Friday, April 28, 2006

From DKos -- Conyers on Taking Bush to Court

Taking the President to Court

by Congressman John Conyers

Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 02:46:24 PM EST

As some of you may be aware, according to the President and Congressional Republicans, a bill does not have to pass both the Senate and the House to become a law. Forget your sixth grade civics lesson, forget the book they give you when you visit Congress - "How Our Laws Are Made," and forget Schoolhouse Rock. These are checks and balances, Republican-style.

As the Washington Post reported last month, as the Republican budget bill struggled to make its way through Congress at the end of last year and beginning of this year (the bill cuts critical programs such as student loans and Medicaid funding), the House and Senate passed different versions of it. House Republicans did not want to make Republicans in marginal districts vote on the bill again, so they simply certified that the Senate bill was the same as the House bill and sent it to the President. The President, despite warnings that the bill did not represent the consensus of the House and Senate, simply shrugged and signed the bill anyway. Now, the Administration is implementing it as though it was the law of the land.

Several public interest groups have sought to stop some parts of the bill from being implemented, under the theory that the bill is unconstitutional. However, getting into the weeds a bit, they have lacked the ability to stop the entire bill. To seek this recourse, the person bringing the suit must have what is called "standing," that is they must show they were injured or deprived of some right. Because the budget bill covers so many areas of the law, it is difficult for one person to show they were harmed by the entire bill. Thus, many of these groups have only sought to stop part of it.

After consulting with some of the foremost constitutional experts in the nation, I determined that one group of people are injured by the entire bill: Members of the House. We were deprived of our right to vote on a bill that is now being treated as the law of the land.

So, I am going to court. {Read the Rest Here}

Chuck Pennacchio on Iraq: "Out of Crisis Comes Opportunity"

For me, one of the key differences between Chuck Pennacchio, on the one side, and Rick Santorum and Bob Casey Jr on the other, is their approaches to Iraq.

Santorum and Bob Casey Jr supported President Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq. Senator Santorum and Treasurer Casey also endorse President Bush's "stick it out" policy in Iraq. At the last Senate Campaign Debate, Bob Casey Jr refused to consider a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.

Chuck Pennacchio did not support the decision to go to war and does not support the Bush cum Santorum cum Bob Casey "fight 'til we win" approach. In Chuck's view, withdrawal from Iraq is a vital national security issue:
[I]t is important to remind ourselves why an American military pullout is vital to our national security.

As a diplomatic historian, national security studies professor, and student of the Vietnam War, I can clearly see that the Iraq War has created long-term diplomatic, cultural, economic, political, and military damage to ourselves among our traditional allies, non-aligned yet cooperative nations, rival states, and heretofore neutral nations. This damage in international relations means that our global war against al Qaeda and related offspring, based in over 60 nations (according to the CIA), continues to backslide badly.

In other words, continuation of the Iraq War--with attending human rights debacles at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo--dramatically fuels the recruitment process of radical, anti-American, Islamic warriors around the globe, while undermining our intelligence gathering efforts against al Qaeda and its clones.
It is bitter irony that the perpetration of this war -- on false claims and weak argument -- has in fact harmed out national security interests. Ironic because strenghtening our national security was the undercurrent of all of the shifting arguments used to justify this highly unusual pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. Bitter because of the thousands of our brothers and sisters who are dead or maimed because of this wrong-headed policy.

Chuck points out that, not only has this war permitted our foreign antagonsists to "get away" and grow stronger abroad, but it has weakend our ability to protect against them at home. The Bush/Santorum/Casey-endorsed Iraq policy is a two-edged sword with both edges cutting US:
[O]ur nation is weaker at home, and more vulnerable to attack, than it was on 9-11. Why? Because federal-level budget cuts have meant first responder support is diminished at the local level; because homeland security dollars are now part of the up-for-grabs pork barrel politicking that defines our undisciplined federal spending--and, as such, unthreatened mid-American towns and cities are, effectively, robbing vulnerable coastal cities, ports, waterways, and nuclear and chemical plants of needed support; because military recruitment has fallen prey to our overstretched, under-armed, poorlycompensated soldier, national guard, and veteran populations.
The first step in corrective action, meaning to strengthen our national security, is a sound Iraq withdrawal program. Chuck sees this celarly and has always seen it. He proposed an exit strategy last year -- while Casey was still making up his mind about whether he supported a war then-two years old. In June, 2005, Chuck laid out three fundamentals as the basis for the withdrawal framework, which he hoped, with Congressional, Administrative, and public support, could be accomplished within three months:
First, the United States needs to promote an international peace-keeping force made up of soldiers from neutral and Islamic nations. The United States and NATO should actively court the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to lead-organize and staff this global force. . . .

