SantorumBlog

Simply put, Rick is a conservative.  Is he the most conservative man in the world?  No, but he is one of the most conservative in the US Senate.  Pennsylvania needs him.  The US needs him.

Rick clearly understands our national security struggles.  He unapologetically supports the troops AND the mission.  He knows all about international terrorism and can speak about it at length with true passion.  Rick is fully aware that there is evil in the world and that evil is aimed at Americans simply because we’re Americans.

Rick fights for the unborn.  He has worked tirelessly to end the horrific partial birth abortion procedure.  Yes, he has campaigned for pro-choice candidates, but Rick sees the big picture, which is my next point.

Rick is a strategist.  He understands that you will not change American culture overnight.  He recognizes that the liberals have been changing America toward socialism for the last 70 years.  He knows who will be the best allies to make the changes.  Sometimes that means reaching out to moderates in the party.

Rick is against wasteful spending.  Sure, he has voted for some bloated budgets, but only after they were cut down from massive budgets.  Sometimes pork-laden riders get tagged onto good bills, but Rick tends to support the good bills.  Some call this selling out, but the system is flawed, not Rick.  If the Congress worked as small towns (one item at a time), Rick would easily be one of the best fiscal conservatives in Congress.

Rick supports the Second Amendment.  He fought the maddening rules and regulations that the Clinton administration tried to force upon the people.  He fought the rediculous assaults on gun owners by the liberals in today’s Democrat party.  Rick continues the fight to this day.  He understands the need for responsible gun ownership in a free society.

I urge fellow conservatives to go out and vote for Rick.  He has a position of tremendous power in the Senate and can do great things for the Commonwealth and the country.  He’s a conservative.  A good conservative.  And he deserves your support.

Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader endorses Senator Rick Santorum’s reelection.

WE’D LOVE TO have a senator with local roots. There’s no denying that someone with an intimate knowledge of Northeastern Pennsylvania could help our area.

We’re also impressed with Casey’s track record as a financial watchdog while serving as state treasurer. He could use his numbers-savvy to address the national debt.

But we were turned off by Casey during our interview. His message felt scripted. He spoke less about what he’d do as senator and more about what an awful job he believes Santorum has done in office.

Casey seemed to know his lines inside and out. But we wondered how deep his knowledge really is about the issues he’d face as a U.S. Senator.

And it concludes with this.

Santorum deftly outlined his platform, rarely attacking his opponent in the process.

Bob Casey is a robot. Programmed by his handlers to stay on topic, and not stray from the talking points. When they can’t control the situation, they a) don’t show up b) get physical.

Rick Santorum knows what he’s talking about. All the of the debates proved that. All of his interviews proved that. All of his rallies proved that.

In the waning days of the campaign, Bobby Casey still fails to do so.

Reluctantly. The Tribune-Review says that it wishes Senator Santorum was more conservative, but considering that he’s a powerful leader in the Republican Party and a strong advocate for Pennsylvania, combined with the fact that Bob Casey is an empty suit, they have to go with Santorum.

The Trib on Santorum:

“Allow us to stipulate at the outset that we don’t know many U.S. senators who work harder. And unlike most, we generally like Santorum’s demeanor; the Senate could use a few more good eye-poking balderdash busters. His properly strident stance against amnesty for illegal aliens is a good example.

That said, Santorum has done himself, his party and the country no favors in aligning himself with some of the Senate’s more liberal practitioners in the name of “compromise.” As we like to say, “compromise” makes a good umbrella but a poor roof.”

The Trib on Casey:

“We can’t even say Mr. Casey, the state treasurer, is one of those fellas who says everything but says nothing; he simply doesn’t say much of anything. And when he does speak, it’s so passive and intellectually vapid that silence would have been more engaging and informative.”

“It’s by design, of course; the less you say the less you’re held accountable. And while House Democrats have been busy measuring for new curtains in the majority offices they are certain they’ll reclaim, Casey’s Senate Democrat benefactors carefully have been measuring his posterior — to make sure their hands fit into the puppet that he will be.”

