Santorum, Casey give speeches in first joint campaign event

Santorum, Casey give speeches in first joint campaign event

10/14/2005, 4:47 p.m. ET

By KIMBERLY HEFLING The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Republican Sen. Rick Santorum touted his record while his leading Democratic challenger, Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., offered an economic plan during their first joint campaign event.

The two spoke Friday at the annual meeting of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. They did not appear side-by-side, but gave separate speeches to the group.

Although the race is more than a year off, it is already billed as one of the most competitive and expensive Senate races in 2006.

Santorum, the No. 3 Senate Republican, said he has visited every county in Pennsylvania in his 11 years in the Senate and has delivered for the state on issues ranging from farm preservation to poverty.

"I'm probably known most by the work I do in Washington on the big issues of the day and I'm criticized sometimes for taking on the big issues of the day like Social Security," Santorum said.

"But ... you didn't elect a senator from Pennsylvania to get out in Washington and sit on the sidelines. You wanted us to suit up with the pads on and take on the big issues that confront us not just in Washington but across the globe."

Casey delivered an economic plan that included more funding for the Small Business Administration and the repeal of tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent. He said Washington decision makers, including Santorum and the Bush administration, were fiscally irresponsible and too focused on ideology rather than the economy.

He also referred to Santorum's recent book, "It Takes A Family: Conservatism and the Common Good." The book compares abortion to slavery and accuses feminists of undermining motherhood.

"How much longer must the concerns of Pennsylvania businesses take a back seat to ideology?" he said. "Some say it takes a village. Others say it takes a family. While there's wisdom in both of these ideas, I think that most important, it takes a job."

Santorum, who spoke second, said he did not think it made sense to tax small business owners to fund the Small Business Administration.

Casey said Friday he has a fiscally responsible record, has never supported deficit spending and never will.

Although the two took a few minor jabs at each other, they generally avoided personal attacks during the speeches.

A Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University poll last week had Santorum, a two-term incumbent, lagging 18 points behind Casey. Casey is the son of a popular late governor.

In the fundraising quarter that ended last week, Santorum raised more than $1.7 million for the period, while Casey raised more than $2 million, according to their campaigns. Santorum has about $6.6 million cash on hand, while Casey has about $3 million, their campaigns said.

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On the Net:

Casey campaign Web site: http://www.bobcaseyforpa.com

Santorum campaign Web site: http://www.ricksantorum.com

Source: http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1129292942178201.xml&storylist=penn

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