Second, we need to support Iraqi self-rule and free and fair elections both now and after America's military occupation has ended. . . . The divide between Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds will make consensus-building difficult, but not impossible, as was the case when all parties came together in the 1950s.

Third, since the U.S. broke much of Iraq's infrastructure during the early phase of the war, it is on us to provide humanitarian aid to allow Iraq to rebuild for its future. For without economic promise there can be no hope for democracy.
As Chuck has said at each of his nearly 300 non-fundraising campaign events to date:
"Out of crisis comes opportunity" -- We must not miss this opening for a just and lasting peace in Iraq, the non-violent extension of democracy and self-determination across the Middle East, and a revival of America's moral suasion as a means to combat al Qaeda-led terrorism and to advance international goodwill.
I'd like to see us give him the opportunity to take his plan to the people in this Commonwealth, to challenge Rick Santorum's support of the Iraq war and the "stick it out" non-plan, and let the voters decide in November with whom they agree. If we give the voters Casey their choice will be between someone who agrees with the President and is in the same Party, or someone who agrees with the President and is not. Some choice.

Choose Change. Choose Chuck on May 16.

I Believe in Chuck Pennacchio

h/t to Chris Bowers for the excellent piece on his recent Philadelphia Ward Committee endorsement meeting. Go read the whole thing on DKos or MyDD.

Here's his recounted speech in favor of endorsing Chuck Pennacchio:
I am not going to say anything negative about Bob Casey. I will not be voting for him the primary, but my vote is neither a "protest vote" nor an "anti-Casey vote."

My vote is a pro-Chuck Pennacchio vote. Up and down the spectrum of issues, Chuck believes in what I believe. He believes in full equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, and what Valerie [McDonald Roberts, Candidate for Lt. Gov.] said when she spoke to us, that "we must go way beyond just tolerance."

Chuck believes in actually withdrawing from Iraq, not vague promises about withdrawal. Chuck believes that people should have control over their own bodies and their private lives all of the time, not just some of the time. Chuck also believes that campaigns need to be run on the ground, by reaching out to people, not just by money. And on and on and on.

I do not worry about what "message" my vote in the primary sends to people, because my vote is what I believe in. I believe that primaries are where you should always and only vote for what you believe in.

If I thought my beliefs sent the wrong message to people, I would quit politics right now. Many Americans think that Democrats do not stand for anything. If, in our own primaries, when only Democrats are choosing among potential candidates, we vote not for what we believe in, but rather for what we think will appeal to the most people, then how can we ever combat the belief that Democrats do not stand for anything?

I will work for whoever wins the primary, but in the primary I am going to vote for what I believe in.

I believe in Chuck Pennacchio.
Thanks, Chris.

Give people a real choice when they go into the voting booth in November. Rather than having to force them to choose tweedle-dee or tweedle-dum, between someone who will support the Democrat party on some issues, but will sit in the Lieberman wing of the Republican Party when it comes to issues of personal liberty, the use of force and nuclear weapons, gun control, living wages and universal health care, and so many, many other issues. Give them someone who stands for traditional Democratic values, and who holds deeply considered positions that haven't changed, like the other candidates, over the last few months. Give them someone who stands for something. Do that and I am absolutely convinced that Rick Santorum would be thrown out in a landslide. Give them something else, and you give Santorum room to breathe, to wiggle free.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Scranton Newspaper Family's Questionable Campaign Donations to Bob Casey Jr

The blogsphere has long noted how Bob Casey Jr receives questionable advertising support from his hometown newspaper. His opponents have also noted how the MSM seems to ignore them.

But a look into the FEC reports filed by the Casey campaign and gathered at OpenSecrets.Org, show more than Casey's opponents are being ignored by the owners of The Scranton Times-Tribune.