So you have liberal newspapers across Pennsylvania complaining that Rick Santorum is too conservative, and you have a conservative newspaper complaining that he’s too liberal. Normally when something like that happens, a politician gets labeled a “moderate”, or even a “maverick” by the media. That’s not going to happen with Santorum, though - for whatever reason, the media just doesn’t like him, as he made clear in this ad:

Let’s show the media what we think of their games by turning out in force to re-elect Senator Santorum on Tuesday.

Popular Christian musician Michael W. Smith has made a radio ad in support of Senator Rick Santorum. I just heard it broadcast on WPGB 104.7 FM in Pittsburgh.

Smith recently wrote the following about Santorum on his website:

“Weeks ago….actually months ago I was able to find a date on my calendar to go to Pennsylvania to campaign with, support and encourage my good friend Senator Rick Santorum. Rick is an amazing guy and one of the finest individuals ever to serve our country on Capitol Hill. I believe in him as a candidate and more important as a brother in Christ.”

So much for the talking point that Evangelicals are abandoning the conservatives. Don’t be fooled by the media!

Peggy Noonan at OpinionJournal.

Rick Santorum’s career (two Senate terms, before that two in the House) suggests he has thought a great deal about the balance, and concluded that in our time the national is the local. Federal power is everywhere; so are the national media. (The biggest political change since JFK’s day is something he, 50 years ago, noted: the increasing nationalization of everything.) And so he has spoken for, and stood for, the rights of the unborn, the needs of the poor, welfare reform when it was controversial, tax law to help the family; against forcing the nation to accept a redefining of marriage it does not desire, for religious freedom here and abroad, for the helpless in Africa and elsewhere. It is all, in its way, so personal. And so national. He has breached the gap with private action: He not only talks about reform of federal law toward the disadvantaged, he hires people in trouble and trains them in his offices.

Santorum issues are hot issues, and raise passions pro and con.

His style has been to face what his colleagues hope to finesse. His opponent, reading the lay of the land, has decided the best way to win is to disappear. He does not like to debate. Mr. Santorum has taken to carrying an empty chair and merrily addressing it.

Mr. Santorum has been at odds with the modernist impulse, or liberalism, or whatever it now and fairly should be called. Most of his own impulses–protect the unprotected, help the helpless, respect the common man–have not been conservative in the way conservative is roughly understood, or portrayed, in the national imagination. If this were the JFK era, his politics would not be called “right wing” but “progressive.” He is, at heart, a Catholic social reformer. Bobby Kennedy would have loved him.

Paxalles comments…

He straddles the balance between representing his state and the United States by coming down on the side of what he sees as the principled course. He doesn’t try to weasel out of his positions like other calculating politicians and has an impressive slate of legislation - and a penchant for bipartisan work to move significant legislation along.

Perhaps Mr. Santorum is not a good fit for the Congress since he does get things done and stands on principle. But it would seem he is just what the Congress needs - someone who does speak honestly among the dissimulating multitudes. His loss will be our loss.

DB Light says he will proudly cast his ballot for Rick Santorum.

She’s right. Rick Santorum is a national treasure and his defeat would be a great loss for the Republic as well as for the Commonwealth. I would disagree only with one point. Although Rick’s compassionate conservatism is firmly located within his Catholic faith, the impulse is not itself specifically Catholic. There is at least one other major figure in Washington these days who has demonstrated qualities of compassion as great as Senator Santorum, and that is the President himself.

Neither Senator Rick nor Dubya fits comfortably within the ideological categories we have imposed on the political culture. Neither is strictly “conservative” nor “progressive.” Both live by a value system that elevates them far above their contemporaries — a deeply felt regard for the lives and sensibilities of the most vulnerable among us. They are both good men, decent men in the best sense of that term, and because of that they are being assailed by Lilliputians.

Both the Senator and the President call upon all of us to be better people than we normally are or would choose to be. For that many resent and hate them — others are inspired to goodness.

Productivity

As Pennsylvanian go to the polls on Tuesday, please think carefully about the vote for senator. We currently have a senator who has worked his way to the No. 3 spot in his party.

He has been responsible for helping to save military bases, helped pass farm bills, helped get a coal refinery plant and represent the interest of all people of this state with aggressive action. Think jobs.

