should support Bob Casey in the primary except for the fact that he is better than Rick Santorum. That is the kind of thinking that cost John Kerry the election. And Casey's people have not learned from that mistake.

It is not good enough to say that Casey is better than Santorum. I want to know where Casey stands on the issues and how he is better than Santorum on the issues. Looking around on Casey's website, I find some reasons - he would put more money in for Medicare, more money for veterans benefits, crack down on crooked nursing homes that exploit senior citizens, and other such things. But this is the sort of thing I would like to see Casey's people promoting, not just the mere fact that Casey is better than Santorum.

Losing the energetic liberals progressives for Bob Casey means he'll be weaker where Democrat turnout matters most come November. The cities.

I'm sure I'm tiring some readers with my droning over "Democrats are defined not by what they're for, but for what they're against"... it's a relief to hear someone else getting it. Being anti-Santorum will only get you so far in November. It's hard to point to the legions of pro-Bob people.

Bob Casey misleads like an insider

Occasionally I like to read the opposition's website. I found fodder for blogging this evening.

On Casey's campaign site it states:

2/21/06 - The AP
PITTSBURGH (AP) - State Treasurer Bob Casey urged his opponent in the race for U.S. Senate, incumbent Rick Santorum, to reject President Bush's proposed cuts to Medicare.
Bush wants to cut Medicare, the government's giant health care program for the elderly and disabled, by $35.9 billion over five years. If the proposed cuts are passed by Congress, Pennsylvania could lose more $1 billion in health care funding, Casey said Tuesday during a visit to a senior center in Pittsburgh.

Ok, makes a great sound bite, doesn't it? But when you actually read the story that is linked right from the press release - http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/13925327.htm - you get a different perspective:

State Treasurer Bob Casey urged his opponent in the race for U.S. Senate, incumbent Rick Santorum, to reject President Bush's proposal to slow the growth of Medicare, the government health program for the elderly and disabled.

Under Bush's spending plan, Medicare spending would grow at a rate of 7.7 percent - instead of 8.1 percent, as currently projected - for a savings of $35.9 billion over five years.

OK, so as I suspected, Santorum isn't pushing for a cut in funding. He's supporting the President's call for slowing in the growth of Medicare. And look at the growth - 7.7% over last year.

Casey is already talking like an insider from Washington, DC where a cut is not a cut, but rather a smaller increase than what was proposed. It's still an increase. Screwing around with the language like this is what makes most people mad at politicians. To put it mildly, it's misleading.

So, what do we get from the Casey camp - either no stands on issues, attacks on Santorum, or misleading statements designed to scare a group of people into voting for Casey. If this were school and you either didn't answer the questions, verbally attacked another student, or purposefully misled the teacher you'd probably end up failing. And that is exactly what the Casey campaign is doing. Sure, the poll numbers show him in the lead - for now. But as soon as the voters of PA start to take an active interest in this race, that all will change. People know when a candidate is passionate about the office he is running for and a candidate that doesn't stand for anything.

The Hill

Jeffrey Young at the Hill writes on the race...

Accusing Santorum of “questionable personal, political and charitable activities,” the Casey camp plans to highlight a different issue each day. Monday’s release focuses on the spending practices of Santorum’s leadership PAC, which has charged expenses to grocery stores, coffee shops and an upscale hardware store.

The Santorum campaign has defended the charges as necessary and appropriate expenses. Spokeswoman Virginia Davis also described Daily News reporter Will Bunch, who wrote the articles that appeared in the newspaper and the left-leaning Prospect, as a “liberal hack.”

But Santorum may be shielded from one potentially troublesome issue from the recent critical news coverage. The Daily News and the Prospect reported that he received a mortgage from an institution that usually caters to affluent clients and that has contributed money to his PAC and campaigns. However, Casey recently disclosed that board members of the bank who supplied his mortgage have donated to his campaign as well.

Read the whole thing...

More Support for Casey

From one of Phillyburbs.com's blogs...

