MidnightBlue comments on these billboards seen in the Philly area.
Once again proving that he is no right-wing partisan, Fox News’ Chris Wallace confronted Senator Santorum with some tough questions this morning. As usual, Santorum stood his ground and answered the questions while Casey was off hiding somewhere. (Note: These are not direct quotes, but rather are my paraphrasing of the questions and answers - Update: An actual transcript is up on FoxNews.com):
Wallace: Polls show you behind by more than 10 points. You have been in the Senate for twelve years… why shouldn’t we look at this and say Pennsylvanians know who Rick Santorum is, and they just aren’t buying this year?
Santorum: We have a lot of polls that show different than that, and we’re happy about our position right now. I’m out talking about the important issues of the day. I’ve talked about the “Gathering Storm”, the threat we face. The people are beginning to understand that we need leadership, not people who hide, as my opponent who didn’t come on the show today. He has nothing to offer but ‘let’s raise taxes’.
Wallace: Let’s look at one of your ads. (Shows the last few seconds of the “Baltic Avenue” ad) Bob Casey along with pictures of Kim Jong Il, Ahmadinejad and a mushroom cloud! How do you justify making the case that he votes for Amnesty and is therefore soft on terrorists?
Santorum: He’s against the missile defense system and he’s against nuclear-tipped bunker busting bombs which would be necessary to take out installations in Iran.
Wallace: But you said he supports Amnesty for illegals and therefore is soft on terror.
Santorum: You only showed a piece of that ad. The other things I mentioned are a part of that ad, including NSA wiretap which he refuses to take a position on. I came out and made a long speech about these issues and he accused me of fear-mongering. I’m not fear-mongering; I’m describing reality.
Wallace: Let’s talk about the reality of the vote on illegal immigration. All he said is that he would vote for the comprehensive immigration reform package in the Senate, which was supported by 23 Republican Senators and President Bush! Does that make them soft on terror?
Santorum: (Nods, “yes”) I think in that particular respect, yes. Anything that says to the people of the world that they can break our laws, come into our country, and we’ll give them Amnesty, then you encourage more people to come and I think that does allow for the opportunity (of an attack) if we don’t secure the borders. An overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians reject the Senate bill.
Wallace: Senator, you’re saying that your Pennsylvania colleague Arlen Specter, and George W. Bush, both of whom supported that bill, are soft on terrorists?!
Santorum: I don’t know how I can make it more clear, Chris. If we don’t secure the borders and if we give Amnesty, then we’re going to get more people in this country that I believe could be a threat to this country and I think we’re seeing that.
Wallace: You also link Casey to US casualties in Iraq since he has opposed energy exploration. (Shows clip of Santorum blasting Casey for playing to environmental extremists at the expense of our troops in the Middle East.) Senator, I thought we went into Iraq to get rid of Weapons of Mass Destruction?
Santorum: I think everyone realizes that the principle reason why Islamic fascism is the threat that it is today is that they have resources and they have oil. The only way we’re going to holistically confront this threat is to develop energy security in this country. We need to use all means necessary, but Casey is against offshore drilling. China is drilling 50 miles off the shore of the US, but he won’t allow the US to drill 100 miles off the shore. He’ll allow 3,700 gas and oil wells to be drilled in western PA last year, but he won’t allow us to drill less than 1,000 wells in the north slope of Alaska over the next 25 years. Our men and women are out there and they’re sacrificing because they (Islamic fascists) have resources to be able to project power. The only reason Iran can get a nuclear weapon is that they have the oil revenue. We have to use every resource we have to become energy secure!
Wallace: Pennsylvania does not have a gay marriage ban on the ballot, but are you going to try to make gay marriage an issue because in the neighboring state of New Jersey, the Supreme Court there just said that same-sex couples should have full legal rights?
Santorum: My opponent and I are very different on this issue. He said that he would fight against any state or federal constitutional amendment that would secure the right of the people to define what marriage is. He would allow the courts to decide the issue. I don’t believe in that. On the great moral issues of our time, the people have a right to speak and say what their collective morality is, and what kind of country they want to live in. A few unelected or even elected judges should not impose that. He would go along with the unelected judges. He supports civil unions.
