December News

News

Deadliest year for PA soldiers in Iraq, Santorum pleased with Bush on Iraq Dec 31, 2005

The year was the deadliest year of the Iraq war for the state’s military personnel, with 46 soldiers killed heading into the Christmas holiday weekend — most of them in combat, according to The Associated Press. Pennsylvania has lost more than 100 soldiers since the war began in 2003. Only California and Texas have paid steeper prices...

[PA is ranked 6th in state population, preceded by CA, TX, NY, FL, and IL, according to the 2000 US Census. Estimates of the 2004 by the US Census project CA has three times the population of PA.]

Sen. Rick Santorum said he was pleased with President George W. Bush’s recent efforts to convey the story of success in Iraq. Santorum, in a news release, cited the nation’s parliamentary elections accompanying high participation, fewer acts of violence on the cities’ streets and continuing assistance to the Iraqi army and security forces coming from American and coalition troops as reasons for a brighter outlook next year. He also cited America not having seen another attack on its homeland since Sept. 11, 2001, as reasons for optimism. ‘‘We are a country of resolve,’’ Santorum said. ‘‘We cannot waiver in our mission to secure democracy in Iraq.’’

PA Senate race will be one to watch in 2006 Dec 30, 2005

Santorum scheduled to speak at third Justice Sunday before Alito hearings Dec 29, 2005

The Jan. 8 program, "Justice Sunday III: Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land," follows two previous gatherings designed to rally support for conservative positions on abortion, gay marriage, prayer in public schools and other issues.

Christian television and radio stations across the country plan to broadcast the event from the Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Scheduled speakers include U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R.-Pa., and James Dobson of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.

With his cutting ties with Thomas More Law Center after failure in Dover case, Santorum shows little leadership Dec 29, 2005

Flipped Off: where do groups running ads for Santorum get money and where does Senator stand on hot button issues? Dec 28, 2005

Santorum's change of heart Dec 27, 2005

Has Santorum turned a new leaf? Dec 26, 2005

Intelligent Design: An idea that provoked, but didn't deliver Dec 25, 2005

Conservative American Family Assoc. blasts Santorum for flip flop on Intelligent Design Dec 25, 2005

Push for private accounts trips Bush, Senate debate ended for Santorum in mid-November Dec 24, 2005

Senate agrees to extend Patriot Act for one month Dec 23, 2005

Santorum's comments a surprise to law center Dec 23, 2005

Santorum backs away from controversy over intelligent design, breaks ties with law center that defended Dover school district Dec 23, 2005

Santorum now critical of Dover case, risked double flip-flop, so he now says he is troubled by court testimony that showed some board members were motivated by religion in adopting the policy Dec 22, 2005

Santorum - who sits on the advisory board of the Thomas More Law Center, which defended the school board in court - said the case offered "a bad set of facts" to test the concept that theories other than evolution should be taught in science classrooms. "I thought the Thomas More Law Center made a huge mistake in taking this case and in pushing this case to the extent they did," Santorum said. He said he intends to withdraw his affiliation with the Michigan-based public-interest law firm that promotes Christian values.

Cheney breaks tie in Senate on spending cuts, Santorum votes for cuts [vote #363] Dec 21 & 22, 2005

Defense Dept Appropriations Bill with ANWR drilling attached blocked in the Senate [vote #364] Dec 21, 2005

Federal judge rules against intelligent design in science classroom, blasted school board members for lying in depositions and concealing religious motives, Santorum had praised school board for their courage Dec 21, 2005

"Their asserted purposes are a sham," he [Judge Jones] wrote. "The district's purpose was to advance creationism, an inherently religious view, both by introducing it directly under the label ID and by disparaging the scientific theory of evolution so that creationism would gain credence by default."

In his decision, Judge Jones blasted school board members for lying in sworn depositions to conceal religious motives and to hide the fact that a church donated funds to place copies of "Of Pandas and People" -- an intelligent design textbook -- in the school library.

Santorum backs Bush on NSA spying, Specter calls for hearings Dec 20, 2005

Senators struggle for compromise on Patriot Act, Dems want 3 month extension to renegotiate Dec 20, 2005

Vote NO, the poor should not bear the brunt of deficit cuts Dec 21, 2005

The same administration that gave us spying on Americans, good news bought and paid for in the Iraqi press and a costly war built on elusive rationales now wants to reduce the deficit on the backs of the poor. Americans deserve better -- and the Senate should say so today by voting no.

Stevens holds Senate in session, fight for oil drilling keeps colleagues from holiday break Dec 20, 2005

Santorum pleased with Bush on Iraq Dec 19, 2005

In an unusual move, House passes DOD authorization bill with ANWR drilling, bill now goes to Senate Dec 19, 2005

Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, disputed the notion that Republicans were subverting the rules, though he said a specific provision in the military bill would declare that any new precedent created by including the drilling plan would not alter the rules for future legislation. NYTimes

Both Casey and Santorum favor overturning Roe v. Wade Dec 18, 2005

Profile of Judge hearing Dover Intelligent Design case Dec 18, 2005

Senate rejects extension of Patriot Act, GOP version without compromise positions worked out with Democrats, too weak on civil rights protections, Santorum votes with GOP to consider weakened version, which failed Dec 16 & 17, 2005

Senate passes $8 billion in Gulf Coast tax breaks, without exceptions Santorum wanted in that would have denied breaks to casinos and other recreational industries Dec 16, 2005

Santorum hosts Christmas Under Siege forum Dec 15, 2005

AFL-CIO "report card" on the voting records of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation ranks Santorum at the bottom Dec 15, 2005

Senate expands tax breaks for Gulf Coast, Santorum and Brownback want to follow House and withhold federal assistance to country clubs, casinos, hot tub facilities, liquor stores, massage parlors, golf courses, racetracks and tanning parlors Dec 15, 2005

Patriot Act Reauthorization passes in House Dec 15, 2005

Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer of California spoke in Philly about her book, the War in Iraq and the 2006 Senate race Dec 15, 2005

Senate opposition to Patriot Act grows over failure to expand civil liberties protection, Santorum expected to vote for it Dec 14, 2005

Stealth ads help bring Santorum's approval up to 45%, still trails Casey with 38% to Casey's 50% Dec 14, 2005

SurveyUSA ranks Santorum 95th out of 100 senators for net job approval rating Dec 13, 2005

Ad distortions and Santorum's move to the middle Dec 13, 2005

Santorum's support of Bush hurts re-election prospects Dec 13, 2005

Western PA legislator convicted of using staff for campaign work says he's victim of a Santorum "witch hunt" Dec 13, 2005