Who To Believe?

On Monday, the American Spectator accused Senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr. of compromising on the core issues of abortion, stem-cell research, and the filibusters. They said that the Democrats closed ranks behind Casey because they had assurances from him that he would toe the party line on these issues. Now, the Casey camp has shot back, saying that no such conversations took place. I can't vouch for Casey, as I, quite obviously, was not present for any conversations that took place, but both sides have an agenda here.

I have never suggested that Casey is a prize package. He's certainly more liberal that Santorum on a number of issues. Even so, his positions on guns and abortion suggest that he wouldn't be nearly as bad as the left wing of the Democrat Party. He's not his father, but then few politicians are, but it is unlikely that he would compromise on these core issues. The filibusters are a question mark. Here's the thing, though. The filibuster problem should be solved by the end of April. Once solved, the issue of filibusters on judges will not arise again. If the problem has not been solved by the 2006 elections, then having a Republican majority means nothing.

If, as expected, the problem is solved, the conservatives must consider what is in the best interests of the movement. A lack of party discipline is the reason that Senate Republicans did not solve the filibuster problem during the President's first four years. Now, conservatives have the opportunity to crack the whip on Senator Mudd without any realistic chance of losing the Senate. Showing the GOP that they cannot take conservatives for granted is essential for our long-term best interests.

These thoughts are not idle musings. Pennsylvania is the perfect example of why Republicans must learn the lesson of just how important adherence to the conservative line is. The Catholic vote is the most important swing vote in national elections. Catholics are a unique group in that they tend to be socially conservative but fiscally liberal. (I myself don't fit this mold, but many do.) The Reagan Revolution was so successful because it brought Catholics into the GOP fold, and quickly. Catholics are apt to leave just as quickly if Republicans are not actively pursuing a socially conservative agenda, most importantly by reforming the courts. Sen. Mudd's transgressions, should they go unpunished, will contribute to a fatal rift between Catholics and the GOP. We simply cannot allow that rift to occur.