SantorumBlog

Breakfast with the Candidates

Pre-Game:

Here’s what I said earlier…

My prediction? More jugular.

… and Bob Casey better get knowed up on world leaders. Especially the bad ones.

…

He embarrassed himself in every debate so far.

1) Meet the Press: Tim Russert laughed in his face for not knowing a single program he’d cut.
2) PCN Senate Forum: He didn’t show up.
3) US Chamber of Commerce: Ditto.
4) “Khatami Who?” is not part of a joke.

I except he’s going to whip out the obscure fact card at least once on Monday. … and it will be boring as hell.

We have no idea if they’ll be as close together as the KDKA debate, but we’ll find out.

The discussions are “general gist of a response,” not transcriptions. Inline comments are in brackets.

Intro
KYW/CBS reporters Larry Kane, Tony Romeo, Mike Dunn are the panelists.

Q1: Casey is keeping a low profile to make a referendum on you, you’re a lighting rod. But your underdog position suggest that you may have alienated voters?

Santorum: I work hard everyday for Pa. On the big issues of the day, you’ll make people mad. I’m not desperate, I’m exasperated. I’m forthright, and I answer the tough questions. Bob Casey hasn’t done that. Discussion of position in Schiavo affair last year.

Casey: An incumbents positions are very important. Voters will judge his record. [98% voting record mention #1.] Ratifying failures of the Bush administration. Failure the cut deficit. Failure to raise minimum wage. Failure to fix Iraq. Failure to replace Iraqi leaders [what????]. Alluding to some quotes from Santorum’s book, he wants to support public education instead of denigrating it.

Q2: Casey, the senator says your vague. What exactly your same-sex marriage position? Against marriage, but for rights and protections (civil unions). Are you walking a line?

Casey: There is a difference between civil unions and marriage. There’s a difference between Santorum and I. I’m not for a Constitutional Amendment. GOP has hijacked this issue. We need uniters. Santorum is a leader in dividing [Nice answer! Where was it?]

Santorum: In 98% of his answers he says I vote 98% with Bush. Santorum promises to count!!! He didn’t answer the question. He never defined the difference. He’s for all the rights and privileges but he’s not willing to call it marriage. That’s a fine line. I respect gays. I work with them. But there’s a difference when you try to impose a whole new system of American marriage. It’s not bigotry and divisive.

Casey: I use devisive, yes. [But there some debate on a term Casey used, I didn’t catch it Update: The word was bigot.]

Q3: Your book says: Honest look at budget, both parents may not need to work. In Philly 1/5 of families are at or below poverty level.

Santorum: I’m glad you ask. No one reads the preceding sentences. “They” are wealthy familes. The book discusses low and mid income families and what to do. I wrote the Welfare Reform bill. A lot of my staff are working women. We don’t help low and moderate income families enough. Our tax policy is killing families.

Follow up: Raising gas / heating oil prices, are tax cuts enough to have people stay home?

Santorum: In 1950 we only took 2% of people’s pay. Of course.

Casey: Santorum is satisfied with where we are. [he didn’t say that] I talk about specifics as part of my new direction. Minimum wage, healthcare bill for children, and bill for small business. We don’t need people to judge Americans.

Traffic & Weather Break: Larry Kane: Be more succinct with your answers, so we can get more in!

Q4: Since 9/11 American government is balancing security vs liberty. Are domestic wiretaps illegal like your party thinks?

Casey: We have to make sure we can wiretap known or suspected terrorists. We’re not going to allow terrorists to gain the upper hand. Give law enforcement and federal agencies the tools they need. Republicans like my opponent can succcessfully beat up Democrats on this issue. There are more things we need to be doing. 1) Double number of special forces. We need 100K instead of 50K. Find terrorists and kill them. 2) We should implement all 9/11 commission recommendations. 3) Energy independence.

Santorum: Prior question cleanup, I voted for Minimum Wage, raised by $2. He would have voted against the bill. He’s for health care that would require a raise of a trillion dollars in taxes. Santorum agrees with Casey’s current position, despite Casey being all over the map on domestic wiretapping. Doubling SF is a great talking point. All Dems use it. But DOD says it’s impossible to do in 20 or 25, much less 5. It takes 2 to 4 years to make a Green Beret, with a 98% drop out rate. It’s not realistic. Energy indepenendce. How close are Chinese drilling to American shores? “I don’t know, tell us Rick, you know everything.” They’re 50 miles out. You won’t allow us to do it 100 miles away. ANWR mention.

