Posted on 12/14/2010 3:26:01 PM PST by grace522
You would think that with Pennsylvania’s Republican roots, which have run especially deep over the last several decades, freshman Democratic senator Bob Casey would be vulnerable in 2012.
You would be wrong, and the reason is simple civics. Incumbents don’t lose unless they’re challenged by viable, first-tier candidates, as the Senate elections in Nevada and Alaska proved. And, as of now, there are none to challenge Casey. Whether that changes in the next year is anyone’s guess, but the mere fact that the GOP finds itself in this position speaks volumes about how it builds its “bench.” Translation: it doesn’t.
*****
Pennsylvania’s Republican power was on full display when Ronald Reagan chose three cabinet officials not just from the same state, but the same county! Montgomery County produced Drew Lewis (who fired the striking air traffic controllers), Alexander Haig, and Richard Schweiker. Since then, it’s been all downhill for the Montco GOP, with infighting and strife resulting in minority status in the state’s third largest county.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.phillymag.com ...
We've also had some significant demographic changes in Montco. The population of upscale liberals has grown quite a bit in recent years. I think the Montco GOP has shed quite a bit of its complacency recently. It's not an easy county for us. Plenty of work to be done.
I had occasion to speak with Sen Casey while in DC at one of our 2009 protests. I found it rather disturbing. He repeated talking points and platitudes and would not engage in anything resembling conversation. To his credit, he can speak in complete sentences without using a teleprompter, but he doesn't come across as having any independent thoughts or forming conclusions based on any sort of analysis. He had nice shiny shoes and a nice suit though . . . he looked the part.
Pro-lifers need to check out Casey’s “pro-life” record. Not so great for someone who claims to be pro-life.
Like many writers he is given to sensationalize some issues and also tends to be too negative.
However, he is correct. Unseating Casey will not prove easy, as conservatives who voted for Santorum against Casey (despite their anger with him) warned, and will likely require a first tier candidate.
Unfortunately, the two examples you gave to disprove Mr. Friend's point, aren't persuasive.
Conservatives helped Casey beat Santorum. Had Casey ran as a pro-choicer instead of a pro-lifer, Santorum would in all probability, be in office today. Specter horribly weakened his own strength by his change of party and his challenger Sestak WAS a viable, first-tier candidate.
During a recent panel discussion, Tea Party organizers unanimously agreed, the Republican Party would have won without the Tea Party, but the win wouldn't have been as big, a fairer and more accurate assessment.
Casey’s vote FOR Obamacare, is one of the “blotches” on his pro-life record and one of the many negative consequences of conservative support for his candidacy over Santorum’s. It is unlikely, most of those conservatives, would ever admit to to their error.
I notice that whenever he travels in the Commonwealth, his handlers are careful to ensure that he doesn't interact with average citizens, at least beyond the photo-ops and superficial pleasantries.
I'd be surprised if it was any different in DC. For all Specter's faults, I do give him credit for not being afraid of his constituents.
Toomey may have been one of the losses incurred without the Tea Party and John Runyan, in NJ, may have been another.
Another point to consider regarding the power of the Tea Party, is most of the "Tea Party" candidates supported by most Tea Party groups across the country, lost in the primary. That should change as the movement becomes more politically mature.
It's important to avoid over or under-estimating the Tea Party influence, in order to set more realistic goals, and operate more effectively, IMHO.
I was in DC for a rally - I think it was 11/5/09. Many of us set off individually or in small groups to find our legislators to talk to them about their votes on Obamacare. Sen. Casey managed not to be in his office when citizens came calling. However, he was spotted walking outside and several of us took the opportunity to speak with him. He didn't have any "handlers" with him. There were about 12-15 people who had the opportunity to speak with him like this, of which a handful spoke up individually. I was able to look him in the eye and hold his attention for about 5 minutes before he found something compelling that needed his attention - perhaps lunch.
Several of us spoke up for the unborn, and I related to him some of my family's experiences with tyranny in the former Eastern Bloc. He couldn't or wouldn't see the connection between the massive statism he supports and the loss of freedom that results.
I tend to agree, based on what I saw in my own township. Bear in mind that Tea Party folks have been joining the ranks of local GOP committees, trying to work from within . . .
There was a joke going around on our local talk show shortly after Casey, Jr. endorsed Obama that maybe Obama could find Osama Bin Laden now that he found Bob Casey, Jr.
Congressman Lou Barletta!
Remember the cardinal rule of the left when it needs to oppose something they simply infiltrate it and take it over. The left long ago started to infiltrate the GOP as they have every other institution. We simply have to infiltrate it back and throw whoever is in charge right now out. As a matter of fact we should be doing the same to the democrats. Infiltrate their party and take it down from within.
“Congressman Lou Barletta!”
I’ll second that Palladin. I think he’d clean Casey’s clock.
Let’s not let them infiltrate the tea party.
Casey, Bob Casey, I seem to recall the name.... Yeah, the guy that recently introduced legislation to confiscate our 401K’s, IRA’s and 503’s. Other than that I think he has been AWOL.
I don’t know Tim Murphy but I trust YOU PM.
Santorum is an actor, and no RR.
Don’t forget Allen West and Renee Ellmers!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.