The Lynett family, which owns and operates the Scranton paper, have made huge campaign donations to the Casey campaign. One would think that a multi-generational newspaper family would have developed the notion that journalistic integrity requires some separation from the political process. But, remember folks, they are in Northeast Pennsylvania -- Luzerne, Lackawanna and Pike counties don't exactly scream ethics and integrity when it comes to politics, business, or, apparently, journalism.

So, give them a pass on ignoring a basic precept of professional ethics.

But, even a cursory glance at the information collected from the Casey FEC reports appears to show that the Lynett family and the Casey campaign have already given Casey more than the law permnits for the Primary campaign. The FEC says that the law limits an individual to a maximum campaign donation of:

$2,100 per election to a Federal candidate or the candidate's campaign committee. Notice that the limit applies separately to each election. Primaries, runoffs and general elections are considered separate elections.
But the Casey reports show that, among the about $15,000 which the Scranton newspaper owners shoveled to Casey, George Lynett gave $3,100. He did it on the same day but in two separate checks. And, t it is ALL in the FAMILY. George has a sister, Cecelia Haggerty, in Dunmore. She "only" gave $2,100 -- within the legal limit. But a lawyer named James Haggerty, also in Dunmore, gave Casey $3,100 -- again in two separate checks.

Now technically, if the individuals intended the excess donations to be used for the General Election, this isn't a violation of the law. This is because individuals can donate $2100 for the primary and $2100 for the General Election. (When Casey loses the Primary, he has to give to back. But, if he should defeat Chuck Pennacchio, then he can carry over the excess.) But one wonders, if there was nothing illegal about what they were doing, why did they go to the trouble of dividing the contributions up into separate checks?

Tell me again how Casey is going to be able to call Rick Santorum out on ethics?

The drumbeat grows louder.

From the Chuck Pennacchio blog:

From John Nichols, writing in The Nation about the growing resistance to Pro-War Democrats:

Ignoring calls for party loyalty, three county Democratic parties in Pennsylvania have refused to back the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee's favored candidate, Bob Casey, Jr., over progressive Chuck Pennacchio.

And it appears we're not alone. Pro-war Democrats across the country, from Lieberman and Clinton in the east to Maria Cantwell and Jane Harman in the west are facing progressive challenges. Harman, a Blue Dog Congresswoman from California, is up against Marcy Winograd, who describes her contest with Harman as "an iconic struggle that asks, Who does the Democratic Party represent -- grassroots Democrats of the Bush Administration?" Good question.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Smpily Aimnazg!

Olny srmat poelpe can

Cdnuol't blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

If you can raed tihs psas it on!

Thanks to dragonballyee

Bob Casey Jr Takes Money From Abramoff Firm

Researching something else, I stumbled on a rather eye-opening fact.

Among the Lawyer/Lobbying firms supporting Casey with their big money donations is none other than Greenberg Traurig Sound familiar?

It should . . . . . Greenberg's most (in)famous (now) former partner is none other than Jack Abramoff -- he of the cool hat fame.

And Bob Casey sees "nothing wrong" with taking lobbyist money?

Talk about being tone deaf.


(UPDATE 5/7/06- fixed the link to the Abramoff Firm donations)

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Bob Casey Jr.: "Send Lawyers, Lobbyists & Money!"

In the most recent debate among the three Pennsylvania Democrats vying to challenge Rick Santorum, only one refused to take a pledge to reject lobbyist donations -- Bob Casey, Jr.

His opponents, Chuck Pennacchio and Sandals agreed that, especially these days (can anyone say Jack Abramoff?), politicians taking money from lobbyists is, if not the root, at least a major, major contributor to the lousy way in which the public's business is being done in Washington.

Turns out that Junior had a really, REALLY good reason not to take the pledge.

Guess who is the only non-member of Congress in the top 20 recipients of Lobbyist largesse in the whole galaxy for the 2006 election cycle?

Yep, according to the good folk at the Center for Responsible Politics, Pennsylvania's own favorite son of a favorite son, is on the current list of the top 20 recipients of Lobbyist donations. He is the ONLY -- the one and ONLY -- member of that list who is NOT a sitting member of Congress.

Let me say that again, Bob Casey Jr. is soooooo popular with the Lobbyists, that they have give more money to him than they have to over 500 current, sitting, legislating, and voting members of your United States Congress. THAT is just incredible.

It's no wonder that Bob Casey Jr. stands alone among the Pennsylvania Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate in accepting money from Lobbyists.