Casey: We can’t drill our way to energy independence. We need alternative energies. You vote against him. “Talking points?” Doubling is not a talking point. Rick Santorum is a talking point expert. Your a leader in your party. That’s your job! He voted against minimium wage 13 times. [He can’t answer how many times Rick voted for it]

Santorum: I vote to help small businesss. 40% of a bill last year was about renewable fuels incentives. He’s wrong. Coal to liquid plant in Schuylkill County.

Follow up, You’ve never voted against alternative fuels?

Santourm: Excessive tax breaks for Ethanol. But I’ve always been pro alternative fuels.

Casey: LCV and Sierra Club endorsed me. They know the difference. LCV says Santorum is 10% right on the issues.

Santorum: LCV has “family planning” on their issue list.

Casey: 0% rating from GOP environmental group. When asked by Santorum, he says he can’t remember the name. [Good one, Bob. If you’ve got a kudgel, you SHOULD KNOW WTF IT IS.]

Santorum: My record stands on its own. You complain about Iraq, but we can have independant energy.

Traffic & Weather Break: It’s getting a little more heated. More crosstalk and Santorum/Casey addressing each other.

Q5: To Santorum: NorK and Iran nuclear ambitions impact global stability. Does diplomacy buy them more time?

Santorum: I’ve been in front pushing these issues…Particular the Iran threat. I disagree with the administration, particularly over the Iran Support Act. But we finally got it passed. Steps up sanctions and funds Democratic groups. Regarding NorK. We’ve got to step it up. They’re related. The Administration has been right on Korea. We’ve been pushing the six party talks. What does Casey think about Clinton Administation Agreed Framework. But we have to keep every option on the table.

Follow up: Have we run out of time?

Santorum: Yes. They have the bomb. McCain calls for selective strikes in North Korea, if we don’t think about it we’ll be there with Iran soon enough.

Casey: Take every step necessary to prevent Iran from getting the bomb. He’s pleased with North Korea resolution. You can’t take strikes off the table. We should use political economic and diplomatic power to fix it. The Administration has had six years to do something. They let it happen. That’s a problem. We’ve got a home deficit and record debt. That limits our economic power [wtf?] Our diplomatic power is weaker because we’ve alienated allies. Finally, the American people have a sense that we’re in a weaker position because of the Bush administration. He thinks Rumsfeld is fine.

Santorum: Casey are you having trouble hearing? I put forward concrete answers. Differeing on Iran. He never answered if he supports “Agreed framework”

Follow up: McCain blames the Clinton Administation. Is there any forward thinking?

Casey: Good point. Culture in Washington is toxic. Congress, and administration are same party. And there’s still division in Washington. This is a do-nothing Congress. [conservative and libertarian Republicans could only wish]

Follow up: Congress rates worse than Bush.

Casey: But it’s Republicans!

Santorum: He’s good at definining problems, but lacks solutions.

Casey: Another talking point!

Santorum: Outlines some proactive security measures. I’ve lead. I have legislation.

Traffic & Weather Break: It’s hard to say what Casey thought of Iran and North Korea, other than “it’s bad!”

Q6: Student Voices has submitted questions. Students are concerned about school violence, what would you do? What are the plans for a better future for students? Be specific.

Casey: It’s a good question. We need to recognize that Washington’s priorities are wrong. There are cuts in federal spending. Cuts in COPS program. Safe & Drug Free schools Act was propsed to be eliminated. We’ve got to beef up the F part of the ATF. Because in Philadelphia, for example, there are 5200 gun dealers, but only 20 agents. More agents.

Santorum: Author of School Safe Act to see if employees are violent criminals. Another bill which eliminates child exploitation on internet. Amy’s Law. Violent offenders serve full terms. $1.5 million for Philly on school violence. ABE & Reading money against fight against violence. Housing, I’ve been responsible for $800 million for PHA housing. Chester’s crime rate is down 70%. I show up to work. I do my job.

Follow up: What do you mean? Is that an attendance record rehash?

Casey goes way on the defense. Don’t lecture me on who works hard. “We all work hard.” You’ve been working hard for the worng people. Big oil has given you a lot of money.

Santorum: You’ve had 13 public appearance in last 7 weeks. I’m accountable to where I’m at. You’re not.

Follow up: Do you take time off to campaign?

Santorum: Sure. But I’ve get to every county every year.