There are only two and a half months left until the May primaries. (May 16th) So far Casey’s strategy has been to keep his head down and get through the next ten weeks without reminding too many people of his anti-choice, pro-war, corporate, me-too policies. If enough Democrats found out about those positions, to say nothing of his full-throated support of Alito, they may start wondering if the choice between him and Santorum isn’t a little bit too non-existant for comfort.

I guess Senator Barbara Boxer's support is not good enough for some on the left.

The Annointing

It might not be as easy road of a road to Washington for Mr Casey afterall.

Inaction speaks louder than words.

That Sunday’s Lancaster County Democratic convention did not endorse a candidate to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum suggests the party is not as unified as leaders want it to be.

Here's a quote...

“We’ve got to spread the gospel that he’s not a man of conviction,” Clay Township Supervisor Jon Price said.

I'm pretty sure he meant Senator Santorum. Mr Casey can breathe a little easier.

His views don’t sit well with many rank-and-file Democrats, though. One committee member, in an exchange with [Lancaster County Dem Chairman Bruce] Beardsley, expressed his reservations about Casey.

“Would you rather have someone who you disagree with about two things [abortion and gun control] but agree with about everything else, or one who you disagree with on everything?” Beardsley asked.

“Those two issues are very important to me,” the committeeman responded.

Beardsley and Price downplayed the abortion rights/anti-abortion conflict. “Our view is that abortion should be rare and safe; it’s not the issue the media makes it,” Beardsley said.

Price said 43 percent of Democrats are anti-abortion, and the party wouldn’t run a candidate unable to raise money or speak to the base. “We have to run someone who can win the election,” Price said, but added that “we have to support whoever the nominee is.”

Good news for Pennacchio?

Charlie Crystle, a progressive who ran for U.S. Senate two years ago, has endorsed Pennacchio and welcomes the lack of a county party endorsement. “It’s a victory for Lancaster County Democratic voters, who can choose for themselves the best candidate to represent them in the Senate, without interference from the county party,” Crystle said in an e-mail.

“Many voters are angry with the leadership at the state and national level for shutting down liberal candidates like Pennacchio (who is right on just about all the issues for most Democrats) by endorsing the conservative Casey,’’ he said.

Beardsley said that Casey’s relative silence in the face of criticism from those in his own party and Santorum is making it easy for others to define him.

No one's going to go out on a limb and say that Lancaster County is representative of Democrats or liberals progressives across the state, but you have to wonder.

Interview with Sandals

Not to be outdone, the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent has an interview with the other Democratic Senate Candidate, Alan Sandals.

On focusing...

Dean's presidential campaign was really based on opposition or reaction to the current administration, rather than being proactive and solution-oriented. And we now know, and even the Democratic pundits say, it's not enough to be critical of the Bush administration. We have to offer real and clear solutions for what's on Americans' minds. I'm the father of a 20 year-old and an 18 year-old, and when you see all the bad decisions that have been made in Washington with respect to so many issues, it's clear we're failing our kids so miserably. Whether it's the challenges of a global economy, the piling up of deficits, global warming, the shock to our economy by rising energy costs, the war in Iraq - these are all things that are going to have major consequences - both for you and I in our retirement years and for our children. The Democrats have been whistling in the dark, they're not taking stands, they're not offering ideas or demonstrating imagination or courage.

Hmm.. Twice in one day... Alan Sandals and earlier Chuck Pennacchio taking positions. Would Mr Casey make it a trifecta?

The odds are long.

Interview with Pennacchio

A pretty long and very well done interview of one of the other Democratic Senate candidates Dr Chuck Pennacchio is available at BlogCritics.org. Go read the whole thing, there's too much to quote from. It's all good.

After reading it, I've got to respect Dr Pennacchio. He knows what he stands for, and isn't afraid to say it. We disagree on many (most) things, but he stands for what he believes in.

It would be nice to read an interview with Treasurer Casey with that depth of answers. Unlike...

Sending a Message

Philly Inky on the situtation in Iran.

Another important message - this one long overdue - came recently from Washington. The Bush administration and a bill sponsored by Sen. Rick Santorum (R., Pa.) would increase aid to Iranian pro-democracy groups from $3 million annually to $85 million. The support would help political, human-rights and labor organizations, including the IHRDC, and promote TV broadcasts, Internet sites and student exchanges.

