::.Angus Reid Consultants.::Casey Keeps Edge Over Santorum in Pennsylvania

::.Angus Reid Consultants.::: "January 27, 2006
Casey Keeps Edge Over Santorum in Pennsylvania

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(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Democrat Bob Casey is still the top senatorial contender in the Keystone State, according to a poll by Strategic Vision. 50 per cent of respondents in Pennsylvania would support Casey in a head-to-head contest against Republican incumbent Rick Santorum.

Casey has been Pennsylvania’s state treasurer since January 2005, and previously served as the state auditor general for eight years. Casey is the son of former Pennsylvania governor Robert P. Casey, and lost the 2002 Democratic primary to current governor Ed Rendell.

Support for Santorum is at 40 per cent. One per cent of respondents would vote for other contenders, and nine per cent are undecided.

Santorum was first elected to the United States Senate in 1994, and earned a second term in 2000, defeating Democrat Ron Klink with 53 per cent of all cast ballots. He had previously served for two consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.

On Jan. 24, Casey said he supported the confirmation of Samuel Alito to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision has drawn criticism from several abortion rights groups, which usually support the Democrats.

The Democratic Party has not elected a Pennsylvanian to a full term in the U.S. Senate since 1962. The election is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Polling Data

If the election for United States Senate were held today, and the choice was between Bob Casey, Jr., the Democrat and Rick Santorum, the Republican, whom would you vote for?

Jan. 2006
Dec. 2005
Nov. 2005

Bob Casey, Jr. (D)
50%
50%
51%

Rick Santorum (R)
40%
39%
36%

Other
1%
1%
3%

Undecided
9%
10%
10%



Source: Strategic Vision
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,200 registered Pennsylvania voters, conducted from Jan. 20 to Jan. 22, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent."