Bobby's boo-boo

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Editorial

In the single most-watched U.S. Senate race in the country, Pennsylvanians may not be energized by the candidates' stands on Iraq, Social Security or government's gross spending.

But last year's state pay-jacking? That iron's still plenty hot.

What better test do Pennsylvanians need to see how a state official -- who aided the outrage -- will fare as a newbie on Capitol Hill.

As state treasurer, Bobby Casey Jr. didn't blow the whistle on last summer's unconstitutional legislative pay raises; he cut the checks for them. Oh, he said he opposed it. Eventually. But not until months after the fact -- and only because his hand was forced.

In response to a lawsuit against the since-repealed raises, Mr. Casey offered that the pay-jacking violated the state Constitution.

Translation: Casey knowingly aided and abetted an unconstitutional act.

Didn't this guy take an oath to defend the state Constitution? This is the watchdog Pennsylvanians would send to the Senate? Looks and sounds more like a lap dog to us.

How ironic, too, that in his first debate with Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, the Democrat challenger accused Mr. Santorum of being Bush's "yes" man, when Casey did as much for ringleaders of the reprehensible pay grab.

Pssssst, Sen. Santorum: This is an issue to keep hammering home.

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