It would be nice if such a smart, strategic investment took care of the Iran problem. But first, the aid program has to work, and that means, among other things, ensuring the money goes to those with credibility among Iranians, not just Washington insiders. Second, a democracy movement could take years to produce positive results. What if the ruling clerics are in a hurry to make good on their pledge to destroy Israel?

So, no, pro-democracy support cannot be the only weapon. More is required: United Nations condemnation, sanctions that hurt the regime more than the people, possible military action. Prepare for the worst.

And in the meantime, help Iran's best, and ensure their voices of protest are heard.

Don't Forget the Primary

An editorial from the Sentinel.

If you sometimes think it’s closer to Labor Day than Easter, you just might be following Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race.

Incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum and state Treasurer Robert Casey are already sparring with each other as though they were in the home stretch to the general election. They’re exchanging press releases and slinging criticisms on a daily basis.

This week’s campaign activity received a bit of rocket fuel from an investigative piece critical of Santorum that ran in the Philadelphia Daily News and, in an extended form, was available on the website of The American Prospect. The story accused Santorum of accepting preferential treatment from bankers who were also his campaign contributors, and it also scrutinized the spending of his political action committee and a charity he founded.

Pretty strong medicine, considering there’s more than eight months until the general election for Santorum to respond, and perhaps generate some negative coverage for Casey along the way.

There is a primary election in three months, but Santorum is unopposed, while Casey’s main challengers, Chuck Pennacchio and Alan Sandals, receive less than 5 percent support in primary polls.

As a result, Santorum and Casey have already graduated to the main event.

Similar sentiments are expressed regarding the PA gubernatorial effort.

The Democrats essentially muscled Casey’s stronger challengers, Barbara Hafer and Joe Hoeffel, out of the senatorial primary. Meanwhile Republicans used the endorsement process to discourage Jeff Piccola and Bill Scranton from pressing on to the May ballot for governor.

We thought winnowing the field of candidates was why we held primaries in the first place. Shouldn’t Republican voters be the ones to decide among such attributes as party loyalty, governmental experience and name recognition in choosing their candidate for governor? And shouldn’t Democratic voters have had the same opportunity in the senatorial primary?

Using backroom deals to render the primaries meaningless has the unwelcome effect of making the general election campaign longer — which in turn is going to bore the electorate stupid long before November.

The Final Word on Mortgages

Heh.

"It doesn't sound like either of them [Casey or Santorum] got a particularly good deal," Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage information publisher HSH Associates, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

... one more thing.

Ambassador John Bolton was a recess appointment to the United Nations last year. This means that when a new Senate is seated in January 2007, the subject of his nomination and confirmation will come up again.

The reason he was a recess appointment was due to a ridiculous amount of caterwauling from the left side of the aisle, and their friends in the left media, as well as tears from a Republican Senator.

It begs the question, how would a newly sworn in Senator Casey vote on John Bolton?

Related news...

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Saturday that the world body is hobbled "by bad management, by sex and corruption" and a lack of confidence in its ability to carry out missions.

John Bolton also criticized the U.N.'s budget, noting that two-thirds of members pay only 20 percent of the cost.

"We find an organization that is deeply troubled by bad management, by sex and corruption and by a growing lack of confidence in its ability to carry out missions that are given to them."

Answering Questions on Iraq

Compare and contrast.

Do you believe the United States was justified in invading Iraq? Why or why not?

First, Senator Santorum.

Yes. I believe that toppling Saddam Hussein's regime was the right choice for our nation's security. The intelligence available to us at that time demonstrated that Saddam Hussein posed a grave danger to our nation and to the world.

Second, Treasurer Casey.

Knowing what we know now about (weapons of mass destruction) and the faulty rationale for going to war, there wouldn't have been a vote in the first place.

Is that an answer?

Mortgage

Lowman Henry...

