Obviously, we all want Santorum to lose in '06, but there is new reason for concern about Bob Casey. According to Penn Live.com,
Casey is endorsing confirmation of Sam Alito:
Robert P. Casey Jr. might have turned the Democratic base against him when he announced yesterday that he supports confirming Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.
After refusing to say whether he would support Alito, Casey's decision puts him at odds with abortion-rights advocates, a group whose support is seen as critical to his campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.
Now, Casey isn't currently a U.S. senator, so I suppose we shouldn't read too much into this; however, this development certainly puts him in the class of rubber stamper if / when Bush lands an opportunity to appoint another justice. And it likely means that a Republican will have a reliable confirmation vote in future battles over the lower courts.
The amount of synch between Casey and Santorum on fundamental matters is becoming quite alarming. Clearly, the progressive base feels abandoned in Pennsylvannia:
"It's very disturbing and should worry, I think, Pennsylvania women and civil rights advocates and people concerned about unchecked executive power to wiretap and eavesdrop on Americans," said Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
The Casey camp may be trying to neutralize an issue by falling in line with Santorum, but as we've seen in the past, that can often be portrayed as weakness. And according to the story:
Republicans responded with glee and attacks on what Santorum's campaign called Casey's lack of leadership.
In the end, if this is the kind of Democrat the people of Pennsylvannia prefer, then so be it - that's the way the system works. And after all, Governor Rendell has likewise signed off on Alito.
But I'm troubled by the fact that the whole process of elevating Casey has been less than open and free. I'm troubled that the national party machinery has essentially pre-determined that Casey is the proper tactical pick.
I can't help but think the people of Pennsylvannia want more of a choice in '06.