Aarrgghh!!

I'm Dumping Bob Casey

I'm changing my vote for the Democratic primary for the US Senate in Pennsylvania. For those not familiar with the race, my options are: Bob Casey, conservative to moderate son of a former governor, pre-selected by the Democratic machinery to win the primary; and Chuck Pennacchio a true liberal and an underdog who has been shut out by most of the Democratic party in the area for the purpose of saving the fight for Santorum. Oh and there's a third guy, but I'm not really sure he's a real person.

For the longest time, I've been thinking I would probably vote for Casey in the primary. Why? Mostly because he's been touted as a Pro-Life Democrat who's good for labor. This to me equated to the opposite of the "fiscally conservative but morally liberal" DLC clowns that have been in the spot light of the Democratic party for the past 10 years. Also, I'm a Pro-Life Democrat, I'd like there to be more of them. Finally, common wisdom was "he was our only chance at beating Santorum."

But for the past few months, he's generally been acting like he's won the primary already. Candidates typically go to the poles to drum up support from their base for the primaries, then go centrist during the main election to pick off the undecideds. I got no problem with that, it's how the primaries work. But because he's been crowned by the Democratic party, he's been going centrist early. He's made statements supporting the Bush administration's strategy in Iraq. He's for the death penalty (which means his "Pro-Life" position is really just "Anti-Abortion.") He's come out in support of the PATRIOT Act. But the kicker for me was he came out in support of Alito. His statement was:

"I do not agree with everything that Judge Samuel Alito has done or said - particularly many of his rulings which too often result in corporate power prevailing over the interests of consumers and workers... However, I agree with The Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post editorial boards that the arguments against Judge Alito do not rise to the level that would require a vote denying him a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court."
--AP Wire | 01/24/2006 | Casey announces endorsement of Alito

One of Casey's supporters (not clear on the relationship) elaborated on his position:

Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia Democratic political strategist, said Casey could have reaped some short-term political benefits by opposing Alito, but he did what he felt was right. "You can have all the campaign money you want, but if the voters see through you as a political opportunist, you will not be elected."
--Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/25/2006 | Casey supports Alito confirmation

I totally buy and totally respect that Casey didn't have enough of a problem with Alito to oppose him. Here's my problem. I did, and I want my Senator to as well. Casey doesn't agree with me on most of the major issues of today. He won't pander to me during primary season. All I have is that we use the same label to describe ourselves: Pro-Life Democrat.

So that's it. I'm done with Casey. If he wins the primary sure, I'll vote for him over Santorum. But I could also say "I would vote for Specter over Santorum." or more telling, "I would vote for a rotting oak stump over Santorum."

Taking a longer look at Pennacchio I see that he's for: equal rights for gays, a living wage, actual fair trade (not protectionism, and not a corporate free for all,) the protection of women's rights (abortion is in this category, but it encompasses more than just abortion), sensible gun regulation (which acknowledges that "Gun Control" means something different in Philadelphia than it does in Lancaster County), and on and on and on. I agree with so much this guy stands for, I can't believe I was choosing Casey because of a label, whether it was "Pro-Life", "Electable", or even "Democrat."

Take a longer look at Pennacchio, maybe you'll be swayed too: Chuck Pennacchio for United States Senate 2006.

February 12, 2006 Posted by Terrence Ryan at 2:33 AM

Philly, Politics,

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