The anti-Santorumites were in high dungeon for days, until Santorum's opponent, Robert P. Casey, Jr., voluntarily made public the details of his own home loan. It turns out he too borrowed from a bank whose principle actors were campaign contributors. Casey too, paid market rate for his loan.

When all the dust settles, it became obvious that neither Senator Santorum, nor Treasurer Casey did anything wrong, illegal, immoral, or otherwise improper. They are both honorable and decent men, and they conducted themselves as such.

Santorum's Mortgage: Is This the Best Liberals Can Do?

Human Events 2.24.06
Santorum's Mortgage: Is This the Best Liberals Can Do?
By: Robert B. Bluey

Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, locked in a tough re-election fight with Democrat Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., came under attack this week for his home mortgage.

Yes, you’re reading this correctly, the hot-button issue that Democrats hope will sink Santorum is the $500,000, five-year interest-only balloon loan he received in 2002.

Has it gotten that bad for Pennsylvania Democrats? Santorum is known for his late comebacks, and if this episode is any indication, he could be well on his way to another.

The story was only a day old when the reliably liberal Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee—something not terribly surprising given CREW’s propensity to target Republicans.

CREW’s complaint asserts that Santorum shouldn’t have been able to receive the mortgage because Philadelphia Trust Co., the bank that gave Santorum the loan, services only high-end clients (of which Santorum is not) and, therefore, the loan would fall under the Senate’s ban on gifts.

If this whole story isn’t suspicious enough, one needs to look no further than the story’s author, Will Bunch, who couldn’t get enough exposure publishing it in one outlet, so instead chose three—the left-wing rag American Prospect, unfit-for-wrapping-fish Philadelphia Daily News and his personal blog Attytood.com.

(I’m beginning to wonder if Bunch should disclose how much he’s making off this story. Talk about an ego-maniac—this reporter is so desperate to break news, he needs to write three articles for three publications about the same topic.)

But this brings us back to CREW’s involvement, which, according to its own press release, was inspired solely by Bunch’s story. So much for an independent investigation to at least verify the facts.

Anyone from the liberal press reading this might enjoy these key facts about CREW’s leadership:

CREW’s executive director, Melanie Sloan, previously worked for Democrat Rep. John Conyers (D.-Mich.) and Senators Chuck Schumer (D.-N.Y.) and Joe Biden (D.-Del.).

CREW’s board members include Mark Penn, President Bill Clinton’s former pollster; Daniel Berger, a wealthy Philadelphia trial lawyer and Clinton fundraiser; and Louis Mayberg, president of a mutual fund company.

Had enough?

Let’s get this straight: 1) a liberal political hack reporter writes a story bashing Santorum; 2) a liberal “ethics watchdog” in Washington files a complaint with the Senate; 3) the liberal press bites on the story when it smells Santorum’s blood.

Had it not been for Casey’s own revelation of his mortgage, which is similar to Santorum’s, this story might have had legs. But the Pennsylvania Democrat adored (surprisingly) by MoveOn.org managed to squash it with his own disclosure.

Mr. Bluey is editor of Human Events Online.

Tax Cuts are Good

Morning Call....

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey stood in the middle of a local restaurant Thursday touting how federal tax cuts have benefited small businesses, not just millionaires.

Santorum, running for his third six-year term to represent Pennsylvania in the Senate against the likely Democratic challenger Bob Casey Jr., said 99 percent of Pennsylvania's businesses are small businesses. He said small business owners are responsible for most job growth in the state, and increasing their taxes would hurt that growth.

Let's keep cutting taxes! But more importantly, let's start cutting spending!

Casey dosen't feel obligated to speak out on Senate Votes??

RickSantorum.com sends out weekly emails these days, updating those who sign up on the website with official up to date information.

With that I want to bring up one of the low riding developing stories that the mailer is staying with; the "Casey missed vote watch." I can't believe that a man running for an office wouldn`t feel obligated to put his two sense into the issues of the day!

In the last 106 days since state Treasurer Bob Casey essentially launched his campaign for Senate, Senator Rick Santorum has voted 100 times, Bob Casey... 2 times. Without sounding as partisan as possible, that does not sound like an in sync senate candidate to me.