Gee, could it get any worse?

Well, yes it can.

LAWYERS love Junior, too. They love him soooooo much that, when you look at the entire Lobbyist/Lawyer segment of the money pushers, Junior stands head and shoulders above everyone else in the world not named Hilary or Bill Nelson.

That's right, Bob Casey Jr. rakes in more money from Lawyers & Lobbyists than Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, and even RICK SANTORUM. He is Number 3 on the list of the TOP recipients of lawyer/lobbyist money, according to the data collected from the candidates' own FEC filings.

How in the world do Pennsylvania Democrats supporting Casey Jr. expect this guy to capitalize on the whole ethics/money-in-politics issues on which Santorum is so vulnerable, when their guy is outdoing nearly everyone else in the world in stuffing his pockets with the greenbacks of the lawyer/lobbyist industry?

How in the world can they expect Bob Casey Jr. to represent them -- he'll constantly be looking over his shoulder to be sure not to offend the sources of his campaign fund.

What are they thinking?

Friday, April 21, 2006

Bob Casey Junior - For Sale By Owner

At the debate this week among Chuck Pennacchio, Sandals, and Bob Casey, Jr., Casey called out Rick Santorum on Santorum's ties to lobbyists and the big money guys behind him.

Now, say what you will about Casey Junior's lack of passion and flat delivery, that attack on Santorum took some courage. I can hear you saying it -- "Courage?!", this Slob is trying to say it took guts to challenge Santorum on the influence of money and lobbyists in Washington? "Whaaaaaat?"

Well, the reason it took courage is that Casey Junior was calling Santorum out for doing exactly what Casey Junior does -- rake in the bucks from lobbyists and corporate/pharmaceutical/military-industrial PACs. In fact, HUNDREDS of the same PACs that give to Santorum give to Casey.

At the debate, Chuck Pennacchio had the facts and called Casey on them. While Chuck was speaking, and Casey was off-camera, Casey vigorously shook his head "no".

But, when it was his turn to speak, Casey didn't deny Chuck's charge. He knew THAT would be fatal because, last year Chuck's team did the research and issued their
report on their blog.

What did they find? Well, in summary:

Seven PACs give directly to Casey and Santorum.
Eight PACs give directly to Casey and indirectly to Santorum.
One Hundred Fifty-One PACs give indirectly to Casey and directly to Santorum.
Seventy-Three PACs give indirectly to Casey and indirectly to Santorum.
All told,
TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE PACS give to Casey and Santorum.
Who are all of these PACs. Well, I hope that you have some time. Thanks to Comments from Left Field for disclosing so many of them:

There are 7 committees who gave directly to both Casey and Santorum:

COZEN O'CONNOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

DELAWARE VALLEY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
GENESIS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART NICHOLSON GRAHAM LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PH&S FEDERAL PAC
REED SMITH POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
TERCENTENARY FUND


There are 8 committees who gave directly to Casey and indirectly to Santorum:
AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION-COPE
AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ASSOCIATION OF TRIAL LAWYERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ATLA PAC) INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS INTERESTED IN REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION PAC
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS, IN SP BLDRS, BKMTHS, FRGRS & HLPRS-LEG ED..FUND
MANTECH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
UNITED TRANSPORTATION UNION (UTU) TRANSPORTATION POLITICAL EDUCATION LEAGUE

