Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania:
Casey is a firm believer in fiscal discipline. As state Auditor General, he compiled an impressive record of fighting wasteful spending and bureaucratic inefficiencies and errors.
A devout Catholic, Casey does not support abortion and holds pro-life views, which is at odds with Democratic Party stances, but appealing in battleground state Pennsylvania.
Bob Casey, Jr. on the Issues:
He wants to reform No Child Left Behind, which he dubs "all stick and no carrot," and prioritizes new school construction and repair of aging schools.
Casey seeks to end deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and declares that "Every American deserves a secure retirement with affordable prescription drugs and reliable Social Security."
Senate Committees in 111th Congress, 2009-2010:
- Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee
- Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy, Science & Technology [li[Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition & Food Assistance, Sustainable & Organic Agriculture
- Foreign Relations Committee
- Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations & Organizations, Democracy & Human Rights
- Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs
- Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee
- Joint Economic Committee
- Special Committee on Aging
Bob Casey, Jr., a Pro-Life, Pro-Gay Rights Democrat:
He is, however, a strong supporter of gay rights, including adoption by same-gender families and extension of domestic partner benefits to same-gender couples... stances which have enraged some Catholics. He opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment which bans gay marriage.
Professional Experience:
- Attorney, mainly with Haggerty, McDonnell & O'Brien, a Scranton law firm co-founded by his father - 1991-1996
- Pennsylvania State Auditor General - 1996-2004
- Pennsylvania State Treasurer - 2004-present
Personal Data:
- Birth - April 13, 1960 in Scranton, PA, the eldest son of 8 children born to Irish Catholic parents, Bob Sr. and Ellen.
- Education - Roman Catholic schools. B.A. 1982, College of the Holy Cross. J.D. 1988 from Catholic University of America.
- Family - Married in 1985 to Terese. Four daughters.
- Faith - Roman Catholic
Between College and Law School:
The Bob Casey, Jr. Persona:
Casey played basketball in high school and college. In 1991, he suffered a fractured nose and ruptured Achilles tendon in a basketball incident.
Father, Robert Casey, Sr., Former Governor of Pennsylvania:
Strongly pro-life, Casey famously refused to endorse Bill Clinton for the presidency in 1992, and accordingly, wasn't allowed to speak at the party convention. He passed away in 2000 of familial amyloidosis, a rare, inheritable genetic disease.
Memorable Quotes by Bob Casey, Jr. :
On Opponent Rick Santorum
"Santorum has learned a lot of dirty tricks, and he has now proven why he embodies everything that is wrong with Washington."
--- Reported in US News & World Report on August 2, 2006
On Family
"The most important lesson I learned from my father was the unconditional love he had for my mother, his eight children, and his grandchildren...
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."
--- July 29, 2005, interview with Ignatius Insight
On Why Pro-Choice Voters Should Support Him
"I’ve always been a strong advocate for programs and policies that make life better for women before and after giving birth... I will work hard to protect important programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Head Start. I’ve also been a strong supporter of family planning and will continue the fight to keep it funded...
That’s why I’ve enjoyed the support of pro-choice and pro-life people every time I’ve run for office in Pennsylvania. If there is one thing that brings people together on this issue it’s the need to reduce the number of abortions – the number of unwanted pregnancies and crisis pregnancies."
--- September 2, 2005, interview with The Philadelphia Jewish Voice
On Stem Cell Research
"... 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..."
--- July 29, 2005, interview with Ignatius Insight
