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Bob Casey on Principles & Values

Democratic Sr Senator (PA)

 


Dubbed "Sleeping Bob" for anti-Trump obstructionism

Republican Lou Barletta isn't shying away from his bond with Mr. Trump, who campaigned for him in northeastern Pennsylvania this month. He is criticizing Mr. Casey as an obstructionist, pointing to the incumbent's pledge to block Mr. Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the president even announced his choice of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh.

At the campaign rally this month, Mr. Trump told voters that Mr. Casey has opposed every one of his proposals to toughen immigration policy and border security.

He also came up with a nickname for the low-key Mr. Casey. "Sleeping Bob," Mr. Trump announced to the crowd. "That's it--Sleeping Bob. "I hear that Bob Casey is afraid to debate Lou Barletta," Mr. Trump told the crowd. "Is the president of the United States allowed to come into the debate forum? Is he allowed to sit in the front row watching Lou Barletta destroy Bob Casey? That will be great entertainment." He called Mr. Barletta "a star."

Source: Washington Times on 2018 Pennsylvania Senate race , Aug 20, 2018

Optimistic there will be debates; but won't say so on record

There are no debates scheduled between incumbent Bob Casey and his Republican challenger Tom Smith. Not one.

Sure, everyone understands busy campaign schedules. Pennsylvania is a big state to travel around, and candidates do have to hold a certain number of fundraisers and meet and greets. But no debates?

You have to wonder whether either candidate wants to be accountable and accessible to the public if they will not even take time for a debate. When The Patriot-News Editorial Board reached out to the two campaigns Thursday, their answers were unimpressive.

"The race has been tightening for the past several weeks, and we are optimistic there will be a debate. Should anything be finalized I will let you know," wrote a spokeswoman for Tom Smith's campaign in an email.

Casey's team would not speak on the record, although it, too, expressed optimism there would be a debate. The responses are not reassuring, considering there are only 26 days left before Election Day.

Source: The Patriot-News on 2012 PA Senate debates , Oct 12, 2012

Declined to respond to League of Women Voters questionnaire

Less than four weeks until Election Day, Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate candidates have yet to even agree on the terms of a debate in a low-profile campaign that is being waged largely through TV ads that are costing millions of dollars. In other states, U.S. Senate candidates are already plowing through their debate schedule.

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania said it is trying to arrange two debates between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Tom Smith, but nothing was final Wednesday. The league has even had trouble getting responses from Smith and Casey for its voters' guide, said the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania: "This has been one of the toughest years yet to get information out of people."

Source: Erie Times-News on 2012 PA Senate debates , Oct 11, 2012

Voted with Democratic Party 94.5% of 326 votes.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), was scored by the Washington Post on the percentage of votes on which a lawmaker agrees with the position taken by a majority of his or her party members. The scores do not include missed votes. Their summary:
Voted with Democratic Party 94.5% of 326 votes.
Overall, Democrats voted with their party 88.4% of the time, and Republicans voted with their party 81.7% of the time (votes Jan. 8 through Sept. 8, 2007).
Source: Washington Post, "Congress Votes Database" on 2008 election , Sep 8, 2007

We need an independent voice; not a rubber stamp for Bush

Q: If you review your voting record in support of the president, here it is: In 2005 you were with him 95% of the time, 100% of the time in ‘04, 99% in ‘03, 96% in ‘02, 97% in ‘01. George Bush and Rick Santorum have governed very much in lock-step.

SANTORUM: Absolutely. I agree with the president a vast majority of the time. When I agree with him, I say it. And when I don’t agree with him, I say it, too.

CASEY: I think what the people of Pennsylvania expect and deserve is someone who’s going to be truly independent. Being a rubber stamp for the president is not in the best interest of the people of America.

Q: But have the Democrats sometimes been obstructionist, & opposed everything that Bush proposed?

CASEY: I’m sure they have. But when you have two politicians that agree 98% of the time, one of them’s really not necessary. We need someone who’s going to be truly independent, who has the character and the integrity to stand up to his party and his president, especially at a time of war

Source: Meet the Press: PA 2006 Senate Debate, Tim Russert moderator , Sep 3, 2006

Tries to live up to Catholic faith in personal & public life

Q: As a Catholic, does your faith shape your positions and actions? If so, in what ways?

A: Yes. My Catholic faith and the values reflected in that faith have always had a profound impact on me as a person and as a public official. I try to live up to the teachings of my faith in my personal life and in my public life.

Source: Valerie Schmalz, IgnatiusInsight.com interview , Jul 29, 2005

Public service is a trust, his dad the governor taught him

Q: As the son of a famous pro-life Democrat, the late Gov. Robert Casey, can you remark on how your father influenced you as a politician? How do your wife and children influence your approach to politics?

A: The most important lesson I learned from my father was the unconditional love he had for my mother, his eight children, and his grandchildren. As a candidate and a public official, he taught me and many other Pennsylvanians that public service was a trust and that trust must be earned every day as a public official. He also said “the most important quality a person can bring to political office is a passion for justice and a sense of outrage in the face of injustice.” My wife Terese and our four daughters influence me every day in the most profound way by their love and support for me.

Source: Valerie Schmalz, IgnatiusInsight.com interview , Jul 29, 2005

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Casey voted NAY blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.