I’m sure Bob Casey would be a very nice dinner guest, but he doesn’t appear to have the push and knowledge to fight for the people of this state the way Sen. Rick Santorum has. Why trade a productive, energetic senator for a “nice guy” with no clout? Vote for the betterment of Pennsylvania, not for a “nice guy.”

The Record.

Rick Santorum was co-sponsor of the “Covering Kids Act of 2005,” which gives more kids health insurance, he helped Pennsylvania’s small businesses provide health insurance to their employees, wrote legislation to provide screening for prevention of breast and cervical cancer, helped expand access to home health care and worked to expand research for Parkinson’s disease.

He supported the Patients’ Bill of Rights, a leading advocate for program which funds community health centers, a leader in the fight to cut down frivolous lawsuits that are forcing doctors out of Pennsylvania, fought for prescription drug coverage, was instrumental in adding $1.5 billion emergency funding for veterans. How in the world can anyone say he is bad for regular folks?

Judges

It is interesting that The Patriot-News and others have so widely covered the New Jersey Supreme Court’s forcing of gay marriage, by whatever name, upon the people of New Jersey. The decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court only makes it all the more clear why the appointment of judges is such a critical function and why I am supporting Rick Santorum for re-election to the Senate.

Bob Casey opposes Pennsylvania adopting a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. He supports civil unions, exactly the same result as the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Casey tries to hide his opinions by refusing to answer questions in debates and by trying to walk a fine line on these critical issues. Whether you always agree with Santorum or not, you know where he stands, and you know that, in the words of Gov. Ed Rendell, he fights for Pennsylvania.

Let’s keep Santorum fighting for Pennsylvania and for the values of Pennsylvanians.

Deserved

Your Oct. 29 editorial endorsed Robert Casey for senator because he will listen and learn? Of course he would. What else can he do? Casey’s a confirmed lightweight; a known quantity in Pennsylvania politics. He hasn’t held an office long enough to become good at any of them.

For that matter, he hasn’t shown much interest in those he has held, preferring to dedicate the majority of his time, as he has done since his last election, to his next opportunity. He’s invisible, stonewalling the voters of Pennsylvania, counting on his supporters in the press to carry his water.

Your endorsement damns Casey with faint praise. If you were to do an article headlined, “Bobby Casey: In his own words,” you’d have trouble finding meaningful content. Rick Santorum deserves re-election. As you fairly noted, Santorum has served the commonwealth effectively. The governor agrees. So should all thinking voters.

A great conservative endorsement for Rick Santorum, proving that he is serious about protecting America’s borders:

Minuteman group endorses Santorum

““We endorse those who will support the laws of this nation and secure the borders,” said Chris Simcox, honorary chairman of the Minuteman Political Action Committee. “We need him (Santorum) in the federal government because he has stood firm on this issue.””

Chris Simcox is a patriot who gave up his own time and money to patrol the borders himself because our government wasn’t doing the job. Thanks to his activism, more and more politicians are beginning to understand the importance of securing our borders.

WorldNetDaily…

Everybody has an opinion about next Tuesday’s midterm congressional election in the U.S. – including senior terrorist leaders interviewed by WND who say they hope Americans sweep the Democrats into power because of the party’s position on withdrawing from Iraq, a move, as they see it, that ensures victory for the worldwide Islamic resistance.

The terrorists told WorldNetDaily an electoral win for the Democrats would prove to them Americans are “tired.”

They rejected statements from some prominent Democrats in the U.S. that a withdrawal from Iraq would end the insurgency, explaining an evacuation would prove resistance works and would compel jihadists to continue fighting until America is destroyed.

They said a withdrawal would also embolden their own terror groups to enhance “resistance” against Israel.

“Of course Americans should vote Democrat,” Jihad Jaara, a senior member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group and the infamous leader of the 2002 siege of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, told WND.

“This is why American Muslims will support the Democrats, because there is an atmosphere in America that encourages those who want to withdraw from Iraq. It is time that the American people support those who want to take them out of this Iraqi mud,” said Jaara, speaking to WND from exile in Ireland, where he was sent as part of an internationally brokered deal that ended the church siege.

Tony Phyrillas says we should changed it to “Better Than Nothing.”