Casey: Specter says “senate meets two days a week” [a rehash of the last debates press conference]

Santorum: Specter came out in defense of my last week over that point.

Casey: It’s a ridiculous topic. [he’s regretting bring it up]

Santorum: I’m accountable and transparent. Treasurer’s website is only one without “right to know” officer.

Casey: I’m worried that you worry about my schedule!

Santorum: Knowning your record and what you’ve done is important. You’ve been an official for 10 years!

Traffic & Weather Break:

Q6: Specific solutions on War on Terror. Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The city is debating how to pretect it. Park Service put up “bike racks” to prevent terrorists, soon they’re going to put up a seven foot fence. Specifically, how would you protect it?

Casey: Listen to experts. If that’s how we should do it, we should do it. However, there’s a lot not being done in Washington. Subways [OMG he knows the names of Philly’s subway lines] There’s no way to communicate underground for police. That’s scary. The feds have dropped the ball. We didn’t get a grant. Major city need the tools.

Follow up: Have you looked at what the experts have said?

Casey: No, but as Senator I would. [ha!]

Santorum: Specter and I have. Met with head of Parks Service, she’s the former director here. We’re going to have one more hearing. Santorum is concerned about height. He doesn’t support it. Thinks there are problems. We can look at DC and what they do with their buildings. There’s no seven foot high fence around the Capitol. Look at those alternatives.

Q7: Santorum & Clinton joined on electronic media affecting children study. Critics say study could be used to justify censorship of violent media. Would study be used that way? Why is it needed?

Santorum: We need to know impact of violent media on children. Still going through the house. Works with Lieberman on a similar private sector effort. Business want to see better information. Society needs to recognized affects. That’s the point of the study. It would be up to parents to watch over it.

Casey: I agree we should study this issue. As AG, when you spend $90 million, we shold scrutinze it though.

Q8: What about allegations that you’ve been laying low? On abortion and other similar Santorum positions that might rile your base?

Casey: I disagree with premise. I put 10 specific issues on the table. I’ve been specific. I’ve answer questions. There’s no ambiguity.

Kane: On pro-life?

Casey: No, I’m pro-life.

Santorum: There are similarities, yes. Abortion, voting for Iraq war. But there are big differences. He wouldn’t vote for pro-economy Bush tax cuts. His plan is raise taxes and SBA.

Casey: Yes. SBA would add more jobs. But Santorum’s position is “more of the same; Everything is wonderful.” But health care premiums are up 70% since Bush administration. Housing 47%, Tuition up 57%. Say to Paris Hilton, we’re at war, we have a deficit, you pay more. Starting in 2007.

Santorum: Paris won’t fund the trillion in new spending you propose. It’s going to be a lot more people. Yes more of the same, low taxes. Health care is up partly because of illegal immigrants who use health care.

Casey: I don’t favor amnesty.

Santorum: He would have voted for the bill that gives amnesty for 13 million.

Casey: You’re blaming Specter?

Santorum: Costs are up because of that.

Casey: Up for 13 million dportations?

Santorum: Up for deporting illegals.

Q9: Senator, you are opposed to most forms of contraception

Santorum: No, federal funding.

Kane: Ok. Federal funding.

Santorum: It’s not federal governments best move. But we disagree on Plan B. It’s an abortifacient. Ask any pro-life group. He supports because he doesn’t think it’s an abortifacient.

Romeo: Plan B, “science is clear” on Meet the Press.

Casey: We’re talking contraception. It’s clear. Santorum has said birth control is harmful to women.

Santorum: Name a scientist who doesn’t call it an abortion. Or an organization…

Casey: I don’t have a scientists’s name. Catholic Conference has an opinion. Are you a scientist too?

Much crosstalk here.

Casey: Family planning & helping parents and children afterbirth. Santorum’s a divider. We shuld lower voices.

Santorum: Even with lowered voices, you have to tell the truth. I’ve worked with Specter on stem-cell research.

Casey: Do the same thing on abortion!

Santorum: Dick Durbin and I have worked on Global AIDS. I’ve been working to save their lives. Ask Bono. I find common ground on difficult issues. No, I’m not a scientist, but I can look at the information.

Q10: Back to Schiavo. At the time Casey agreed with Santorum on congressional intervention warranted? Are you in lockstep with Santorum? Outside of the trip down there, what’s the difference?

Casey: Not exactly, we should err on the side of life. They used Schiavo divisely. He flew down there grandstanding. I thought it was wrong. That’s the last they needed.

