...We called him up, asked him about five controversial issues. We got straight answers. No spin. No Kerry-style nuance. It must drive his consultants crazy.

Like it or not, this is where Casey stands:

Iraq. "Once it was under way, like a lot of Americans, I was supportive of what our troops were trying to do there, based on what we were told by our government. We found out later the intelligence was, at best, faulty and, at worst, misleading. We can learn a lot of lessons from that, but the key thing now is to finish the job."

Terry Schiavo. "I think you should err on the side of life. I think some kind of congressional review was appropriate. But I don't think our elected representatives should've been going to the site. The last thing they needed there, with all the tragedy, sadness and controversy, was a politician in either party to go there. It's very difficult for an elected official to judge or second guess what a family does in those circumstances. That situation shouldn't have been used to divide people for political purposes."

Defense of marriage amendment (which would ban same-sex marriage). "I support the Defense of Marriage Act [passed in 1996, it defines marriage as a union of a man and woman] and a number of states have passed similar measures. But to have a great constitutional debate about this issue is completely unnecessary. This is used to divide people and appeal to bigotry."

Ten Commandments. (The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to ban displays of the 10 Commandments in government buildings, as a violation of separation of church and state.) "I don't oppose [such displays]. I do think politicians spend a lot more time talking about that question than trying to live the 10 Comandments. No matter what your religious beliefs, there are some universal truths in those commandments that we all ought to live by."

Banning the filibuster. Senate Republicans want to ban the traditional delaying tactic now being used by Democrats to block some of Bush's judge nominees. "I think it's a mistake to end the filibuster. The Senate has to advise and consent on nominees. It's not there to be a rubber stamp for either party. The filibuster might be the last procedure in Washington that forces bipartisanship. It forces compromise and I think people want us to work together to get things done."

Casey also said that he has not softened his pro-life stance and that no national Democrat has asked him to follow a party line.

"They know where I stand and know I'm very independent," he said.

One last question. Does Casey dare unleash the most potent political weapon in Pennsylvania - the cute Casey daughters?

"I want to win, so that's very likely," Casey said. All four of them? The gloves are off.

Gar Joseph, Philadelphia Daily News, Apr. 29, 2005

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