We all know he was courted by New York Senator Chuck Shumer (D-NY), and he has not had any elected Washington experience, but the quote the Pennsylvanian electorate should remember in the next eight months is this: “I don’t feel obligated to comment on every Senate bill.” This Casey quote was in the Scranton Times-Tribune on November 20, '05.

How can we take this candidacy seriously? If the man feels he isin't obligated to talk about the issues of his potential job, why would he feel obligated later? I remember Dick Cheney questioning Senator John Edwards' attendance in the US Senate during '04's VP debate, frankly, I have the same question for Mr. Casey as a potential US Senator in respect to his participation. Pennsylvania's electorate should as well.

Much To Do About Nothing

UPI

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., has been accused of violating U.S. Senate rules in the way he obtained a home mortgage.

A liberal watchdog group filed an ethics complaint against Santorum, who is seeking re-election, based on his dealings with a Philadelphia financial firm, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said.

In a statement, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the group that filed the complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee, contended that the transaction violated the Senate ban on gifts "because Sen. Santorum did not meet Philadelphia Trust's client criteria and because the senator was not, in fact, a bank client at the time he received the mortgage."

Santorum and his campaign dismissed the criticisms as groundless, characterizing them as the product of bias by the magazine that first published the details of the home loan.

His campaign spokesman said that the interest-only loan was made in 2002 at a "market-driven rate," 5 percent annually over its five-year term.

Four years go by before a "liberal watchdog group " trys to use this to discredit the Senator. If a mortgage is the best they can do, they have their work cut out for them.

More on the Ports

Political Gateway

One of the US Senate's most conservative members, Pennsylvania Republican Rick Santorum wrote in an opinion piece Wednesday in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper that allowing the deal to go forward without further scrutiny runs contrary to the rigorous counter-terrorism efforts of the past four years.

"Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the primary focus of our government has been the protection of the American people and our homeland, as it should be.

"It is exceedingly irresponsible to allow a nation that has long been influenced by the Islamic fascist movement to oversee and direct the operations at these six ports.

"Outsourcing control of these ports to a Dubai-based company is a gamble," he wrote. "The President should be taking a long, hard look at the implications of this sale."

A Little Discontent

OpEdNews.com writes about the Casey annointing.

[H]ere in PA we have the DNC pouring millions into the campaign of the most right wing purportedly democratic candidate since Zell Miller-- Bob Casey jr. And none of these major "progressive" organizations, and not PDA-- Progressive Democrats of America-- are doing a damned thing, when there are two perfectly good candidates (Pennacchio and Sandals,) and my opinion, one superb progressive candidate, Pennacchio also declared and in the race. Shame on them.

This tells me how weak these progressive organizations are. It tells me that they are possibly not really progressive at all. Maybe they are even the wimpy democrats that the right wingers who write to me talk about all the time.

Read the whole thing.

Ethics Violation Charged

UPI

A liberal watchdog group filed an ethics complaint against Santorum, who is seeking re-election, based on his dealings with a Philadelphia financial firm, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said.

In a statement, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the group that filed the complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee, contended that the transaction violated the Senate ban on gifts "because Sen. Santorum did not meet Philadelphia Trust's client criteria and because the senator was not, in fact, a bank client at the time he received the mortgage."

Maybe it's just me, but I wasn't a customer of the bank that gave me my home's first mortgage either.

CREW's entire complaint is available here.

Ports Roundup

Redstate.org has a round up of port control links.

Senator Santorum along with a number of Senators have lined up against the President on this issue, including threatening a veto override.

Ports for Sale: More Disturbing News

It has come to my attention that there exists a direct link between the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

This information comes from a March 25, 2004 report from the India-based rediff.com which reported on the verbal testimony given before the 9/11 Commission by former DIRCIA George Tenet. This has not yet been given the full attention it deserves, and in light of this would be reason enough to immediately halt all negotiations for Dubai Ports World to gain control of eight critical US port facilities.

Director Tenet testified on March 24, 2004 that a mission targeting Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan was aborted because had the mission proceeded half of the royal family of the UAE would have been wiped out.