Santorum: He didn’t answer the question. He complained about Santorum being there. The Schindlers were consituents and contacted me. I went to pray with them. It would have been unconcsionable to have been in Tampa and not visited them. He’s not ashamed for praying with them.

Follow up: In light of the autopsy, was involvement correct?

Santorum: Anyone in a questionable matter, with a state taking a life, like in capital cases, we need a federal review.

Casey: No response.

Kane: Closing comments. He said there were many clear answers.

Post Mortem: It was pretty civil. I was wrong on my “more jugular” prediction.

Senator Santorum yet again demonstrates why a November loss would be bad for all of us. He commands the issues, foreign policy especially, and knows them well. He can cite his own record and defend it.

The Khatami effect (asking a specific question of Casey) was used by Santorum in this debate. Casey wanted to reduce dependance on foreign oil. The natural answer would be to increase domestic production, especially offshore. Santorum played the Chinese oil drilling in Cuban gulf waters. Casey had no idea how close they were. This despite Casey’s support of a ban on offshore drilling with 100 miles. In the post-debate KYW “snippets” they play this exchange. It sounds even worse the second time around. Regarding the minimum wage, Casey often says that Santorum voted against it 13 times, but could not answer how many times Santorum voted to raise it.

One of Santorum’s best moves was to shut down one of Casey’s talking points by mocking it. It’s become a joke how often Casey says “George Bush, Rick Santorum 98% voting” or something similar. Every speech he gives. He says it once in an early question. What does Santorum do? Look how many times he says that? We’re going to count. Casey never said it again.

Bobby Casey again managed to look like an unserious candidate. His responses seemed canned and right out of his talking point toolbox, attacking the administration and Santorum’s record, without presenting much substance. His first answer, on his campaign keeping a low profile was bad one. All he did was say how “bad” Santorum was. To Rick’s credit he said, “look! he didn’t answer!” His same-sex marriage answer was equally vague. Despite saying there’s a difference between same sex marriage and civil unions, he didn’t explain it; all he really said was he’s against the Marriage Amendment.

Two of the questioners also tried a Khatami-style question. One was on the security fences around Independence Hall. Someone asked Casey if he had spoken to experts on the issue. “No, but if I were Senator I would” is a pretty lousy answer. Sound’s like John Kerry’s secret plan for Iraq. Elect me, and I’ll tell you! Responding to a student asked question on specific programs to curb school violence, all Casey said was “federal spending cuts! and we need more ATF agents.” In the pre-game, I guessed that he would “whip out the obscure detail card” and he did. There are 20 ATF agents in Philly to monitor 5200 gun dealers. And yes, his use, as predicted, was boring as hell, and poorly used in response to the question.

In that same vein, he said that a Republican environmental group also called Santorum bad. But when pressed for the name, he couldn’t remember it. Whoops.

Santorum’s worst answer was over the media violence study. The question was wondering if it would be used to justify censorship. I didn’t catch a yes or no. I would have a pulled an “Alan Keyes” and questioned the question’s premise. It’s a study. You have no idea how would be used.

However, I think he was glad to hear his book quoted. He took the opportunity to resolve the chronic misquotation of the “stay at home” mom section.

I was surprised that Casey wants to overthrow replace the Democratically elected leaders of Iraq.

A little bickering happened over work-ethic. Casey is very defensive about that Inquirer article which said he only came to the office half the time. “We all work hard” is an answer you give if you don’t have one.

Regarding the Plan B contraception answer, Casey looks like a knucklehead asking Santorum is he’s a scientist. Is that some kind of a chickenhawk-style question? How easily can that be turned on him? Santorum should have done that.

Overall the tenor of the debate was much more sedate. I suspect neither had really tanked up on coffee this morning. There was some crosstalk in certain sections, but it was nothing like KDKA’s debate. The residency issue didn’t come up. No one here in the Southeast much cares about it. Sort of like the Pa payraise issue, which is/was a huge deal everywhere else.

Santorum wins, naturally. He knows what he’s talking about. On all the issues. Casey’s disappointing. Even with my low expectations of Bob Casey, he still manages to let me down. Even more disappointing that that “stay low and ride Santorum out” strategy is keeping him ahead in all of the polling.

Today’s second debate takes place at 7PM on WPVI Channel 6. Santorum is going to go for more details, “I don’t know” is a bad answer to give on any issue if you’re a candidate.

The audio is available “On Demand”

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