How much could Hafer really care about abortion rights

[dsc]

given that she endorsed Santorum twice? Hafer was a Republican until 2003 and repeatedly endorsed Santorum. Yet now, on one issue, about which she apparently doesn't even really care, we are expected to trust this turncoat with our most important Senate race. What happens if ala Nighthorse Campbell or Shelby she switches back? Casey is the best choice to rid us of Santorum. If his win gets us the Senate back there will be no pro life legislation in the pipeline. If it doesn't, his vote is likely not to matter anyway.

[geek tragedy]

1. Hafer has the distinction of being both a RINO and a DINO. She needs to

be a real Democrat for at least two election cycles before being considered for a statewide race. She can't be trusted--she makes Zell Miller look like a rock of loyalty.

[Warpy]

2. The DLC is obviously out to destroy the party

once and for all by running antiabortion freaks and outright Repuglicans for office.

C'mon, DFA. Surely you can find somebody to oppose these stooges.

[dsc]

3. Actually the DLC has nothing to do with this either way

It is pro choice absolutists who want Hafer and Casey is the choice of the DNC.

[w4rma]

4. If you support the Democrats, you've got to be crazy to support Hafer.

Sounds like an opportunist, to me.

[iwantmycountryback]

9. Bob Casey is an outright Republican?

Maybe instead of being a single-issue voter you should take a look at some of his other positions and stop being such a damn knee-jerk reactionary.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Obviously abortion rights don't rank very high on her political agenda

If she would compromise enough to endorse Sanctorum, then she'd likely bend over backward on other Democratic issues. Regardless, she's out of the race. The abortion rights absolutists can vote for professor Pennachio in the primary. If they have a majority, then he wins.

[dsc]

6. Here here

[mdguss]

7. Amen:

Though Hafer has always been a moderate. She's a good person and a good office holder. I actually voted for her in 2000 when Knoll was running against her. But it's true that she did endorse Santorum then.

Hafer actually started her career as a Democrat in the early 1970s, when Democrats wouldn't support her she became a Republican, then she switched back to being a Democrat in 2003. The party should welcome her back, but it should also work to keep Democrats like Bob Casey, Jr. under the tent.

People should note one thing: after the Pennsylvania abortion control act passed in 1990, abortion rights advocated got behind Hafer for Governor, she was defeated by Casey nearly 2 to 1. Pennsylvania is a very pro-life state.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

8. PA: Home of the pro-choice Republicans/anti-choice Democrats...

I've had the Casey discussion with you before and I think I've made it clear that I will support him with my vote against the evil man-on-dog we have right now.

However, to say that PA is a very pro-life state is not correct. I can list a number of high-profile office holders in recent memory who are pro-choice (most are Republican): Thornburgh, Heinz, Ridge, Specter, Rendell. Not to mention the fact that PA has been 'blue' for President since 1992. There is something missing in the quick-shot analysis of PA because it is obvious that anti-abortion is not the guaranteed winning hand. I think PA has a lot of independent minded voters, and a large subset of that group includes the Rockefeller Republicans especially in the established, upper-middle-class suburbs around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

[BornaDem]

10. Hafer is NOT running for senate. She withdrew when Casey announced.

[dsc]

11. I understand that

but it was all part of an evil anti woman plot. We should restore Hafer to her rightful place after her two years of Democratic service.

[BornaDem]

12. Sorry, I didn't know about "the plot" and thought that people did not...

understand PA politics where most politicians are Republicrats. I must admit that most (like Specter) only change parties once, if at all, since it's very difficult to find any difference between the two and hardly worth the bother to switch. As for Hafer, I suppose she belongs in a class by herself - the ultimate opportunist - maybe she'll make another change before she's finished since the Democrats don't treat her any better than the Republicans did. She hasn't been a Green or Independent yet. Somebody above had it right when they said she was both a RINO and a DINO.

[dsc]

13. I was being a little facitious

but there are many here who feel that Casey is evil for being pro life and that Hafer is who should be the nominee. Frankly I would have a great deal of difficulty voting for her but against Santorum that difficulty would vanish.

[BornaDem]

14. That's the problem...

I would have trouble voting for her too, but given a choice between her and Santorum... well my problems with her vanish into thin air!