Changes

==Biography==

==Biography==

Casey, one of eight children, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, of [[Irish American]] descent on his father's side. He is the son of Ellen Harding Casey and Bob Casey, the 42nd [[governor]] of Pennsylvania. Casey graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1982, and received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America in 1988. Between college and law school, Casey served as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and spent a year teaching 5th grade and coaching [[basketball]] at the Gesu School in inner city [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania. Casey practiced law in Scranton from 1991 until he ran for and was elected Pennsylvania [[State Auditor]] General in 1996. In 2002 he attempted to follow in his father's footsteps by running for Governor, but lost by 12 percentage points in the Democratic primary.

Casey, one of eight children, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, of [[Irish American]] descent on his father's side. He is the son of Ellen Harding Casey and Bob Casey, the 42nd [[governor]] of Pennsylvania. Casey graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1982, and received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America in 1988. Between college and law school, Casey served as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and spent a year teaching 5th grade and coaching [[basketball]] at the Gesu School in inner city [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania. Casey practiced law in Scranton from 1991 until he ran for and was elected Pennsylvania [[State Auditor]] General in 1996. In 2002 he attempted to follow in his father's footsteps by running for Governor, but lost by 12 percentage points in the Democratic primary.

==2006 Senatorial Campaign==

==2006 Senatorial Campaign==

==Abortion views==

==Abortion views==

Bob Casey campaigned as a [[conservative Democrat]], but after election voted for many pro-[[abortion]] bills.  This was in contrast with his late father, who was a popular [[Democratic]] governor of [[Pennsylvania]].

Bob Casey campaigned as a [[conservative Democrat]], but after election voted for many pro-[[abortion]] bills.  This was in contrast with his late father, who was a popular [[Democratic]] governor of [[Pennsylvania]].

During the 2008 Democrat Presidential primaries in Pennsylvania, Bob Casey Jr. gave his super delegate and backing to Barack Obama. [[Conservatives]] of both parties began to wonder about his true conservative principles due to his support of abortion candidates. By selecting Obama, he is pocketing his pro-life views in favor of the 100% [[NARAL]] rated Obama. He supports a candidate that feels [[partial birth abortion]] is not a travesty but a right to protect. Also rated by NARAL, Casey sides with pro-life legislation only 1/3 of the time. For 2007, his NARAL ratings was 65%. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=34145 Pro-Lifers Question Casey Speaking at Democratic Convention] CNSNews.com, August 14, 2008</ref>

During the 2008 Democrat Presidential primaries in Pennsylvania, Bob Casey Jr. gave his super delegate and backing to Barack Obama. [[Conservatives]] of both parties began to wonder about his true conservative principles due to his support of abortion candidates. By selecting Obama, he is pocketing his pro-life views in favor of the 100% [[NARAL]] rated Obama. He supports a candidate that feels [[partial birth abortion]] is not a travesty but a right to protect. Also rated by NARAL, Casey sides with pro-life legislation only 1/3 of the time. For 2007, his NARAL ratings was 65%. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=34145 Pro-Lifers Question Casey Speaking at Democratic Convention] CNSNews.com, August 14, 2008</ref>

Casey voted against the Mexico-city policy, lifting restrictions on funding international abortion programs with U.S. taxpayer money. <ref>[http://www.frcaction.org/get.cfm?i=PR07I02 FRC Action Condemns Senator Casey's vote on Mexico City Policy] Family Research Council</ref>

Casey voted against the Mexico-city policy, lifting restrictions on funding international abortion programs with U.S. taxpayer money. <ref>[http://www.frcaction.org/get.cfm?i=PR07I02 FRC Action Condemns Senator Casey's vote on Mexico City Policy] Family Research Council</ref> Casey defends his vote, says it is not about abortion. In Casey's Catholic diocese, Bishop Martino wrote,  “The Mexico City Policy is, first and foremost, about abortion, not about family planning.” In addition, the senator was persisting in "formally cooperating with the evil" caused by the policy. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=44350 Pennyslvania Bishop Warns Sen. Casey on His Support for Ending Mexico City Policy] CNSNews, March 3, 2009</ref>

