SantorumBlog

Kathryn Jean Lopez notices that Bobby Casey’s press release webpage hasn’t been updated since August.

I think they’ve declared victory in all the debates. But that was on their blog.

Santorum Press Release

Billions of state workers’ pension fund dollars are being invested in companies who do business in states sponsoring terrorism and genocide, but instead of taking responsibility as State Treasurer, Bob Casey, Jr. plays the blame game.

“Maybe if he weren’t so busy skipping work and dodging issues on the campaign trail, Casey would be able do the job Pennsylvanians’ pay him a six-figure taxpayer-funded salary to do,” said Santorum 2006 campaign manager Vince Galko. “Passing blame for his neglect is par for the course for someone who thinks his name alone guarantees him a seat in the U.S. Senate.”

Casey Complains He Has Too Much “Homework” To Do On Companies Doing Business With States Supporting Terror And Genocide

Casey Spokesman Larry Smar Plays The Blame Game, Saying The Federal Government Should Make It “A Lot Easier” On State Treasurers If They Released A List “Instead Of Making Each State Do Homework” On Terrorist Financing. “Casey has called on investment managers to assess whether any companies in their holdings have business in terrorist-sponsoring countries, Smar said. The issue is one facing treasurers across the country. ‘Instead of making each state do homework, perhaps the federal government could make it a lot easier’ by releasing a list of companies involved with terrorist nations, Smar said.” (Dan Nephin, “Santorum: Pension Investments Under Casey Linked To Terrorism,” The Associated Press, October 30, 2006)

It Took Casey Twenty Months As Treasurer To Take Any Action At All

According To Smar, Casey Only Ordered Scrutiny Of Treasury Holdings In September -Twenty Months After Being Sworn In As State Treasurer. “Mr. Smar said that the Democrat had directed investment managers in September to scrutinize the treasury’s holdings for any ties to certain nations, including Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Sudan.” (James O’Toole, “Santorum Charges Casey With Abetting Terrorism,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 30, 2006)

Maybe If Casey Weren’t So Busy Seeking A New Job He Could Have Done The One The People Of Pennsylvania Elected Him To Do

Just Two Months After Being Sworn In As Pennsylvania’s New State Treasurer, Casey Jr. Announced His Intention To Run For U.S. Senate. (”Casey Plans Run For Democratic U.S. Senate Nod,” Centre Daily Times, March 4, 2005)

ü And Casey Jr. Had His Senate Campaign Website Up And Running Before His Treasurer’s Website. (Amy Worden and Thomas Fitzgerald, “GOP Questions Casey’s Priorities,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 9, 2005)

Casey Went Into The Office On Just Five Days In September Of 2005.(Carrie Budoff, “For Santorum And Casey, Fund-Raising Is Constant,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 13, 2006)

“In December, State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. Went Into The Office Just Seven Days.” (Carrie Budoff, “For Santorum And Casey, Fund-Raising Is Constant,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 13, 2006)

The Associated Press: “During His First Year As A Candidate For U.S. Senate, State Treasurer Bob Casey Spent Half Of His Work Days Away From The Office, According To An Analysis Of Records Provided By His Campaign.” (Peter Jackson, “Santorum Hits Casey Over Time Spent Away From Office,” The Associated Press, March 30, 2006)

Santorum Press Release

At a news conference today, Senator Rick Santorum and former Lehigh Valley Congressman Pat Toomey joined together to urge Bob Casey Jr. to put an end to his campaign of hypocrisy, particularly on the issue of outsourcing.

During the October 12th debate on KDKA-TV, Bob Casey Jr. demonstrated blatant hypocrisy on the issue of outsourcing. Casey openly acknowledged that he supports the outsourcing of Pennsylvania jobs, because he sits on the Pennsylvania Public School Employee Retirement System’s (PSERS) Board and the State Employee Retirement System’s (SERS) Board. Together, more than $10 billion of these pension funds are invested in companies that send jobs overseas.

