Freedom's Gate: Pennsylvania's Jr. Senator

I'm not really sure what I think of Bob Casey, current PA Treasurer, heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination for Sen. Rick Santorum's seat in the 2006 election. I know I don't like Chuck Pennacchio, Casey's only announced competition for the Democratic nomination.

Casey has consistently over the past 4 months polled double digit leads over lil' Ricky "man-on-dog" Santorum. This is expected to be one of the highest profile Senate races in 2006, with lil' Ricky being the #3 man in the Senate, after all. Over $20 million is expected to be spent on this race. But lil' Ricky has this little problem, see. He just can't keep his mouth shut about his extremist views that most Pennsylvanian's don't like. He's also highly likely to have many principled conservatives (accord to many articles and editorials in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review) sit this one out for his support of the re-election of Sen. Arlen Specter over Rep. Pat Toomey in the 2004 Republican primary).

Why Casey over Santorum?

Two main reasons: Santorum is truly a frightening individual; and it helps to lower the Republican majority in the Senate and removes one of their leaders.

Why am I not sure about Casey?

I don't really know too much about his stance on the issues. His website has no issues page. I know that he's anti-choice. I don't know if this is something that would try to legislate or just a personal position. That's my biggest concern with him. Maria over at 2 Political Junkies really doesn't like him because he's anti-stem-cell research; but I like his position (and Rep. Ron Paul's) that there should be no federal funding of stem-cell research (although private sector should pursue it), as that's not a Consitutional power of the federal government, and is forcing people who do have moral objections to finance it in a round-about manner.

Why don't I like Pennacchio?

I've read his positions on the issues, and listened to him speak and talked to him at last month's PA Young Democrats State Convention. He's very big on federal power, and many of his positions lean towards socialism, but my biggest problem with him is his continuing advocation of more victim disarmament laws.

How about Santorum?

Too many to list, but for a brief sampling:
His shameless exploitation of Terry Schiavo;
His ethical problems in Pennsylvania;
His advocacy of a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions;
His statements that the cause of sexual abuse of children by priest's is due to liberalism in Boston;
His utter disdain for individual rights and advocacy of state restriction:

In an interview with the Associated Press, the Senator suggested that the government has the right to prohibit gay and lesbian individuals from expressing love for each other physically. "The idea is that the state doesn't have rights to limit individuals' wants and passions. I disagree with that," said the Senator, "I think we absolutely have rights because there are consequences to letting people live out whatever wants or passions they desire. And we're seeing it in our society."