Thread: Santorum steaks out S. Phila.

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Posted on Wed, Jun. 21, 2006


Santorum steaks out S. Phila.
He visited Geno's, focus of the immigration issue, which could bolster his conservative power base.
By Thomas Fitzgerald
Inquirer Staff Writer

Sen. Rick Santorum (R., Pa.) had his cheesesteak wit' political symbolism in a visit to Geno's Steaks late Monday, when he posed for photos behind the grill with a spatula in hand.

The unscheduled drop-by at the epicenter of an international media storm over owner Joey Vento's English-only sign came as Santorum is hitting illegal immigration hard on the campaign trail.

Nationally, the issue has galvanized the conservative base that Santorum will need to catch his Democratic opponent, Bob Casey Jr., who for months has led in state polls. Illegal immigration has taken center stage in the Senate race in recent weeks.

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Santorum's recent radio ads claimed Casey had "joined with Ted Kennedy and other liberals in supporting a bill that grants amnesty to millions who've entered our country illegally." Casey responded with an ad - set to music of the "Mexican Hat Dance" - that contrasts Santorum's current tough talk on illegal immigrants with earlier, softer stands.

Santorum's campaign denied that the Geno's visit was calculated. A campaign spokeswoman and South Philadelphia Republicans said that local supporters tipped off the Philadelphia Daily News, which took a picture of the senator and quoted him giving a quasi-endorsement of Vento's sign.

"He's gone to Geno's once a month for years, and the bottom line is he just wanted a cheesesteak," said Santorum spokeswoman Virginia Davis.

Santorum was in Philadelphia to open a southeast regional campaign office Monday when he made the visit a little before 10 p.m. He was quoted as saying that it "makes all the sense in the world" for Vento to post a sign that says: "This is America. When ordering, please 'Speak English.' " After all, Santorum said, the menu is simple.

"We think Joe Vento has the right to run his business as he pleases, but we're guessing he doesn't know about Rick Santorum's hypocritical record on illegal immigration," said Saul Shorr, a Casey consultant.

He cited an April op-ed article in which Santorum spoke of the need for reform to "bring those illegal workers in from the edge of society." The Casey campaign also points to what was, until corrected recently, contradictory language on Santorum's Web site on the issue: In Spanish, he favored "balance," and in English, he decried "amnesty."

In 2000, Santorum lost South Philadelphia, getting 15,947 votes in the seven major wards there, to 55,931 votes for Democrat Ron Klink.

When he was elected to the Senate in 1994, Santorum received 13,361 votes in South Philadelphia. Then-Sen. Harris Wofford (D., Pa.) got 33,827.

"Rick's got a solid base down here - he's known and liked," said Jimmy Dintino, a former GOP leader in the 26th Ward. "People appreciate his conservative principles." They also like Santorum's fight against New Jersey's opposition to dredging the Delaware River to deepen the port, Dintino said.

The area will be a battleground in any case. Strategists on both sides, and independent political analysts, know that Santorum must keep the Democratic margin of votes from Philadelphia as low as possible to win statewide.


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Contact staff writer Thomas Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.

Casey supports the Kennedy - McCain bill. Guess who I'm voting for in November

I'll second that and I'm from Casey's home town!

Santorum's going to have to come out strong on NO AMNESTY to pull those that might want to sit this one out in anger & frustration into the voting booth.

Quinnipiac University Hamden, Connecticut

Polling Results

June 21, 2006 - Casey Over 50% In Pennsylvania Senate Race,

Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Bush Gets Small Bounce On Iraq

Pennsylvania voters give Democratic State Treasurer Robert Casey Jr. a 52 - 34 percent lead over incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, with 12 percent undecided, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a 49 - 36 percent Casey lead in a May 11 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, Republicans back Sen. Santorum 68 - 20 percent, while Democrats back Casey 80 - 9 percent and independent voters back the Democrat 54 - 30 percent. Men back Casey 51 - 40 percent and women back him 54 - 28 percent. Their mind is made up, 67 percent of voters say.