And when asked by Senator Santorum at the debate if Casey knew just how much of the pensions that were invested in outsourcing companies, he was clueless. His answer verbatim was, “I don’t know that number.” These are the very companies that are on both the AFL-CIO and Lou Dobbs’ list of the most notorious outsourcers, yet Casey didn’t know about them.

Casey, Jr. talks tough on outsourcing even going so far by saying that he’ll ‘oppose any trade law that sends American jobs overseas’ in a recent campaign commercial,’ but how can that be when he supports investing in companies that promote the very concept that he is campaigning against?

“Plain and simple, this is an issue of hypocrisy, because Bob Casey Jr. says one thing and does another. If Casey thinks that outsourcing jobs overseas is so terrible, then why would he actively support the investment of pension funds in these very companies? Maybe if Bob Casey showed up for work more, he would know this,” said Pat Toomey, former Lehigh Valley Congressman. “If Bob Casey is asleep at the switch at his current job, how can we expect him to fight for Pennsylvania as a U.S. Senator?”

“What’s more is that Bob Casey is now stalling to release where the Pennsylvania Treasury invests its money. Surely the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a third quarter report that details their investments — stocks and bonds - that is readily available. Even a mutual fund details this information. There is a reason Casey is hiding the information, because the very agency that he oversees is investing our taxpayer dollars in companies that send jobs overseas. Casey needs to come clean and release this information,” said Senator Rick Santorum.

Click here to view correspondence between Vince Galko, campaign manager for Santorum 2006 and Treasury Department: www.RickSantorum.com/Media/PDF/Press/2006-10-18.pdf. The letter dated October 18 details that they are stalling on releasing the Treasury Department’s holdings.

As a PA Taxpayer, I’d like to know where that money’s at. Nevermind the political implications.

Save101.com Press Release

Save101.com is celebrating 10 years of tax free MSA and HSA enrollments and customer service. January 1, 2007 the Medicare program will offer Medical Savings Accounts as a new option for American seniors. Medicare’s MSA option begins 10 years to the day after the original MSA Effective Date of January 1, 1997.

Tampa Bay, FL, October 19, 2006 –(PR.COM)– Insurance Processing Corporation (IPC) is proud to announce 10 years of Tax Free HSA customer service. Ten years ago this month IPC Federal Expressed the first qualified Medical Savings Account (MSA) application in the United States. Things have changed since October 1996. Today, tax free HSA insurance clients are enrolled electronically. HSAs are high tech, online and consumer friendly.

Ron Greiner, Director of Market and Agent Development, was on the 34th floor of the 7-Eleven tower in Dallas ten years ago this month armed with tax free MSA solutions from Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) as an MSA sales aid. Ron reports, “I explained to the head 7-Eleven executive that Hillary Clinton says the MSA is a tax dodge for the healthy and wealthy. He laughed and said that Jay Leno has never confused the 7-Eleven employees as being considered rich!”

As a part of President Bush’s Ownership Society, the Original Pilot Test of MSAs became a permanent change to the IRS tax code as HSAs [Health Savings Accounts] and became available to all Americans under the age of 65 on January, 1st 2004. The President said, “HSAs have tax free deposits, growth and withdrawals.” Everybody knows that money that is never taxed will last longer in retirement.

Democrats are united in their opposition to the tax free HSA. Democrat Robert Casey Jr., running for US Senate in Pennsylvania, said HSAs don’t work. Fiscal conservatives and others working on a real solution to our healthcare crisis would disagree. America’s oldest health insurance company reported that 44% of all HSA enrollments in 2005 had no previous health insurance. 61% of all HSA enrollees were families with children. These families are enjoying the security of permanent portable health insurance. Not insurance rented from an employer. There is no payroll tax on employer HSA deposits. It’s compensation without taxation. It’s smart when employers and employees work together to cut the IRS out. Individual deposits are an above the line deduction on the IRS 1040.

