“Pro-life” Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Jr. made history yesterday at the Democratic National Convention. His eloquence and forcefulness on the issue of life is a modern day Profile in Courage. Casey, a pro-life Catholic Democrat, deserves to be noticed for exhibiting amazing courage in the face of adversity yesterday when he excoriated…he berated…he railed against…uhm…he glancingly mentioned abortion at the Democratic National Convention.
The Washington Post hailed Casey’s historic speech as, “a big deal.” The New York Times wrote famously that Casey, “addressed the abortion question head on.”
A brief history first; Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey Sr. was denied a speaking role in the 1992 Democratic Convention precisely because of his desire to defend the unborn. But now in an effort to prove that the DNC has changed its stripes, Casey’s son, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., was allowed to speak at the 2008 convention. And I think we can all agree his amazing performance was worth the 16 year wait.
For those of you who haven’t read these incredibly brave words from Casey here they are:
“Barack Obama and I have an honest disagreement on the issue of abortion. But the fact that I’m speaking here is testament to Barack’s ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him.”
Wow!My goodness. It’s like hearing the words of Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Paine for the first time. It’s akin to Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death.”
I mean, this changes how I feel about the Democratic Party completely. For you too, right? Look how open they are to pro-lifers. This wasn’t just reaching out to the pro-life community this was an inclusionary man-hug.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget how Casey Jr. bravely failed to advocate for the 40 million innocent victims. Or how he courageously sidestepped any arguments for the pro-life position. Or how Casey heroically ignored the most crucial issue of the day as simply an obstacle to party unity.
I think we’re all going to remember this day for a long long time. Or not.
August 28, 2008 at 4:48 am
The disagreement between Obama and Casey on abortion centers primarily on the importance of the issue.
Obama believes that the abortion issue is vitally important. Casey doesn’t.
August 28, 2008 at 7:49 am
Matthew, that has to be the best blog post headline EVER. I mean it–clever, witty, apt, brilliant and funny.
And your analysis is spot-on, too. Wonderful.
August 28, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Dear Red,
I can’t tell you how I came by this information, but it has come to my attention that Matthew did not actually write that headline. Rather, it was his witty, charming, and handsome brother Patrick.
Evil Matthew refused to clear up the matter just to annoy his saintly brother. He will probably go to hell as a result, but I am sure that Patrick is praying for him, because that is just how wonderful Patrick is.
Signed,
–Not Patrick
August 28, 2008 at 5:00 pm
That is the saddest comment I’ve ever seen. sigh.
August 28, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Casey lies about being pro-life. His pro-life position was just a position in order to better unseat pro-life hero Rick Santorum.
Now that he’s in he’s been turning his back on us at every turn.
Thank you for exposing him.
August 28, 2008 at 5:26 pm
To add to the hypocrisy in the Democrat party, Harry Reid gave a speech about energy but quoted a term that medical students learn early in their education. He said when they look at laws in the Senate, they need to remember, “First, do no harm.” Are you kidding me? Do no harm, but abortion is OK?
Yes, Harry Reid did speak and it was utterly forgettable but I just happened to tune in at the wrong time.
August 28, 2008 at 8:13 pm
“But the fact that I’m speaking here is testament to Barack’s ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him.”
Wow, what a guy. Kind of chokes ya up, don’t it?
Are we truly worthy to have such a man as President?
August 28, 2008 at 9:52 pm
As a pro-life Republican Catholic, I also believe in charity; in this case giving credit where credit is due, and not being petty. I live in a State (CA) where virtually ALL candidates are pro-abortion. I do not see the party denouncing the likes of Schwartzenegger at their conventions. On the contrary, they rely on their star-power and draw. I applaud Casey for his pro-life stance in spite of the pressure he faces to the contrary.
August 28, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Casey buckles on this issue every time a vote comes up. He’s pro-life in name only.
He says the Morning After Pill is just contraception. He voted for taxpayer money to go to Planned Parenthood.
August 28, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Anthony, that is very dishonest of you. Casey supported the Pregnant Women Support Act as well as Alito’s bid for Supreme Court, and has been very vocal about overturning Roe v Wade. The vote you are referring to was one which banned HHS grants to orgs that support abortion, which doesn’t mean he is pro-abortion (which is like saying you will not participate in the US government since it is pro-abortion).
August 28, 2008 at 11:17 pm
He votes to give money to Planned Parenthood and you still call him pro-life. YOu must be grading on a curve. I don’t.
August 28, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Democrats were first the party of slavery, and then the party of Jim Crow, and now the party of murdering babies. This is not progres.
— Mack
August 28, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Or even progress.
— Mkca
August 29, 2008 at 12:17 am
Anthony, all politicians are given a rating (note: not a “curve) regarding this issue. If you did not know this, then you are either not as involved in the issue as you are letting on, or you are again being dishonest.
August 29, 2008 at 1:30 am
They might grade. I don’t. You either defend innocent babies ALL THE TIME. Or you don’t. Casey doesn’t. That’s enough for me.
August 29, 2008 at 1:54 am
…unless the candidate happens to be Republican. In which case I’m betting you simply turn your head and whistle Dixie.
August 29, 2008 at 2:08 pm
This is supposed to be a Catholic blog so let’s try to be civil and not attack each other. I believe there is truth in what deusdonat and Anthony have stated. Yes, we want Casey to come out more strongly in favor of life but he is at least pro-life in a democrat party. We want more Democrats to state their true opinions on abortion. I often wonder where John F. Kennedy would have been on this issue. Why has it come to the point that to be a democrat, you have to favor abortion. This is crazy and I don’t believe reflective of the majority of democrat’s views. We need to encourage democrats like Casey to come out more forcefully on these issues. I pray that the election in November will again be an eye opener to politicians that a majority of American’s are Pro-life.
August 31, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Bob Casey Jr.: “Give Me 15 Minutes and I’ll Overlook Death!”
You mean murder.