The “better than nothing” attitude has also engulfed the race for governor and Pennsylvania senator. The state’s liberal newspapers are falling all over themselves to endorse Democrats Ed Rendell and Bob Casey, but none of them have made a convincing case that either man is actually a good candidate for the office they’re seeking. Rendell is “better than nothing” as governor. Casey is “better than nothing” as senator.

John Kerry won’t be rocking the vote for Bobby Casey today.

Sen. John Kerry canceled his planned appearance Wednesday at a Philadelphia rally with Democratic Senate candidate Bob Casey amid controversy over comments he made about troops in Iraq.

“We made a decision not to allow the Republican hate machine to use Democratic candidates as proxies is the distorted spin war,” said David Wade, a Kerry spokesman, in a statement.

Casey’s opponent, Sen. Rick Santorum, had said Casey should disavow Kerry’s comments.

Silent Bob isn’t going to say a word. John Kerry’s one of his biggest fundraisers.

Why start talking now?

Update: Jeff Emmanuel gets it right.

Once again, Kerry took the initiative, rather that the candidate he was scheduled to support. Clearly if he had his druthers, Casey would have Kerry there standing by him this evening in Philadelphia — making it clear that he supports Kerry’s comments, and showing that he shares Kerry’s opinion of the military.

And one more thing… Is this really an apology?

“I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform and I personally apologize to any service member, family member or American who was offended,” Kerry said in a statement.

Besides, isn’t he “apologizing” after being against apologizing?

And Taranto says…

Even if the statement was a “botched joke,” what on earth would possess Kerry to think that this excuses what he said? George Allen and Trent Lott didn’t get passes for “botched jokes”;

He also reminds us of Kerry’s reaction to Trent Lott’s “botched joke.”

In case you’re wondering.

$64,000 of Bob Casey’s cash came via John Kerry’s website.

And over half a million came from John Kerry fundraisers. As a matter of fact, John Kerry has raised more for Bobby Casey than anyone else.

No wonder Bobby isn’t in a hurry to ditch him.

John Kerry is still planning on coming to Philadelphia.

I trust that Bobby Casey will be welcoming him with open arms.

While in the midst of a political firestorm following his comments on the Iraq war, Senator John Kerry is expected in Philadelphia Wednesday to campaign for Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr.

The White House accused Sen. John Kerry on Tuesday of troop-bashing, seizing on a comment the Massachusetts Democrat made to California students that those unable to navigate the country’s education system “get stuck in Iraq.”

“Senator Kerry not only owes an apology to those who are serving, but also to the families of those who’ve given their lives in this,” White House press secretary Tony Snow said. “This is an absolute insult.”

CourierPost:

Just two days after a controversial comment about troops in Iraq, U.S. Sen. John Kerry is scheduled to appear in Philadelphia this afternoon for a rally in support of Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey.

On Monday, Kerry told a group of California students that those unable to navigate the country’s education system “get stuck in Iraq.”

Kerry is to appear at 5:30 p.m. today at 2 Logan Square in Philadelphia. Casey, a fellow Democrat, is leading incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum in the polls.

Senator Santorum called his fellow Senator’s remarks, “Despicable.”

No comment yet from Silent Bob.

Donna Baver Rovito guest post…

Recently there have been numerous attacks on Senator Rick Santorum’s support from the “special interest” pharmaceutical industry, as if support from a highly successful industry that employs thousands of PA citizens and pays millions in taxes, is a BAD thing.

While it is factual that Santorum has received about $450,000 from pharmaceutical/health products companies, making that industry Santorum’s SEVENTH largest contributing group, it is ALSO factual that his opponent, Bob Casey, Jr. has received the VAST MAJORITY of his support from another group which might be labeled a “special interest,” i.e., LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS.

Casey’s campaign has been almost entirely funded by the lawyers whose anti-tort reform agenda he supports - $2.1 MILLION, making that “industry” his largest source of funds, over four times as much as his second highest contributing group which has given him only $482,000, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics at opensecrets.org.

Santorum’s largest contributing group, on the other hand, is RETIRED persons, contributing $1.1 million. Sen. Santorum supported the Medicare drug benefit AS WELL AS safe drugs for PA residents, so it’s no surprise that retired citizens support him.

It also shouldn’t surprise anyone that the pharmaceutical industry supports Santorum, who recognizes its value to Pennsylvania’s health and economy, over Casey, who supports importation of potentially unsafe or dangerous drugs from other countries which don’t require FDA-level protections.

