The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has signaled its preference -- sometimes subtly, sometimes not -- for Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. in next year's bid to oust Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), and for Rep. James R. Langevin (D-R.I.) in the race against Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R-R.I.). Casey and Langevin describe themselves as pro-life. Abortion rights groups are miffed at the DSCC for appearing to back the two men long before the 2006 primaries, which will include prominent Democrats who favor abortion rights.

"It's disturbing," said Kate Michelman, a past president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "It concerns women and it concerns the pro-choice community that the party would preempt the [nominating] process and anoint someone who doesn't share the party's core values" -- in this case, legalized abortion.

The issue is especially troubling in Pennsylvania, Michelman said, where former state treasurer Barbara Hafer is not only a proponent of abortion rights but is also viewed by many as a woman who has earned a shot at the Senate. Noting that Santorum is one of Congress's most outspoken opponents of abortion, Michelman said Democrats should offer voters a clear contrast rather than another "anti-choice candidate" such as Casey...

The Senate's top Democrat -- party leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) -- also opposes legalized abortion. Shortly after the November elections, he said Senate Democrats have no "litmus test" on the issue, and he urged Democrats to work harder on ways to reduce unwanted pregnancies...

By Charles Babington, Washington Post, Feb13, 2005