In Ames Iowa, at his first presidential campaign debate, George W. Bush began his remarks by saying, “I believe in more choices, more options, more freedom in Medicare, including Medical Savings Accounts.” Mission Accomplished! January 1, 2007 seniors will have an MSA option in Medicare. Now Americans arriving at Medicare with or without their own HSA balance will continue to receive deposit into their MSA from Medicare. This is a big change to America’s largest entitlement and is a great step in correcting Medicare’s insolvency. Seniors as consumers choosing where and when to spend their healthcare dollars, brings competition to this huge marketplace and requires transparency and excellence from the providers that serve them.

IPC’s internet presence is Save101.com. They specialize in helping the Self Employed save. Medical underwriting is required. Save101.com serves clients under the age of 65 in the states of FL, NV, NE, IA, IL, MI, OH, KY, PA, LA, IN, and WI.

Save premium, eliminate taxes, build wealth. Switch to America’s oldest health insurance company at Save101.com. The best tax cut is no taxes and it’s TIME for your HSA.

Mr. Greiner is also an author at Swannblog.com in support of Republican Lynn Swann for Governor of Pennsylvania. It’s TIME for a change. Swannblog is a product of Redstate.

Santorum campaign press release.

Pittsburgh, PA - Tomorrow, Senator Rick Santorum and Bob Casey Jr. will meet for their second debate at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

“Perhaps Bob Casey will shed some light on his position on Social Security, his support of amnesty for illegal immigrants, and his position on the war in Iraq. But if the last debate is any indicator, he’ll go to great lengths to avoid giving straight answers. We thought this handy guidebook would provide members of the press and voters useful tips ahead of Casey’s performance in tomorrow’s debate,” said Vince Galko, campaign manager for Santorum 2006.

Voters Guide to Watching Bob Casey Debate:

ON AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS:
Bob Casey will say he opposes amnesty for illegal immigrations, but Casey said he would have voted for the Senate’s Immigration Bill. This same bill also would provide Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.

Bob Casey, Jr. Supported The Senate-Passed Immigration Bill, Saying It “Contains Important Reforms.” Casey, Jr.: “If I were in the Senate, I would have voted for [the Senate immigration bill] because it is long past time to take action, and this bill contains important reforms.’” (James O’Toole, “Senate Rivals At Odds Over Immigration Policy,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 27, 2006)

“The Senate’s “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act Of 2006″ (S. 2611) Would Allow Most Of The Millions Of Illegal Immigrants Who Have Broken U.S. Immigration Laws To Remain In The United States. That Is Amnesty. And Amnesty Will Only Encourage Further Law Breaking.” (James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., “The Spanish Trap: More Evidence On Pitfalls Of Senate Immigration Amnesty Proposal,” Heritage Foundation Web Memo #1106, June 5, 2006)

The Immigration Bill Bob Casey, Jr. Supports “[G]rants Amnesty To The Estimated 11 Million Illegal Aliens Already In The Country.” (Editorial, “The Senate’s Amnesty Pill,” The Washington Times, May 27, 2006)

The Senate Immigration Bill That Casey, Jr. Supports Provides Social Security For Illegal Immigrants, Even If Their Job “Was Obtained Through Forged Or Stolen Documents.” (Charles Hurt, “Illegals Granted Social Security,” The Washington Times, May 19, 2006)

ON SOCIAL SECURITY
Bob Casey will claim that there is no Social Security crisis, and he will only offer criticisms and hollow platitudes about what to do about it.

August 2005: Casey Jr. “Studiously Avoided Offering An Alternative Plan” For Social Security. (Jeff Miller, “Casey Climbs Stump At Pair Of Picnics,” The Morning Call, August 21, 2005)

November 2005: “Mr. Casey Said He Expects Social Security Reform Will Be A Major Issue Next Year, But Does Not Offer Specific Reforms.” (Borys Krawczeniuk, “Clash Of Titans Shaping Up,” [Scranton] Times-Tribune, November 20, 2005)

January 2006: “Casey Does Not Offer A Specific Solution [For Social Security Reform].” (”Social Security Looms Large In Senate Race,” The [Scranton] Times-Tribune, January 15, 2006)

August 2006: Casey Has No Real Ideas For Saving Social Security. Q: “You are the treasurer of one of the biggest states in the country. You don’t have a single idea to throw out there?” Casey, Jr.: “No.” (”Casey Embraces His ‘Independent Streak,’” The Washington Times, August 22, 2006)

“Bob Casey Jr. . . . Said In A Debate Yesterday That There Is No ‘Crisis’ Facing Social Security, Which Most Economists Agree Is Headed For Collapse Unless Major Changes Are Made. . . . ‘So [We’ll Have] Double The People On Social Security And Medicare, And Life Expectancy Approaches 80. And The Solution Is “Do Nothing”?’ Moderator Tim Russert Asked.” (Charles Hurt, “Casey And Santorum Mix It Up,” The Washington Times, September 4, 2006)

ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Bob Casey will talk a good game about fiscal responsibility, but he won’t name a single program that he would cut, and he won’t explain what he would do to balance the Federal budget.

“Casey Frequently Called Himself The Fiscally Responsible Candidate, But Was Vague When Asked What Programs He Would Cut To Balance The Federal Budget.” (Kimberly Hefling, “Santorum And Casey Spar Over Iraq, Bush,” The Associated Press, September 4, 2006)

The Washington Post: Casey, Jr. “Would Not Identify Federal Programs He Would Be Willing To Cut.” (Charles Babington, “Santorum Defends President, Iraq War,” The Washington Post, September 4, 2006)

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews Comments On Casey, Jr.’s Unwillingness To Support Cuts To Government Programs: “. . . Tim nailed him. He said name one frigging program you’re willing to cut? Just name one government program? And all Casey could do was name new taxes . . . where did he get that old canard from? That’s about 30 years old, that one.” (Chris Matthews, MSNBC’s “Hardball,” September 6, 2006)

In fact, Casey, Jr. has proposed more than thirty areas of new or increased spending:

Casey Has Announced Support For New Or Additional Spending In More Than 30 Areas. (Carrie Budoff, “Santorum, Casey Make Pitches To Chamber,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 15, 2005; Kimberly Hefling, “Santorum, Casey Stump In Philadelphia,” The Associated Press, October 15, 2005; “Excerpts Of Bob Casey’s Prepared Remarks To The Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce,” Bob Casey For U.S. Senate Website, www.bobcaseyforpa.com, October 14, 2005; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, Press Release, “Casey: Medicare Cuts Must Go,” February 21, 2006; Jeffrey Young, “Casey Supported Healthcare Bill Will Cost Pennsylvanians,” The Hill, April 26, 2006; Carrie Budoff, “Casey’s Clear View On Abortion Could Muddy Campaign Waters,” The Philadelphia Inquirer , December 18, 2005; “Bob Speaks To Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce - Lays Out Economic Plan,” Bob Casey For U.S. Senate Website, www.bobcaseyforpa.com, Accessed October 18, 2005; Bob Casey For U.S. Senate Website, www.bobcaseyforpa.com , Accessed August 30, 2005; Carrie Budoff, “Casey Proposes National Early-Childhood Program,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 18, 2006; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, Press Release, “Santorum-Bush Budget Heaps Pain On Pennsylvania,” February 16, 2006; David Espo, “Immigration Bill Riles Conservatives,” The Philadelphia Inquirer , March 31, 2006; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, Press Release, “Casey Statement Supporting The PATRIOT Act,” February 10, 2006; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, Release, “Elements Of Bob Casey’s Homeland Security Agenda,” May 11, 2006; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, Press Release, “Santorum-Bush Budget Heaps Pain On Pennsylvania,” February 16, 2006; Bob Casey For Pennsylvania, E-Mail, “Common Ground,” April 27, 2006)

Just Four Of Casey, Jr.’s Spending Proposals Total More Than $300 Billion

Just Four Of The More Than 30 Proposals Casey Supports Total More Than $300 Billion.