It should also be no surprise that trial lawyer Bob Casey Jr. is primarily supported by lawyers and law firms, since he opposes any and all measures that would restore some sense of fairness to our civil justice system and help keep doctors practicing in Pennsylvania.

Some Democrats are.

A Democratic Congressional candidate from Iowa is canceling a campaign event later this week with Senator John Kerry.

Brucy Braley says Kerry’s recent comments about the Iraq war were inappropriate.

Braley is running against Republican Mike Whalen in Iowa’s First District congressional race. It’s a contest considered to be one of the most competitive House races in the country.

Braley’s decision to distance himself from Kerry came as a furor grew from comments Kerry made about the Iraq War during a campaign stop in California on Monday.

Best line of the story?

“Kerry refused to apologize.”

John Kerry is coming to Philadelphia on Wednesday to campaign for Bobby Casey. I wonder if it’s too late to cancel.

Update: John Kerry is cancelling some events.

John Kerry was scheduled to appear in front of a Veterans group tomorrow, according to Fox TV his events have now been canceled. He doesn’t even have the courage to face a Veteran’s organization, but he can stand at a California college and smear our troops in Iraq yet once, again - just as he did when he called them terrorists.

Update II: It looks like John Kerry is cancelling all events on wednesday.

A report here from John Gibson that Casey (and three other Dems) has denounced John Kerry.

Why isn’t this front page news from Bob Casey?

Update: Kerry is still expected.

While in the midst of a political firestorm following his comments on the Iraq war, Senator John Kerry is expected in Philadelphia Wednesday to campaign for Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr.

The White House accused Sen. John Kerry on Tuesday of troop-bashing, seizing on a comment the Massachusetts Democrat made to California students that those unable to navigate the country’s education system “get stuck in Iraq.”

“Senator Kerry not only owes an apology to those who are serving, but also to the families of those who’ve given their lives in this,” White House press secretary Tony Snow said. “This is an absolute insult.”

Spitballs!

“I am not involved in any other race in the country,” Miller said during a radio interview Monday, according to a news release from Santorum’s campaign. “I am only doing this for Rick Santorum. I believe in Rick Santorum’s leadership that much.”

Spitballs!

So, if Planned Parenthood goes after Rick Santorum, is that a tacit endorsement of Bobby Casey?

You’d think they’d opt to stay out of the fray.

I mean, Casey being “pro-life” was supposed to be one of the neutralizing factors cited by Democrats.

Maybe it’s because they think that Bob Casey will keep his mouth shut on “their” issues. Abortion, Plan B (I repeat myself), Judges, Feminism(?), Education (?)….

Santorum Press Release

During a radio interview late yesterday in Harrisburg, former Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) formally kicked off Democrats for Santorum, a statewide coalition of Democrats dedicated to Senator Santorum’s reelection effort. Over 7,000 members strong, Democrats for Santorum is a coalition of Pennsylvanians who share Senator Santorum’s commitment to national security, lower taxes, and less government regulation.

During the radio interview, Senator Miller said, “I am not involved in any other race in the country. I am only doing this for Rick Santorum. I believe in Rick Santorum’s leadership that much. I believe in his leadership more than anyone else I served with in the US Senate…Rick Santorum was more than just a good friend to me, he was someone I looked up to for guidance.”

“Throughout my career in public service, I have been able to accomplish many things by working with members of both parties,” said Senator Santorum. “Whether it be by passing the Syria Accountability Act, preserving open space, working to make kids safer on the internet - all initiatives where I partnered with Democrats - I have a record of working for Pennsylvania. The bottom line is that when it comes to Pennsylvania’s priorities, I will work with those where I can find common ground to get the job done.”

I understand that Governor Ed Rendell is also a charter member.

“Rick Santorum has proven that he gets the job done. Time and time again he has come through,” Mr. Rendell said in an interview conducted by the Trib’s Salena Zito for a July 31 Weekly Standard magazine commentary on the Santorum-Casey race.

“I will eventually campaign with Casey. But, no, you won’t see me attack Santorum. I work well with him … . When it comes to Pennsylvania, Santorum delivers.”