I just love to observe politics. On a typical Sunday morning, I usually watch "Meet the Press" at 10, and then at 11 I flip over to NASCAR on the Speed Channel. Strange bedfellows indeed, but that's nothing unusual for me. I voted for George W. Bush, twice in fact..... Mr. Conservative, that's me.... But I can also count Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, and Ozzy Osbourne among the live acts that I've seen during his Presidency. I guess that's an entirely different story, for an entirely different blog.
So where was I? Oh yeah, the point of this blog.... the debate.
I just watched Rick Santorum and Bob Casey Jr. square off in their first debate. Adding to the drama was that the debate was in front of a National audience on "Meet the Press" and moderated by the ultra-savvy Tim Russert. Gear up folks, because if this debate was any indication, what we saw today was merely round 1 in what is sure to be a bare knuckle fist fight for 15 hard fought rounds.
Honestly, you can forget about the Governors race, apologies to the Swann folks.... but it's over, and deep down they have to know it.
But our little Senate race here in the Commonwealth is already drawing huge National attention, and I suspect that so far it is nothing compared to what we will see in the coming weeks.
Santorum is a deeply entrenched incumbent, and the number three man in the U.S. Senate. Whether or not you agree with where he stands on the issues, the guy is tenured and has a lot of power within the halls of Congress. Power that only comes with time spent in Washington. More importantly, it's the kind of power that has delivered a huge amount of Federal dollars to Pennsylvania. Federal dollars that the Commonwealth desperately needs.
Don't believe me? Well, just ask our Democratic Governor... and I quote,
“Rick Santorum has proven that he gets the job done. Time and time again he has come through”
“I will eventually campaign with Casey. But, no, you won’t see me attack Santorum. I work well with him … . When it comes to Pennsylvania, Santorum delivers.”
- Ed Rendell, August 2006
Oops.
The Casey folks have been practicing the art of damage control since that statement was made. For me, all of this just adds to the intrigue.
Throw in the fact that there have been whispers in some Republican circles that Santorum may even some day be Presidential material and you have a very interesting fight brewing.
Santorum is by his own admission a staunch conservative. He is just about as far to the right as the right goes. And as the Casey campaign is quick to point out, he's been a tremendous ally to the President by helping to push forward Mr. Bush's agenda.
The bottom line is that in the political world, Rick Santorum is a heavyweight, a heavyweight that the Democrats are salivating over taking down. It's doable, and the Democrats know it.
It's amazing to me just how bitter the political climate in this country has become, and that's why this race is going to keep getting so much National attention. Did you ever think that you would live to see the day where showing a picture of a United States Senator sitting with the President of the United States could be skillfully used as part of a negative campaign ad? The Casey campaign is doing that, and given the current job approval ratings for the President, in my estimation it is a smart political move.
This is a mid-term election and one that is going to be seen by many not just in Pennsylvania, but across the country as a referendum on the war in Iraq, the President, and in a broader sense, the Republican party as a whole. A party and an administration that in my opinion does have several things to answer for before I hand them another one of my votes. Personally, right now this registered Republican is undecided between Santorum and Casey, and in my mind I'm already building cases for both candidates.
It's the kind of thing that as a political observer I just love to sit back and watch unfold, the fact that it is all taking place right here is Pennsylvania makes it all the more interesting.
In my opinion, score round 1 for Casey. While the debate was civil, it was also extremely heated at times. But that was nothing, like two skilled boxers they were just feeling each other out.
On November 7th we will all have the opportunity in this great democracy to go to the polls and decide the ultimate winner. But for me, just getting there will be half the fun.