Here is the relevant excerpt of that report:
UAE royals, bin Laden's saviours
March 25, 2004 12:04 IST

The Central Intelligence Agency did not target Al Qaeda chief Osama bin laden once as he had the royal family of the United Arab Emirates with him in Afghanistan, the agency's director, George Tenet, told the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States on Thursday. Had the CIA targeted bin Laden, half the royal family would have been wiped out as well, he said.

Read Report here

Update by AlexC: NBC10 / AP is also reporting on this link.

NPR Examines Senate Race

Real Audio stream available here.

[...]Casey thinks Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred states from banning abortion -- was wrongly decided and said he would have voted for the confirmation of Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, a position "at odds" with most Senate Democrats, NPR reports.

The NPR segment includes comments from Casey; Kathleen Gerber, vice president of the Philadelphia Young Democrats; Terry Madonna, professor of public affairs and director of the Keystone Poll; and Santorum.

Hypocrisy

What's a campaign for elected office without charges of hypocrisy?

NRSC: www.caseyshypocrisy.com

SantorumCampaign: Press Release

CASEY ON HIS MORTGAGE:
CASEY ON SHOWING UP FOR WORK:
CASEY ON CORPORATE TRAVEL:
CASEY ON ABRAMOFF-CONNECTED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS:

Latest Polling

Rassmussen

Republican Senator Rick Santorum continues to trail Democratic challenger Bob Casey, Jr. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Santorum behind by 16 percentage points, 52% to 36%. That's essentially the same gap we found in last month's poll.

SurveyUSA
43% Approve - 46% Disapprove

Ports Op-Ed

Senator Santorum writes in today's Philadelphia Inquirer.

While Congress does not currently have any direct authority to prevent Dubai Ports World from acquiring control over these ports, we will not sit idly by and watch this transaction take place. Many of my colleagues share the deep concerns I have, and when the Senate returns from this week's recess, the Banking Committee, of which I am a member, will hold a hearing on this issue. I will continue to press the administration to reconsider CFIUS's decision.

If our ports are not protected, then, truthfully, neither are we. While the United Arab Emirates has been an ally over the last few years, it certainly has ties to Islamic fascism and trusting that it will remain on our side in the war on terror is not a risk that I am willing to take. Nor should it be a risk that this president takes. He should not allow this transaction to go through.

UAE Port Control

The issue of the sale of control to a company in the United Arab Emirates has gained momentum, with the President threatening the use of his first veto on it.

Senator Santorum has been on the issue for a while.

Here's his latest statement via email...

Each and every day, the security of Pennsylvania and our nation is at risk. Islamic extremists preyed on our country and our way of life in the barbaric terrorist attacks of 9/11, and we have spent the time since then fighting to ensure such attacks never happen again.

That's why I'm concerned any time it appears as if we're not taking the terrorist threat seriously enough. As I write you,the control of six major U.S. seaports-- including the Port of Philadelphia-- could be outsourced to the United Arab Emirates, a nation that was implicated in the events of 9/11.

How can we allow this to happen?

The answer is:We can't. That's why, after learning of this troubling situation last week, I took immediate action to call for an investigation and a stop to this transfer of control of our ports:

Last Thursday, I requested that the President intervene and use his authority under the current law to prevent this sale;

I have requested that the U.S. Senate investigate the matter to determine if and how the application of the law needs to reflect the realities of a post-9/11 world, and;

I began discussions with a bipartisan group of Congressmen to determine what we could do if the administration doesn't rescind the contract.

I can not sit by while the safety and security we have fought so hard for is sacrificed, and right here in our state at the Port of Philadelphia.

AFA of Pa: Casey Turns His Back

AFA Press Release...

Bob Casey, Jr., Pennsylvania candidate for U.S. Senate, carried out his plans to speak at the pro-homosexual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Black Tie Gala on February 18 in Philadelphia. His speaking engagement proves that he does not hold the values of the majority of Pennsylvanians and thus has turned his back on the values voter, stated the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group.

