Pennsylvania Senate Race - Santorum vs. Casey

[utica]

I’m trying to understand if a Catholic in Pennsylvania may, in good conscience, vote for Bob Casey Jr. for the U.S. Senate.

I think I understand the issues in the 2004 campaign, in which it was clear that a Catholic could not vote for John Kerry for president.

Is the same true in Pennsylvania this year?

In general, Bob Casey Jr. appears to be Pro Life. However, I believe he came out in support of the recent Plan B authorization.

He is against killing embryos for research and product development, but supports continuing research using already developed strains of stem cells that were derived from embryos.

Casey supports state and federal funding for contraceptive services. He also opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment.

I’ve already made my decision and will be voting for Rick Santorum in November. But I would like to fully understand this issue. I have Catholic friends who will probably be voting for Casey.

Are they compelled to not vote for him because of some of his Pro Life inconsistencies, in the same way that they were compelled to not vote for Kerry because of his clear anti-life stance?

Could a Catholic in good conscience have voted for Casey in the primary, since he ran against an avowed anti-life candidate?

Could a Catholic in good conscince have voted for Casey for senator if he had run against Arlen Specter in 2004?

Thanks!

 

[detrockcity3]

He is against abortion, but he is very pro-contraception. You may be voting for a Catholic, but you probably won’t be getting a totally Catholic opinion from him. He can’t really match his politics and religion up without getting thrown out of this modern day Democratic Party. There is very little room for deviation from the party line there, just look at Lieberman.

Roe v. Wade Should Be Overturned
Democratic Senate candidate Robert P. Casey Jr., who opposes abortion, believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned. “You can’t say you have the position I have and not believe that,” Casey said in a recent interview.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, “Casey’s Clear View on Abortion” Dec 18, 2005

Right to Privacy means contraception, not unborn
Casey says he believes the Constitution protects a right to privacy on some matters, such as contraceptive use. But, he adds, it does not trump the rights of the unborn.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, “Casey’s Clear View on Abortion” Dec 18, 2005

No embryonic stem cell research; adult research ok
Q: Would you explain your stance on embryonic stem cell research and human cloning?

A: I support the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research.

Q: How would you vote if the Castle bill came to you in the Senate? [The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, known as the Castle bill, would allow embryonic stem cell research on so-called “left over” embryos from in-vitro fertilization clinics.]

A: I would oppose the Castle bill to expand federal support of embryonic stem cell research. As a US Senator, I will strongly support funding for stem cell research that doesn’t destroy an embryo. There are many promising techniques under development that don’t require destroying the embryo and there’s good reason to hope that soon we’ll be able to remove the politics from this issue. I also strongly support increased federal funding for research on stem cells derived from adult cells, bone marrow and placentas - areas where tremendous progress has already been made.
Source: Valerie Schmalz, IgnatiusInsight.com interview Jul 29, 2005

Exceptions to save life of mother, rape & incest
Q: What is your position on legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception if Roe v. Wade is overturned? What exceptions would you require: a) life of the mother b) rape & incest c) fetal deformity?

A: Support a) Life of the mother. If the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, a PA bill would contain exceptions for rape, for incest, and for the life of the mother. I would strongly support that bill because it would have the effect of reducing the number of abortions in PA.
Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia survey of Treasurer candidates Nov 7, 2004

Opposes public funding of abortion
Q: What is your position on legislation that would attempt to weaken or repeal the PA Abortion Control Act?

A: Oppose .

Q: What is your position on public funding of abortion?

A: Oppose
Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia survey of Treasurer candidates Nov 7, 2004

Supports state funding of contraceptive services
Q: What is your position on a provision in the state’s budget to fund contraceptive services?

A: Support

Q: What is your position on requiring employers or health insurance plans to cover contraceptives in their prescription drug plans?

A: Support
Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia survey of Treasurer candidates Nov 7, 2004

Opposes Woman’s Right to Abortion
Opposes woman’s right to abortion.
Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire Nov 2, 2004

Opposes Tax-Funded Abortion
Opposes tax-funded abortion.
Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire Nov 2, 2004

Supports Legal Protection for Human Life from Conception
Supports legal protection for human life from conception.
Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire Nov 2, 2004

 

[detrockcity3]

Oh, as for the question, I suppose you’d really have to not like Santorum or you’d really have not care about contraception.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Mr Casey is not going to be my choice. IMO he tends to be a cafeteria Catholic. He picks and chooses what he will follow.