For the record, this program aired on Fox 53 WPGH in Pittsburgh. About halfway through the show, Santorum’s Wrestling ad aired. That means his ads are back on non-cable stations.
Update by AlexC: Mark Kilmer also blogged it at Redstate. He writes…
Rick pointed out that Casey “hides from the public… because he has nothing to offer.”
Wallace played a clip of Rick arguing that opposing the use of domestic energy benefits the terrorists. Santorum said that Islamic fascists are taken so seriously because they have oil. Casey, he said, opposes offshore drilling and exploration in ANWR.
Given what just happened with the courts in New Jersey, Wallace asked, is gay marriage an issue in the Pennsylvania race? Rick thinks so, and he pointed out that Casey would remove the ability to define marriage from the people and give it to a few judges. He said that Casey supports gay marriage without the term “marriage,” i.e.– civil unions.
… and I saw the North Korea ad on Philadelphia’s WTXF Fox 29 10 o’clock news.
Patriot-News letter to the editor…
Santorum disagrees with the president on a number of issues, especially border security. He voted against the Senate immigration bill because it did not adequately secure the border and it would grant illegal aliens citizenship.
Santorum is the author of the Social Security Guarantee Act, which guarantees by law that seniors’ Social Security benefits can never be cut. It also guarantees an annual cost of living increase.
He helped secure $100 million in funding to build America’s first ever coal to ultra-clean plant. Located in Pennsylvania, this facility will create jobs and more affordable energy.
Santorum has sponsored legislation called Fair Care, which would help laid-off workers continue to receive health care.
He co-sponsored a bill called the Savings for Working Families Act to help low-income families with college tuition.
The United States has vast amounts of oil and natural gas off its shores in the Outer Continental Shelf. The OCS is the area a couple hundred miles off the East, West and Gulf coasts. This year, the Minerals Management Service re-assessed its estimates for undiscovered OCS reserves and reported there are 85.88 billion barrels of oil and 419.88 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to alter the federal moratorium on offshore drilling from 200 miles to 50 miles, but the Senate has balked. However, the Senate has recently approved the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (supported by Sens. Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter) which opens up 8.3 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico for leasing.
I’m watching the replay of the Rick Santorum chief strategist John Brabender / Casey campaign manager Jay Reiff PCN call in show. This is “not really a live blog.” I’m battling insomnia.
(note: there has been ex post facto editing of formatting and syntax)
The setup is kind of like Meet the Press, Round II. Except no Tim Russert and with callers… and no ADM or BASF commercials; or Bob Casey or Rick Santorum… and on cable.
Pretty unbearable, so far. Jay Reiff is unwilling to answer clearly unless John Brabender pushes him, and even then, not very clear.
15 minutes into it I can definately say what Jay, and by extension Casey, are for: Rumsfeld is bad, class warfare, and tired Democrat talking points.
Jay did say that Casey wants new leadership in charge of the war. But what kind of direction the new leader will (rather, should) provide, didn’t get explained. I guess it’s kind of like Casey’s “new direction.” It’s vague at best.
So far the calls are being more directed at Casey/Reiff.
Regarding the efficacy of thirty-second TV commercials, Reiff thinks they’re effective, Brabender would rather do debates, but if it comes down to it, commercials it will be. Of course, with Santorum having twice Casey’s money, Santorum has the upper hand there.
Jay did say that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians saw Sunday’s debate. There’s no need for debates in all of Pennsylvania’s tv markets (in response to Brabender’s volley).
Islamofascism has come up, and Jay’s argument was about the terms… terrorist vs Islamofascists, instead of just killing them.
A doctor called in about tort-reform and Casey’s funding. Jay didn’t answer the question. Brabender wants to know if Casey’s in the lawyer’s backpocket. “Santorum is in the pocket of big-insurance and big-pharma and Karen Santorum sued for malpractice!” was the reply. The moderator had to break it up.
