It's official: Casey is running!

[Jake]

This will be a fight for one reason. Santorum most likely will not drop out and retire.  He will fight this one out to the end, and most likely be defeated, but not before they unleash a massive smear campaign on each other.  This will be all about the Liberal Democrat vote, and whether they will bother to come out and vote in Philly.  If they come out, Casey has it in the bag, if not, Santorum can still win this race.  It ain't over.

[Jake]

Question for PA residents.  Is Casey a good public speaker and debater?  Will he be able to keep up with the charismatic senate veteran like Santorum?

I went to a Casey town hall this past year, and he was uninspiring.  While Hoeffel was interesting to hear, and Specter was average at best, Casey was boring, montonous, and just wasn't polished as a speaker. 

[Jake]

Question for PA residents.  Is Casey a good public speaker and debater?  Will he be able to keep up with the charismatic senate veteran like Santorum?

I went to a Casey town hall this past year, and he was uninspiring.  While Hoeffel was interesting to hear, and Specter was average at best, Casey was boring, montonous, and just wasn't polished as a speaker. 

Santorum really needs to do well in the debates to swing this thing. Unfortunately, that still might not be enough. 

If I were Santorum, I'd offer Casey that option of doing a series of Lincoln/Douglas style debates across PA.  Something like mini-debates in the key stops just to see if he'd agree.  It'd be a great way to use Santorum's main asset.

[Jake]

This will actually be a much funner race to watch without a pitiful Democratic candidate, and no matter the result, PA still wins, to a degree.

[Jake]

i would support most any democrat over santorum.

but the term 'populist democrat' is just another word for 'idiot' in my opinion.

this casey guy sounds like a paint-chipper.

This would be a horrible race for you, I can't imagine who you'd vote for. Casey is an economic liberal, very pro-union, pro-life and pro-death penalty. He is pro-gay rights however, which I found interesting.

i cant support either of these candidates.

any normal people in pennsylvania?

Ken Krawchuk

[Jake]

I just had a discussion with my mother about this.  She said Barb Hafer was "a good lady". 

[Jake]

Maybe your parents aren't as extreme as you are.

most likely you're correct.  Young people tend to be more extreme than older people.

[Jake]

“Pennsylvanians have seen first-hand the devastating effects of unfair federal trade policies that are causing us to hemorrhage jobs and of rising health care costs that are squeezing family budgets and destroying the ability of our businesses to make a profit and hire new workers.”

This isnt gonna' work.  Didnt Santorum vote against NAFTA and GATT?

Stuff like this won't really matter.  If Casey wins it will be on name and experience, not anti-free trade, not education, not health care.

[Jake]

“Pennsylvanians have seen first-hand the devastating effects of unfair federal trade policies that are causing us to hemorrhage jobs and of rising health care costs that are squeezing family budgets and destroying the ability of our businesses to make a profit and hire new workers.”

This isnt gonna' work.  Didnt Santorum vote against NAFTA and GATT?

Stuff like this won't really matter.  If Casey wins it will be on name and experience, not anti-free trade, not education, not health care.

So issues wont matter?  If Santorum did vote for these agreements and job's were lost or at least perceived to be lost because of these agreements it could hurt or help.

They'll matter, but Santorum won't lose the race due to issues.  He'll lose due to Casey having the name recognition of a 20 year incumbent.