1.$126 Billion: Senate Immigration Bill. (Jonathan Weisman, “Cost Of Senate Immigration Bill Put At $126 Billion,” The Washington Post, August 22, 2006)

2.$100 Billion: Kerry S-CHIP Bill. (Sen. John Kerry, Press Release, “John Kerry’s ‘Kids Come First Act,’” January 26, 2005)

3.$73 Billion: Durbin-Lincoln Bill Healthcare Bill. (Senate Republican Policy Committee, “Small Business Health Plans,” August 1, 2006)

4.$8 Billion: Pre-Kindergarten Programs. (Carrie Budoff, “Casey Proposes National Early-Childhood Program,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 18, 2006)

ON PAY RAISES:
Casey will criticize Senator Santorum for voting for three cost-of-living-adjustments over the past 16 years, but Casey won’t address the fact that he signed thousands of pay raise checks for state legislators, something that he now calls unconstitutional:

Tribune Review: “The only honorable thing to do is for Casey to resign and end his quest for higher office.” “Bobby Casey just cooked his own political goose…the commonwealth’s highest-ranking fiscal officer, Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., has admitted to participating in a scheme that even he considers to have been illegal, in clear violation of the Pennsylvania Constitution and his oath of office… The only honorable thing to do is for Casey to resign and end his quest for higher office.” (Editorial, “The treasurer’s admission: Resign, Mr. Casey,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review, March 9, 2006)

An Op-Ed Criticized Casey’s Seeming Political Opportunism In Opposing The Pay Raise When He Did Nothing About It For Months. “Casey’s office sent a seemingly harmless news release last week titled ‘Casey sides with taxpayers in pay raise lawsuit.’ . . . The news release inadvertently raised questions about Casey that apparently he had not anticipated. We spoke by telephone on Wednesday. His ‘well-documented public opposition to the legislative pay raise’ consists of that news release and one in October (three months after the pay-jacking was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell) and a newspaper story in which Casey said he opposed the raise. He could not name another instance. Even when prompted. Casey did not speak about the pay-jacking with Mr. Rendell, the ringleaders in the Legislature or state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph Cappy, who helped cook up the scheme. Casey, who has a law degree, did not file a lawsuit regarding the pay-jacking. Why? ‘I am not sure what you could do,’ he said. ‘I did not look into it.’ The issue is not even mentioned on the Casey campaign Web site or the state Treasury’s, other than the news releases. This is his ‘well-document public opposition’?” (Dimitri Vassilaros, Op-Ed, “The Real Bob Casey,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review, March 12, 2006)

And Casey’s $134,000 Salary As Treasurer Is The Result Of A Pay-Raise That Included An Unvouchered Expenses Provision. “Casey’s current $134,000 salary stems from a 1995 law that raised the treasurer and auditor general’s salaries from $84,000 to $104,000. The law also provided annual cost-of-living increases that have boosted the compensation to the $134,000 level. Casey was elected auditor general in 1996 and served two four-year terms before being elected treasurer, so he benefited from that law. But guess what else the legislation did. It allowed state lawmakers to collect their pay raises early as unvouchered expenses. ‘Casey has not hesitated to claim the enhanced salaries, first as auditor general and now as treasurer, that are available as a result of (that law),’ states MacNett. MacNett also said there is nothing in Casey’s legal brief indicating he is returning to state taxpayers any pay he earned in excess of the $84,000 salary.” (Editorial, “For Bobby Casey, A Caustic Dose Of History,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 19, 2006)