Next up is Plan B. Caller asks about Plan B embryos vs stem-cell research embryos, and how Casey can maintain both positions. Reiff goes to the science. He’s chapped that the caller says Casey agrees with George Bush on this. Reiff actually questions Santorum’s pro-life position, while Brabender attacks Casey’s position. I thought abortion was off the table in 2006 in Pa? Excellent calculus there, Democrat king-makers (Rendell & Schumer).
So far all of the call in questions (save for one) have been directed to Reiff.
War in Iraq: Next caller says a majority of Democrats voted for the Iraq war, why aren’t they being held accountable? Reiff plays the WMD/imminent card. Despite the facts… and the “whereas” clauses in that bill. Brabender argues Saddam was a problem. Brabender raises liberal politicization of the war, noting that Liberman was defeated over Iraq, and Casey came out in favor of Lamont. Reiff goes for the Rumsfeld good job question…. now he’s pushing the “fire Rummy? yes or no” question… Pretty ballsy asking for the yes/no answer. Casey’s entire strategy to date has been to avoid that kind of answer.
A little break in the action, Brabender has the Tim “I can’t believe this guy’s running for office” Russert look, while Reiff isn’t showing any emotion.
Deficits. Caller asks for 3 programs that Casey would cut. “and a straight answer please.”
Reiff responds with 1) Eliminate the tax cut for the wealthy 2) Tax loopholes for Exxon-Mobil. 3) Transparency with pork.
That’s a hell of a straight answer there Jay. Really. Raising taxes isn’t a cut in spending.
Scare Tactics: Caller says that GOP playbook is to scare the voters and insulting to Bob Casey. The caller also wants to put two kids through college on one salary, and what has/will Santorum do about that. 40 minutes into it, and this is the second “to Rick” caller.
Brabender says not to put our heads in the sand. He also lists pro-family tax cuts that Santorum has fought for. As well as education programs.
Reiff’s rebuttal is that college prices have outpaced federal spending on colleges. Why the federal government should track private sector (or state colleges) tuition, he never answered. He goes back to Rick Santorum thinks Exxon-Mobil deserves big tax breaks. Exxon-Mobil yet again. If I was playing the Jay Reiff drinking game and doing a shot on “Exxon-Mobil” I’d be wasted.
Immigration: Caller bashes Santorum on a whole host of issues, but then agrees with Santorum’s amnesty position, why is Casey for amnesty?
Reiff answer “Rick Santorum has done nothing about this. Santorum is for amnesty. Against enforcement, against border guards. It’s for political gain. His plan is to do nothing.” So what’s Casey’s position and why? Never answered it.
Brabender explains the Senate bill, and Reiff interrupts repeatedly. Two year tax “amnesty” back Social Security payments, illegal immigrants are eligible for in-state college tuition. Jay is a little flustered in his rebuttal. “It’s a lack of leadership on (Santorum’s) part.” He’s arguing about tough penalities for employers, etc, but never explained Casey’s reasoning for his amnesty position.
Reiff gets another “Santorum is for amnesty” line in before the next call starts.
Malpractice: Caller asks about Karen Santorum suing for $400K before Rick tried to cap a malpractice bill? Brabender says that a cap on malpractice doesn’t limit the ability to sue.
Caller, “What has Santorum done for me in 15 years? Nothing. Medicare Part D? It’s a win for the pharms. Why don’t Republican define what winning the war means? Why only negative ads from Santorum.”
Branbender said that Santorum has run 15 (i think) positive ads, one contrast ad. Casey has run positive ads for one day. Quotes the 2002 negative ad press.
Reiff goes back to malpractice. “Do as I say, don’t do as I do… residency, malpractice, that’s his pattern.”
“Santorum has been a Senate leader while things have been going down the tubes.” Mentions change and fresh approaches…. but doesn’t outline them.
Pay Raise: Caller “of course millionaires get bigger refunds on tax cuts… they pay more!” …. “why did Casey sign on, but never object to it?”
Reiff, within a few weeks of passage, Casey stood up. “Santorum was making up an issue on Meet the Press.” Casey was doing his job signing the checks. “Should Casey have broken the law?”
