Casey Backs Alito

Patriot News 1.25.06
Casey risks angering base, joins Rendell in backing Alito
By Brett Lieberman

WASHINGTON - Robert P. Casey Jr. might have turned the Democratic base against him when he announced yesterday that he supports confirming Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After refusing to say whether he would support Alito, Casey's decision puts him at odds with abortion-rights advocates, a group whose support is seen as critical to his campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

"It's very disturbing and should worry, I think, Pennsylvania women and civil rights advocates and people concerned about unchecked executive power to wiretap and eavesdrop on Americans," said Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"It will make his job more difficult in the state of Pennsylvania as he tries to appeal to progressive voters, and it should make his job harder," she said.

Casey's decision demonstrates that women "cannot count on a Senator Casey to protect our liberties," said Michelman, a former head of Planned Parenthood of Harrisburg.

Casey's announcement came hours after Gov. Ed Rendell, an abortion-rights supporter and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said he thinks Alito ought to be confirmed.

Rendell's declaration provided Casey "cover," but is unlikely to soothe many Democrats' concerns about views that are frequently in sync with Santorum, political analyst Jennifer Duffy said.

"If you're a Democrat and you had your doubts about supporting Casey on the basis of ideology, this did not help," she said.

Casey's opposition to abortion rights has kept many traditional Democratic groups at arm's length.

"I believe a senator should consider and carefully weigh several factors, including the nominee's character, academic credentials, legal experience, judicial temperament, and judicial philosophy," Casey said in a statement that mirrored Rendell's remarks.
"I do not agree with everything that Judge Samuel Alito has done or said -- particularly many of his rulings which too often result in corporate power prevailing over the interests of consumers and workers," he said.

But, Casey said, "the arguments against Judge Alito do not rise to the level that would require a vote denying him a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court."

Republicans responded with glee and attacks on what Santorum's campaign called Casey's lack of leadership.

Rendell, whose wife Midge serves with Alito on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, said Alito's possible vote against abortion rights is not enough to disqualify him.