There are 151 committees who gave indirectly to Casey and directly to Santorum:
ABBOTT LABORATORIES EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ACCENTURE PAC
ACE INA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AEGON USA INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AETNA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AFFILIATED COMPUTER SERVICES INC. GOOD GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE AFLACPAC
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS INC. POLITICAL ALLIANCE
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD LLP CIVIC ACTION COMMITTEE
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ALTRIA GROUP INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICA'S COMMUNITY BANKERS COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC (AHIP PAC)
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY INC POLITICAL COMMITTEE (OPHTHPAC)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS SEPARATE SEGREGATED FUND (CRNA-PAC)
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AXPPAC)
AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PAC
AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION PAC
AMERICAN INSURANCE ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION FUND
AMERICAN PODIATRIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INC PODIATRY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION PAC
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ARENT FOX PLLC PAC (AFPAC)
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RAIL PAC)
ASSURANT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AT&T INC. FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AT&T FEDERAL PAC)
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BEVERLY ENTERPRISES INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BEV PAC)
BIOGEN IDEC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BLUEPAC - BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ("BSC PAC")
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION COMMITTEE FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT "BIPC PAC"
BUILD POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS
BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION RAILPAC (BNSF RAILPAC)
C J PAC CEISLER JUBELIRER LLC
CALPINE CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CAREER COLLEGE ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CHUBB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-CHUBBPAC, THE
CINGULAR WIRELESS LLC EMPLOYEE PAC
CITIGROUP INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-FEDERAL (CITIGROUP PAC-FEDERAL)
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
COMCAST CORP. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
COMERICA INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP INC. FEDERAL PAC
COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE; THE
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION GOV'T ACTION FUND
CREDIT UNION LEGISLATIVE ACTION COUNCIL OF CUNA
CROPLIFE AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
DEALERS ELECTION ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE DEALERS ASSOCIATION
DELOITTE & TOUCHE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO MORIN & OSHINSKY LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ("DSMO PAC")
DISTRICT NO 1-PCD MEBA POLITICAL ACTION FUND (MEBA-PAF)
DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY US LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DLA PIPER PAC)
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC
ENTERGY CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE "ENPAC"
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ERNST & YOUNG POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
EXELON CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (EXELONPAC)
FEDERAL EXPRESS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION POLTICAL ACTION COMMITTEE AKA FANNIE MAE PAC
FEDERATION OF AMERICAN HOSPITALS PAC (FEDPAC); (FKA AMERICAN HEALTH SYSTEMS PAC)
FINANCIAL SERVICES ROUNDTABLE PAC
FMR CORP. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L L P FEDERAL COMMITTEE
GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP)
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GM PAC)
GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP PAC
GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND FKA (HARTFORD ADVOCATES FUND)
HSBC NORTH AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (H-PAC)
HUMANE USA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (INSURPAC)
INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICI PAC)
J. P. MORGAN CHASE & CO. PAC
JACOBS GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND
JOHNSON & JOHNSON EMPLOYEES' GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND
KEYCORP ADVOCATES FUND
KING & SPALDING NONPARTISAN COMMITTEE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT
KOCH INDUSTRIES INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (KOCHPAC)
KPMG PARTNERS/PRINCIPALS & EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MBNA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE
MEDTRONIC INC. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
METLIFE INC. EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FUND A
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MILLER BREWING COMPANY PAC
MORGAN STANLEY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS TELEVISION AND RADIO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND
NEW CENTURY FINANCIAL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NEWS AMERICA HOLDINGS INC-FOX POL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA NEWS AMERICA-FOX POL ACTION CMTE
NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
O'MELVENY & MYERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ORACLE CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
OWENS CORNING BETTER GOVERNMENT FUND
PAUL HASTINGS JANOFSKY & WALKER LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PFIZER INC. PAC
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH & MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA BETTER GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
PHARMERICA INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE AKA PPAC
PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PCIPAC)
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA - PRUDENTIAL PAC)
PURDUE PHARMA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PURDUE PAC)
R.J. REYNOLDS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE; REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC.
RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
REAL ESTATE ROUNDTABLE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REALPAC FKA NATIONAL REALTY PAC
ROCHE INC. GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND
SALLIE MAE INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SALLIE MAE PAC)
SAP AMERICA INC PAO
SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION-SEAFARERS INTERNAT'L UNION OF NA-AGLIWD DIST (SPAD)
SECURITIES INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GLAXOSMITHKLINE PAC)
SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SONNENSCHEIN PAC)
SPRINT NEXTEL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (STA PAC), THE
THE BOND MARKET ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE
TRUCKING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS INC.
UBS AMERICAS FUND FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT
UNION PACIFIC CORP. FUND FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
UNISYS CORPORATION EMPLOYEES PAC
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (TELECOMPAC)
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED PAC (UNITED FOR HEALTH)
UST INC. EXECUTIVES ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
VENTUREPAC
VERIZON WIRELESS/VERIZON COMM INC PAC
WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS EMPLOYEES PAC (DISNEY EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE)
WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
WASTE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES BETTER GOVERNMENT FUND
WELLPOINT INC. WELLPAC
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
WINE AND SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
XCEL ENERGY EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
YAHOO! INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