Branbender… “Casey signed 5000 checks before he decided it was unconstitutional.” A lot of crosstalk here on the facts… especially over the Tribune-Review op-ed that called for his resignation. Brabender says the Treasurer should return half his salary for not showing up. Reiff goes back to the “simple yes/no question… should Casey have broken the law?” Moderator breaks it up.
Tort-reform: Caller says Brabender is a liar on the malpractice issue. … and no one would call Casey a liberal. It must be in the Republican play book.
Reiff… same old deal with Republicans.
Brabender… look who supports Casey, Howard Dean, Barbara Boxer, Soros, MoveOn.org. Reiff answers saying, “Give me a break, that’s ridiculous.”
Reiff… “Santorum is a rubber stamp…. and votes with Trent Lott, a right-winger from Mississippi more than with Specter.” (is that a bad thing?) He threw in Mississippi there for some reason. What’s he getting at?
School district issue: Caller: Cyberschools aren’t covered by No Child Left behind.
Brabender defends Santorum’s residency based on the tax bills. Reiff is unable to answer if Catholic schools for the Casey kids are considered public school or private school. Reiff asks why Pa tax payers should pay for Santorum’s kids’ cyberschool.
That ended it. Brabender’s face hasn’t changed from before, but now Jay Reiff’s face is bright red.
Post Game
Who won? I’m definately the big loser. I tape delay live blogged a show between two campaign functionaries.
It’s obvious that the Casey supporters statewide didn’t get the message, or really didn’t feel like turning out for the show. On the other hand, I didn’t see any messages from the Santorum campaign about it, so it must not have gone out either. Obviously a lot more Republican / conservative types watch PCN on a tuesday night.
Not much new in terms of policy or ideas from either side.
Santorum and Brabender have their material solidly down. They could work on better bumpersticker/soundbite answers on residency and malpractice, though. The answers don’t lend themselves to a talking head format. At least not yet.
Casey and Reiff have their talking points and evasive tactics down pat. Spending your time bashing Santorum on a question to Casey and about Casey is tiresome, and most of all, vacuous. Eventually the voters will realize that.
Reiff’s answer on cutting programs wasn’t as bad as his boss’s “answer” on Social Security insolvency, not because he hemmed and hawwed and shimmied uncomfortably on the answer. He plain didn’t answer it… he outright ignored it, other than using the number three.
Actually, I take that back. It was worse.
Worse because the caller wanted specific programs to cut and Jay Reiff answered something to the effect of “Gladly, I’ll be happy to.” Then he proceeded to completely ignore the question… and propose to raise taxes. Though he did get “three of something,” so I give him very slight partial credit for that answer.
At least this time it wasn’t Santorum vs Russert.
The senator said he has been working on finding alternative energy sources, like converting coal into low-sulfur jet fuel for military planes. “This, I believe, is a great potential for us — to take this coal that is sitting in the ground, combine it with things like, believe it or not, garbage, and turn it into fuel.”
Santorum also called for a relaxation of environmental restrictions to allow additional oil drilling in Alaska.
Santorum said that although he is concerned about high gas prices because they impact people’s quality of life and their attitude about life, the country has a bigger issue. “And that is,” he said, “that we are funding our enemy.” He said the U.S. gives $70 to $75 for a barrel of oil to countries that are “killing our people.”
I’ve come to the conclusion that Democrats simply don’t stand for anything outside of bashing big business.
Now some are calling for Congressional investigations. Congressman John Dingell, the House Energy and Commerce Committee top Democrat.
Congress is now out for its month-long summer recess, and any hearings on the shutdown would not take place until lawmakers return in early September.
These Democrats are the same ones that argue that ANWR’s additional oil production will only be a drop in the bucket.
Especially when the Energy Information Administrations thinks that there might be anywhere from 600,000 to 1.9 Million bbls per day available from ANWR.
Either an additional 1,000,000 bbls is important to our nation, or 400,000 isn’t…. and based on the doomsday rhetoric from the media regarding the Prudhoe Bay shutdown, it sounds like it is.
Just the other day, Bobby Casey said that there’s a “small amount of oil” in ANWR. I wonder if he’s saying “small amount” out of ignorance, political opportunity.