Republicans who say they are conservative back Santorum 76 - 14 percent while Republicans who say they are liberal or moderate back Santorum 54 - 30 percent.

Among Casey supporters, 44 percent say their vote is mainly against Santorum.

"Sen. Santorum appears to be his own worst enemy in his battle for re-election. More than 40 percent of those who say they will vote for Democrat Bob Casey say they are really voting against Santorum. And less than 40 percent of all voters say Santorum deserves to be reelected," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The Senator is going to need a spectacular debate performance and a powerful advertising campaign if he does not want to become part of the anti-Bush, anti-Republican backlash," Richards added.

Pennsylvania voters give Santorum a negative 38 - 45 percent approval rating, the incumbent's lowest approval rating ever and down slightly from 41 - 44 percent May 11. By a 45-37 percent margin, Pennsylvania voters say Santorum does not deserve to be reelected. President's Approval

Pennsylvania voters disapprove 62 - 34 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing overall, compared to 66 - 30 percent May 11, the President's lowest approval in Pennsylvania. Voters also disapprove 62 - 35 percent of his handling of the situation in Iraq, compared to 67 - 29 percent May 11. Going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do, voters say 57 - 38 percent, unchanged from May 11.

Looking at the situation in Iraq:

* 12 percent of voters say increase U.S. troop levels;
* 24 percent say keep current troop levels;
* 27 percent say decrease troop levels;
* 31 percent say remove all troops.

"President Bush's approval rating and support for the war in Iraq have increased slightly in the last month, probably the result of the death of a major terrorist figure and the President's surprise visit to the war zone. But both Bush and the war remain unpopular in Pennsylvania and if there is no change, those strong negatives could hurt Republican candidates on the ballot across the state in November," Richards said.

From June 13 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,076 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research. For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Arlen Specter is handling his job as United States Senator?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Approve 52% 46% 61% 47% 52% 52%
Disapprove 36 40 30 42 39 33
DK/NA 12 14 9 11 10 14



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Approve 54% 53% 55% 55% 42% 48% 52%
Disapprove 37 36 30 38 37 44 33
DK/NA 9 11 16 7 21 8 15



TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Arlen Specter is handling his job as United States Senator? (* Also hit 60% on 5/22/2003 & 2/21/2003)

Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Jul 13 Apr 22
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005* 2004



Approve 52 55 53 56 57 60 47
Disapprove 36 33 32 32 31 30 36
DK/NA 12 12 14 12 11 10 17






4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Santorum is handling his job as United States Senator?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Approve 38% 64% 26% 25% 41% 36%
Disapprove 45 21 59 57 47 43
DK/NA 16 15 15 18 11 21



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Approve 34% 27% 46% 35% 48% 39% 42%
Disapprove 61 57 31 52 34 52 33
DK/NA 5 16 23 13 18 8 24



TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Santorum is handling his job as United States Senator? (* Also hit 56% on 8/7/2003 and 2/21/2003)

Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Dec 17 Jun 21
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2003* 2006



Approve 38 41 44 43 48 56 38
Disapprove 45 44 40 42 38 29 45
DK/NA 16 15 16 15 14 15 16






5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Approve 34% 69% 13% 22% 39% 30%
Disapprove 62 27 84 72 59 64
DK/NA 4 4 2 5 2 6



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Approve 33% 12% 31% 31% 45% 43% 43%
Disapprove 63 83 64 66 50 53 52
DK/NA 4 5 5 3 5 4 5



TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?

Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Jun 5 May 11
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2002 2006



Approve 34 30 35 37 38 73 30
Disapprove 62 66 60 59 59 21 66
DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 6 3






11. Is your opinion of United States Senator Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Favorable 28% 50% 12% 23% 33% 23%
Unfavorable 35 16 47 43 38 32
Mixed 19 18 17 19 14 23
Hvn't hrd enough 19 16 24 14 15 22
REFUSED - - - 1 - 1



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Favorable 27% 18% 26% 29% 25% 28% 34%
Unfavorable 52 34 27 39 28 38 27
Mixed 13 25 20 17 19 22 17
Hvn't hrd enough 7 23 26 15 28 11 21
REFUSED - - - - - 1 1



TREND: Is your opinion of United States Senator Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?

Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Oct 6 Jul 13
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005



Favorable 28 27 32 31 35 33 37
Unfavorable 35 36 32 29 28 30 27
Mixed 19 18 18 22 21 19 17
Haven't heard enough 19 19 19 17 14 18 19
REFUSED - 1 - 1 - 1 1






12. Is your opinion of State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Favorable 26% 17% 36% 25% 29% 24%
Unfavorable 11 17 4 15 13 9
Mixed 20 17 22 19 18 22
Hvn't hrd enough 42 48 39 40 39 44
REFUSED 1 1 - 1 - 1



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Favorable 36% 28% 37% 23% 24% 26% 20%
Unfavorable 16 9 5 10 12 17 11
Mixed 14 28 20 17 14 20 24
Hvn't hrd enough 35 34 38 49 50 37 44
REFUSED - 1 - - 1 - 1



TREND: Is your opinion of State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?

Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Oct 6 Jul 13
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005



Favorable 26 25 33 34 40 38 39
Unfavorable 11 11 10 6 6 9 9
Mixed 20 18 16 22 18 20 17
Haven't heard enough 42 46 40 38 34 33 36
REFUSED 1 1 1 - 1 1 1






13. If the 2006 election for Senator were being held today and the candidates were Bob Casey Jr. the Democrat and Rick Santorum the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Casey 52% 20% 80% 54% 51% 54%
Santorum 34 68 9 30 40 28
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 2 1
DK/NA 12 11 10 14 7 16



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Casey 61% 72% 52% 51% 42% 53% 42%
Santorum 28 12 35 37 37 37 42
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 - - 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 - 7 1
DK/NA 9 14 13 10 21 3 15



REPUBLICANS ....
Consrv Lib/Mod



Casey 14% 30%
Santorum 76 54
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1
DK/NA 8 13



TREND: If the 2006 election for Senator were being held today and the candidates were Bob Casey Jr. the Democrat and Rick Santorum the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Oct 6 Jul 13
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005



Bob Casey, Jr. 52 49 48 51 50 52 50
Rick Santorum 34 36 37 36 38 34 39
SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 1 1 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE 1 2 2 2 2 2 1
DK/NA 12 12 12 10 10 11 11






13a. (If candidate choice q13) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election?

CANDIDATE CHOICE Q13..
CAND OF CHOICE
Tot BC RS



Made up 67% 70% 61%
Might change 33 29 38
DK/NA 1 1 1






14a. (If "Santorum" q13)Is your vote more for Santorum or more against Casey?

SANTORUM VOTER Q13..
Tot Men Wom



For Santorum 78% 78% 78%
Against Casey 14 14 15
DK/NA 8 8 7






14b. (If "Casey" q13)Is your vote more for Casey or more against Santorum?

CASEY VOTER Q13....
Tot Men Wom



For Casey 50% 46% 53%
Against Santorum 44 50 38
DK/NA 7 4 9






15. Looking ahead to the 2006 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Rick Santorum deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom



Yes/Deserves reelection 37% 65% 19% 31% 42% 31%
No/Does not 45 20 62 52 47 42
DK/NA 19 16 19 18 10 26



Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl



Yes/Deserves reelection 36% 21% 38% 35% 38% 43% 43%
No/Does not 59 57 35 49 32 50 34
DK/NA 5 22 27 16 30 6 23



TREND: Looking ahead to the 2006 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Rick Santorum deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?

Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Feb 13 Dec 13 Oct 6 Jul 13
2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005



Deserves reelection 37 37 43 41 45 41 45
Does not 45 45 41 44 40 42 38
DK/NA 19 18 16 15 14 17 17


© 1999-2006 Quinnipiac University. www.quinnipiac.edu