"Bob Casey, Jr. is running as a pro-family candidate, but his actions in the past few days have proven just the opposite. The AFA of PA and citizens from across the Commonwealth contacted him expressing concern and dismay that he planned on speaking at the HRC event. His actions have stated very clearly that he is not concerned with traditional values and thus has intentionally distanced himself from the majority of Pennsylvania voters," remarked Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

Targetting the Gun Vote

Patriot News...

As Rick Santorum made his way past mounted bucks, different types of jerky and hunting gear in the State Farm Show Complex, the Republican senator was frequently stopped by people who wanted his autograph or a picture with him.

Many who saw Santorum at the recent Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, such as Duke Dudley of Lynchburg, Va., cannot vote for him in this year's high-profile election campaign against state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. But that does little to dampen their excitement.

"He's one of the people," said Dudley, who bent over so Santorum could use his back to autograph an envelope.

Show Me the Money

Times Leader

Sugar growers are sweet on Bob Casey.

Sorority sisters swoon for Rick Santorum.

Preparing for the highest-profile U.S. Senate race of 2006, Santorum and Casey raised more than $16 million in 2005.

Much of the money came from the usual suspects.

Lawyers, labor and liberals for Democrat challenger Casey. Pharmaceuticals, finance and physicians for Republican incumbent Santorum.

But buried among the thousands of contributions each campaign has reported to the Federal Election Commission are a few head-scratchers that, if investigated fully, shed some light on the nexus of money and modern politics.

Casey Speaks to HRC

A brief overview of Casey's speech to the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign is available at the Morning Call.

I'd like to see a transcript... anyone have one handy?

Santorum readies the troops in Erie

Senator Santorum was in Erie County tonight for the Erie County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner. I was in attendance and was very excited by the Senator's speech.

You can see it in his eyes. They were weary from a day full of travel on the windy roads of Northwestern PA. His voice was strained from a battle with laryngitis. The Senator's passion and determination was enough to get him through the speech and it was that energy that roused the passions of the party faithful.

The Senator spoke elegantly of the 'gift' of service and his strong belief that when you are given a gift you are to use that gift. Santorum believes he is doing just that by being so outspoken on the major issues that are facing this country. He contrasts that by pointing to Casey's silence on the issues and saying that leadership is not "hiding behind a name."


Santorum rightly pointed out the number one issue facing our nation is the protection of this country. He pointed out that if there is no country domestic issues don't matter. He pointed out that today we face an even more dangerous fascism, in the form of 'Islamofascism.' He says this one is even more dangerous because of its connection with a faith with over 1 billion followers that it can access through a mere twisting of the beliefs of Islam.

He says that the president now has and is using the tools to fight the terrorists and protect the nation. These tools are now under fire from Bobby Casey Jr's friends in the Democratic party and its related interest groups, like moveon.org. With the Democratic leader boasting that he 'killed the patriot act', a bill that has helped prevent terrorist attacks, and their assault on the 'inherent authority' of the President to intercept, his phrasing for the terrorist surveillance program done through the NSA, the Democrats can't be trusted.

On the terrorist surveillance program, he blasted democrats for at the same time criticizing Bush for not connecting the dots before 9-11 and now trying to limit the presidents power to stop the terrorists in effect as he put it "Now they want to erase the dots!!"

The Senator spoke with conviction and showed why he is going to win this thing. He has the ideas, he has the passion, and he has the confidence to lead this state and to help lead this country. State Representative John Evans said in introducing Santorum, "The democrats have no confidence in Bobby Casey Jr. As a candidate that is why they are resorting to attacking Senator Santorum"

Santorum quoted Chuck Schumer as saying "it won't be a successful year if we don't beat Rick Santorum," tonight Rick Santorum showed why it won't be a successful year for the Democratic Party.

Rick Santorum is standing up for what he believe and after watching him tonight I am prouder than ever to stand with him!!!

Santorum to visit Butler County Next Saturday

I just got this over email:

United States Senator Rick Santorum will visit Butler County on Saturday, March 11, 2006 as a special guest of the Republican Women of Butler County. The event, dubbed “Soup With Santorum, “ will take place at the Tanglewood Senior Center just off Hansen Avenue in Lyndora. Members of the Republican women’s group will provide homemade soup and rolls, and it is anticipated that Senator Santorum will don an apron and serve some of the guests.

