Media Picking Up on Casey's Bad Tactics

Jason Riley published an article in the Opinion Journal Thursday that examines the Casey Jr. campaign and their slipping in the latest polls. This is the latest in a developing trend that I'm seeing in the media, who are beginning to catch on that Bobby Casey Jr. doesn't have much to him aside from his name.

Taking advantage of a double-digit lead in the polls, this son of a popular former two-term governor was coasting toward November on the heralded family name. He could remain mum or studiously vague about his actual positions. He could refuse to debate. And he could hide behind handlers who carefully stage-managed his appearances (before friendly audiences) and even more carefully shielded him from media outlets (like this one). It was a smart strategy for Mr. Casey, who is an underwhelming campaigner. But its viability is now being tested.

Casey Jr.'s campaign is all part of a well-crafted image model that the Democratic party has begun to perfect. Candidates like Casey, and Connecticut's Ned Lamont, don't need to make statements about actual issues and promote real policies. Instead, all they need to do is present the "I'm not the other guy" image and ride the negativity wave in to office. I would hope the American people are smarter than to vote "against" a candidate-- it didn't work for Kerry in 2004, and it's beginning to look like it won't work for Casey and Lamont in '06.

Riley's article also stressed the weight that Senator Santorum will carry with him in the Senate if he does win in November. Riley characterizes him as a strong leader in the conservative movement in America, and a policy maker who isn't afraid to go it alone for what he believes is right.

Among the handful of Upper Chamber Republicans facing difficult races this year, however, a Rick Santorum loss easily would be the most damaging to political conservatives. Mr. Santorum, the No. 3 man in the Senate, is much more than a reliable vote for lower taxes and a strong national defense. He's also been a true reformer who's often willing to champion unpopular causes. Sen. Santorum floor managed the welfare-reform bill that turned 10-years-old this week. He's backed medical savings accounts and pushed for Social Security personal retirement accounts long before George W. Bush. That takes chutzpah for a senator from a state with a higher percentage of senior citizens than anywhere but Florida.

The latest Quinnipiac U. poll shows that Senator Santorum has narrowed the gap that separated he and Casey Jr. to slim 6 points. While he is still a ways behind, this latest surge in the polls shows that not only is the media catching on to Casey's facade, but the people of Pennsylvania are as well. Posted by MikeRubino at August 26, 2006 12:50 AM