Casey, Jr.’s Salary Has Increased More Than $27,000 In Less Than Ten Years, And “He Has Never Rejected A Raise.” Casey, Jr. “had a salary of $107,016 when he first took office as auditor general, according to the state Office of Administration. His salary this year is $134,096, a difference of $27,080, or 25.3 percent. That averages out to about 2.8 percent a year. The increases are also cost-of-living adjustments, based on the same 1995 law that covers state legislators. He has never rejected a raise.” (Borys Krawczeniuk, “Pay Raise’s Ripple Effect Reaches Race For Senate,” Scranton Times Tribune , September 14, 2006)

ON IRAQ:
Bob Casey, Jr. will be vague and inconsistent about his position on Iraq.

In September, It Took Tim Russert Asking Bob Casey, Jr. FOUR TIMES Whether He Would Have Voted For The War In Iraq Knowing What He Knows Today For Casey, Jr. To Answer. (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” September 3, 2006)

Casey, Jr. Has Avoided Taking A Strong, Clear Stance On Iraq Since Announcing His Senate Campaign:

August 2006: “Casey Refuses To Say Whether He Would Have Voted For Or Against The Senate Resolution To Go To War In Iraq.” (Charles, Hurt, “Casey Touts Independence But Shuns Tough Issues,” The Washington Times, August 22, 2006)
July 2006: Casey, Jr. “Again Stopped Short Of Saying How He Would Have Voted On The Resolution That Authorized The [Iraq] War,” And Gave “An Oblique Response To A Question About [Iraq].” (Jerome L. Sherman and James O’Toole, “Casey, Santorum Duel On Support Of Veterans,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 15, 2006)
May 2006: Casey, Jr. “Has Not Offered A Clear Alternative” On Iraq. (James O’Toole, “Senate Rivals At Odds Over Immigration Policy,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 27, 2006)
August 2005: “[Casey Jr.] Has Declined To Sketch An Alternative Strategy For Iraq.” (Thomas Fitzgerald, “Santorum’s Doubts On War Documented,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 30, 2005)
March 2005: Casey, Jr. Declined To Be “Drawn Out” On Foreign Policy Issues Like The War In Iraq. (James O’Toole and Maeve Reston, “Casey Seeks Santorum’s Seat,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 5, 2005)
Casey, Jr. Flip-Flopped On Whether He Thought The Administration Misled On Iraq:

In October 2005, Casey, Jr. Said, “I Don’t Think We Were Intentionally Misled” On Iraq. (”In Their Own Words: An Interview With Bob Casey, Jr,, Democratic Candidate For U.S. Senate,” The Philadelphia Jewish Voice, October 2005)
But In September 2006, Casey, Jr. Said, “[T]his War Was The War That Shouldn’t Have Been Fought Based Upon The Misleading Of This Administration.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” September 3, 2006)
NBC’s Tim Russert Asked Whether We Need More Troops In Iraq, But Casey, Jr. Ducked And Dodged. (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” September 3, 2006)

Virginia Davis, Rick Santorum’s spokeswoman must chew coffee grounds for breakfast. Here’s the post debate press-release, only minutes after the debate ended.

During their first debate encounter on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ U.S. Senator Rick Santorum was clear and straightforward on his positions on the issues, while Bobby Casey Jr. spent the hour ducking and dodging the issues.

“Rick Santorum’s command of the issues was head and shoulders above Bob Casey’s. On Iraq, on spending and on Social Security, Casey continued his strategy of bob and weave, while Rick Santorum offered honest answers. And even after being asked four times and spending 20 minutes on the issue of Iraq, Pennsylvanians still know very little about what Casey would do on this critical national security issue,” said Vince Galko, campaign manger for Santorum 2006. “And when push came to shove on spending, Casey resorted to calling for increased taxes, a policy that will only stifle economic growth in Pennsylvania. It’s clear that more debates are necessary since Casey continues to evade the issues that matter to Pennsylvanians.”
(more…)