The public is invited to the lunchtime event scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m. following Santorum’s appearance in Pittsburgh at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Admission is $3 per person and can be paid at the door. While reservations are not required, the RWBC would appreciate a call to Pat Stirling at 724-368-3520, Sherry Maudie at 724-538-4715, or Kim Schuelke at 724-282-5272.

The address for Tanglewood is 10 Austin Ave, Lyndora, PA 16045.

The Republican Women's Club is a great organization that has done some imporessive work in the short time it's been in existence. Stop by and support them and Senator Santorum if you're in the neighborhood.

Philly Daily News Comic

Redstate.org: Casey Partners with Radical Left

click here

Trading Punches

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Casey & Santorum exchanging blows.

Pennacchio

It's not just Bob Casey after Senator Santorum's job. Chuck Pennacchio is also in the running.

Pennacchio is confident he can beat Santorum in November to become Pennsylvania’s first Democratic senator in 44 years.

He isn’t worried about state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., the more high-profile contender for the Democratic nomination, either, despite what he said were attempts by the Democratic Leadership Conference and the state Democratic party to shut down Pennacchio’s candidacy.

“Pennsylvania’s actually a progressive state. They just haven’t realized it yet,” he said.

The majority are pro-choice, and in favor of stem-cell research, campaign finance reform, a living wage, and separation of church and state, he said.

Pennacchio supports universal single-payer health care, stating that “It’s not just ‘left,’ it’s mainstream. It’s what people want.”

He is finding that Democrats are more upset with their own party than with the Republicans, because the Democratic Party is being taken over by corporate interests and won’t stand up for its own values.

Casey Positions

Treasurer Casey will have to start answering questions one day...

From a Fidelis press release...

Fidelis, a national Catholic-based advocacy group criticized U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) over his growing alliance with radical liberal interest groups.

Fidelis President Joseph Cella stated: "With each passing day, Bob Casey, Jr. continues to receive financial support and endorsements from liberal interest groups and individuals that are openly hostile to the Catholic Church's teachings on faith and morals."

Casey is serving as the keynote speaker at the annual Human Rights Campaign gala this Saturday evening in Philadelphia. The Human Rights Campaign is a radical homosexual activist organization who has collected and donated $100,000 to his campaign.

Fidelis noted endorsements and financial contributions from other liberal groups and individuals, namely: the People for the American Way, George Soros, Hillary Rodham Clinton's PAC and MoveOn.org.

"These groups and individuals are completely out of touch with middle America values. They support assisted suicide, abortion on demand, same sex marriage and are opposed to the public display of religious symbols during the holidays," Cella noted.

Fidelis sent a letter to Casey on Friday calling on him to return campaign contributions he has received from these groups and individuals, reject any future contributions, decline speaking invitations, distance himself from their endorsements and oppose their radical policy goals.

Cella said: "Casey has ducked debates and even press appearances. The people of Pennsylvania may not know where Bob Casey stands, but they now know who he stands with."

Like Rick Santorum, Bob Casey Jr is also a Roman Catholic.

Port Control

The Bush administration is defending the sale of control of six major American ports to a company from the United Arab Emirates from the objections of a number of US Legislators.

Rick Santorum among them.

Santorum Introduced Home Health Care Bill

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette...

Sen. Rick Santorum introduced legislation yesterday that would create new tax incentives for Americans to save for long term home healthcare.

The Pennsylvania Republican said the legislation was the product of his conversations over the past year with older Pennsylvanians struggling to pay for home health care as their medical problems become more complicated. Mr. Santorum's office submitted the bill late yesterday and a text was not yet available from Senate officials last evening.

Mr. Santorum said the measure was also an attempt to reduce the dependency of America's seniors on Medicaid. The cost of the federal program -- originally intended to provide health care for the poor -- has exploded in recent years as increasing numbers of seniors have depended on the program to pay for care in their later years such as nursing home costs, after draining their own assets.