There are 73 committees who gave indirectly to both Casey and Santorum:
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ALASKA AIR GROUP INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ALLIED CAPITAL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ALLIEDCAPPAC)
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF AUDIOLOGY INC PAC
AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION PAC (BANKPAC)
AMERICAN GAMING ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE; THE (GASPAC)
AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AOTPAC), THE
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN PILOTS' ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ARDA-PAC)
AMERICAN ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION BUILDERS ASSOCIATION PAC
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BCBSM PAC)
BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION NON-PARTISAN COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORP. ASSOC. POLITICAL FUND
CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS
CHEVY CHASE BANK F S B POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CINERGY CORP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CNF INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT OF TEMPLE-INLAND INC. (FKA CMTE FOR GOOD GOV OF TE..)
COMMITTEE FOR/ADV OF SE COTTON (CASC) SOUTHERN COTTONGROWERS INC/SE COTTON GINNERS ASSN
COMPTEL/ALTS PAC
DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION PAC (DELTAPAC)
DIRECT VOICE THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION
DRIVE - DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN INDEPENDENT VOTER EDUCATION - PAC FOR INT'L BROTHERHOOD OF T
DYKEMA GOSSETT FEDERAL PAC
E*TRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION PAC
EBAY INC-COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE INTERNET COMMERCE
FAA MANAGERS ASSOCIATION INC. PAC
FMC CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
FMR CORP. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FEDERAL
FPL PAC FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT CO EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
GENENTECH INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GENENPAC)
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL PAPER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES POLITICAL ACTION TOGETHER POLITICAL COMM
LASALLE BANK CORPORATION FEDERAL PAC, THE
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY-PAC
MANAGED FUNDS ASSOCIATION PAC (MFA PAC) FKA MANAGED FUTURES ASSOC PAC (MFA PAC)
MCGUIREWOODS LLP
MERRILL LYNCH & CO. INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MGM MIRAGE PAC
MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION FUND
MORTGAGE INSURANCE COMPANIES OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
MWH AMERICAS INC. EMPLOYEE PAC
NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA NATCA PAC)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES PAC
NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF THE U S INC POLITICAL ACTION CMTE (NFDA-PAC)
NCR CORPORATION CITIZENSHIP FUND
NELSON, MULLINS, RILEY & SCARBOROUGH FEDERAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
OLDCASTLE MATERIALS INC. PAC
OVERNITE CORPORATION EMPLOYEE PAC (AKA OVERNITE EMPLOYEE PAC)
OWNER-OPERATOR INDEPENDENT DRIVERS ASSN INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA OOIDA-PAC)
PG&E CORPORATION EMPLOYEES ENERGYPAC
PHYSICAL THERAPY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PLANNING SYSTEMS INCORPORATED PAC
PMI MORTGAGE INSURANCE CO FEDERAL PAC
PROVIDIAN BANCORP SERVICES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (QPAC)
QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SHAW GROUP INC/STONE & WEBSTER INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SUN PAC
SWISHER INTERNATIONAL INC PAC FUND
VANGUARD COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
VERIZON COMMUNICATION INC GOOD GOVT CLUB
WAL-MART STORES INC. PAC FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
WASHINGTON MUTUAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WMPAC)
So, see why it took some for Casey Junior to call out Santorum for his ties to the PACs on this list? Casey is the ONLY Democratic candidate for the US Senate who refused to take the pledge not to take money from Lobbyists. To the contrary, at the debate he seemed proud of the fact that so many lobbyists and so many corporate PACs are funnelling money his way.

By selecting Casey as the nominee, Pennsylvania Democrats are surrendering the ability to challenge Santorum on one of his most vulnerable issues -- his lobbyist and PAC ties.

We can do better, a whole lot better, than this.

Cheribusta

Welcome to A Big Fat Slob and, before you ask, no, I am not. I have been using that handle online for about 15 years now. I started with it on a chess site 'lo those many years ago. I chose the handle mainly because it was a source of deep embarassment for my children, who were then in their early teens. It just continued to stick.

This blog is going to start out as being largely about politics, and mainly Pennsylvania politics, and specifically the current Democratic US Senate Primary. What happens after May 16 is anyone's guess. And I could become bored with it as well.

Thanks for playing along.