Will Democrats get the Pennsylvania Senate seat from Rick Santorum?

Written by Chatty Kathy

Friday, 20 October 2006

Will Democrats get the Pennsylvania Senate seat from Rick Santorum? After spending most of his current term following the traditional agenda, voting with Bush 98% of the time, Senator Rick Santorum (REP) is trying to make up ground in this election year in Pennsylvania. The fact that Democrats generally get lesser votes and the fact that Santorum is out of touch with Pennsylvanians makes this race a major Democratic target in 2006. Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (DEM), son of late Governor Robert P. Casey, is challenging Santorum in the election this year.

Casey won his state-wide office position three times. In his most recent election in 2004 for state treasurer, Casey won more votes than any other candidate for any state or federal office in the history of PA. Although Santorum has always been opposed to stem cell research, he is now flip-flopping on the issue and has joined Senator Arlen Specter in calling for federal funding of research. In other news, with high gas prices, Pennsylvanians should question where Santorum’s loyalties lie given that Santorum is the third highest recipient of campaign contributions from the oil and gas industries, taking in over $100,000. Santorum’s response to alleviate consumer’s pain at the pumps was to give $100 rebate checks; the idea was resoundingly ridiculed and ultimately disregarded. Finally, Santorum has been taking criticism for his heading the Republicans’ lobbying reform effort despite his close ties to lobbyists involved in the GOP K Street Project.

Political Betting Odds and 2006 Senate Betting at Bodog.com

Bodog.com posts odds on who will win the November 7th, 2006 senate election for the state of Pennsylvania: Rick Santorum (REP), Bob Casey Jr. (DEM) or Field (Any Other Candidate)?

Rick Santorum (REP): 3/1

Bob Casey Jr. (DEM): 2/13

Field (Any Other Candidate): 35/1

Casey has led in every public poll, usually by double digits, and continues his strong fundraising with more than $5 million on hand at the end of June and nearly $11 million raised. With each day that passes Casey pulls further and further ahead towards victory. During the most recent debate held live on air with local radio station WKYW in Philadelphia, Santorum continued to attack Casey over the fact that he failed to show up to work quite often as a state treasurer. Casey struck back by calling Santorum “denigrating” and “dividing the country with his approach to leadership”. The two candidates also disagreed over how to treat the situation with nuclear weapons in North Korea and Iran. They also disagreed on the availability of a “morning after” pill and discussed their opinions on the wiretapping of telephone conversations for national security and improving school safety.

Casey has had a decent comeback remark after every one of Santorum’s jabs. Many are unhappy with Santorum’s run over the past 2 terms he served. Because the polls are proving Casey to be ahead by a large margin, I believe he will be Pennsylvania’s next Senator.

Political Betting Odds and 2006 Senate Betting at Bodog.com