Casey voted to confirm [[Kathleen Sebelius]] to head the Health and Human Services Dept. in objection to the Pro-life movement. <ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/nat5003.html Senate Votes to Approve Pro-Abortion Obama HHS Nominee Kathleen Sebelius] Lifenews.com, April 28, 2009</ref>

Casey voted to confirm [[Kathleen Sebelius]] to head the Health and Human Services Dept. in objection to the Pro-life movement. <ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/nat5003.html Senate Votes to Approve Pro-Abortion Obama HHS Nominee Kathleen Sebelius] Lifenews.com, April 28, 2009</ref>

Casey disagrees with 15 [[pro-life]] House Democrats that abortion should be removed from any future universal healthcare reform bill. “I think it is abundantly clear what my position is on the issue of abortion.” <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=50477 Abortion Issue Should Not Impede Debate on Health Care Reform, ‘Pro-Life Democrat’ Says] CNCNews, July 02, 2009</ref> Casey fails to understand that without an explicit exclusion, abortion would be federally funded.

Casey disagrees with 15 [[pro-life]] House Democrats that abortion should be removed from any future universal healthcare reform bill. “I think it is abundantly clear what my position is on the issue of abortion.” <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=50477 Abortion Issue Should Not Impede Debate on Health Care Reform, ‘Pro-Life Democrat’ Says] CNCNews, July 02, 2009</ref> Casey fails to understand that without an explicit exclusion, abortion would be federally funded.

Casey has introduced the ''Pregnant Women Support Act'' which has bi-partisan support and is supported by the [[Catholic Church]], "which he [Casey] believes provides life-affirming support for pregnant women and their unborn children." <ref>[http://www.cc.org/commentary/democrat_senator_bob_casey039s_quotpregnant_women_support_actquot_provides_quotauthentic_ Democrat Senator Bob Casey's "Pregnant Women Support Act" provides "authentic common ground"] Christian Coalition of America, May 28, 2009</ref>

Barack Obama's campaign has held discussions with Bob Casey, Jr. regarding a speech at the convention in late August. "I don't necessarily think there has to be a 'Catholic strategy,' because I'm not sure the Catholic vote is any more monolithic or predictable than any other vote," "The most committed pro-life voter and the most committed pro-choice voter can come together over the issue of how do we help pregnant women," Casey said. <ref>[http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/node/19955  Abortion Surfaces as Democratic Convention Issue] Philadelphia Inquirer, August 8, 2008</ref> For Casey to call a child in the womb "a choice" shows he is out of touch with [[Conservatives]] on this issue. To say he is the most committed pro-life voter is bold face lie, in stark contrast to his Presidential endorsement. Considering Bob Casey, Sr. was unable to speak at the 1992 convention due to his pro-life stance, the 2008 Democratic party jubilantly embraces Bob Casey provided that Casey doesn't interfere with their abortion as-a-right platform.

 

==[[ACORN]]==

Senate denies ACORN funding in a September 14, 2009 vote of 83 to 7. ACORN has been a source of nationwide fraud in the past two elections cycles. Still, they have their supporters like Bob Casey, Jr. He was one of the seven that sought to protect ACORN. <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27153.html Senate denies ACORN funding, Politico, September 14, 2009]</ref>

==Criticisms==

==Criticisms==

Rick Santorum and other Republican leaders have criticized Casey as being an "opportunist." Citing that he ran for four different statewide offices in six years. Another issue that Casey has been criticized for is his attendance as Pennsylvania state treasurer (a position he held from 2005-2007). During his first year as a candidate for U.S. Senate, State Treasurer Bob Casey spent half of his work days away from the office, according to an analysis of records provided by his campaign.

Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, questioned Casey being a speaker at the Democratic convention. Donahue said the Pennsylvania senator is [[pro-life]] “in name only” – unlike his late father. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=34145 Pro-Lifers Question Casey Speaking at Democratic Convention] CNSNews.com, August 14, 2008</ref>

Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, questioned Casey being a speaker at the Democratic convention. Donahue said the Pennsylvania senator is [[pro-life]] “in name only” – unlike his late father. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=34145 Pro-Lifers Question Casey Speaking at Democratic Convention] CNSNews.com, August 14, 2008</ref>

Senate denies ACORN funding in a September 14, 2009 vote of 83 to 7. ACORN has been a source of nationwide fraud in the past two elections cycles. Still, they have their supporters like Bob Casey, Jr. He was one of the seven that sought to protect ACORN. <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27153.html Senate denies ACORN funding, Politico, September 14, 2009]</ref>

Casey voted for lifting the ban on family planning funding called the Mexico City policy. The policy lifted expands abortions out of the country, with taxpayer-funded money. Casey defends his vote, says it is not about abortion. In Casey's Catholic diocese,  Bishop Martino wrote,  “The Mexico City Policy is, first and foremost, about abortion, not about family planning.” In addition, the senator was persisting in "formally cooperating with the evil" caused by the policy. <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=44350 Pennyslvania Bishop Warns Sen. Casey on His Support for Ending Mexico City Policy] CNSNews, March 3, 2009</ref>

Bill Wilson of Americans for Limited Government said, "The ACORN Housing Corporation has long been pushing the very loose-lending policies that helped destroy the housing industry. And now it has been exposed for working with prostitutes, as well. Yet, these seven Senators [Casey] have knowingly voted to keep sending taxpayer money to a highly corrupt organization of pushers and pimps," <ref>[http://politicomafioso.blogspot.com/2009/09/alg-condemns-7-senators-for-voting-to.html ALG Condemns 7 Senators,Politico Mafioso, September 16, 2009]</ref>

[[Conservative]] radio personality [[Mark Levin]] says, "He calls himself a moderate, don't believe it. He's just another [[liberal]]." <ref>[http://rope.zmle.fimc.net/player/player.html?url=http://podloc.andomedia.com/dloadTrack.mp3%3Fprm%3D2069xhttp://citadelcc.vo.llnwd.net/o29/network/Levin/MP3/levin07032009.mp3 Mark Levin Radio program July 03,2009]The Mark Levin Radio Show ABC Networks</ref> In addition, "They have to wake Casey and tell him when to vote."

[[Conservative]] radio personality [[Mark Levin]] says, "He calls himself a moderate, don't believe it. He's just another [[liberal]]." <ref>[http://rope.zmle.fimc.net/player/player.html?url=http://podloc.andomedia.com/dloadTrack.mp3%3Fprm%3D2069xhttp://citadelcc.vo.llnwd.net/o29/network/Levin/MP3/levin07032009.mp3 Mark Levin Radio program July 03,2009]The Mark Levin Radio Show ABC Networks</ref> In addition, "They have to wake Casey and tell him when to vote."

Bill Wilson of Americans for Limited Government said, "The ACORN Housing Corporation has long been pushing the very loose-lending policies that helped destroy the housing industry. And now it has been exposed for working with prostitutes, as well. Yet, these seven Senators [Casey] have knowingly voted to keep sending taxpayer money to a highly corrupt organization of pushers and pimps," <ref>[http://politicomafioso.blogspot.com/2009/09/alg-condemns-7-senators-for-voting-to.html ALG Condemns 7 Senators,Politico Mafioso, September 16, 2009]</ref>

Rick Santorum and other Republican leaders have criticized Casey as being an "opportunist." Citing that he ran for four different statewide offices in six years. Another issue that Casey has been criticized for is his attendance as Pennsylvania state treasurer (a position he held from 2005-2007). During his first year as a candidate for U.S. Senate, State Treasurer Bob Casey spent half of his work days away from the office, according to an analysis of records provided by his campaign.

==External  Links==

==External  Links==