Get out and vote!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 is primary day for voters in Pa. It's time to get out and support candidates of change. Those candidates are Ed Rendell for governor and Bob Casey Jr. for U.S. Senate. Take a look at the pictures and you'll soon see why I feel that way. Their respective opponets, Republicans Lynn Swann and incumbent Senator Rick Santorum, align themselves with the failed policies of the Bush administration. And it's time to soundly and roundly reject this administration, and the best way to do that is the voting booth.

I don't support Rendell and Casey strictly because they are Democrats, but that has a large part to do with it. I support them because they can and I hope they will be effective agents of change here in Pennsylvania and in Congress. Rendell can help Democrats capture the White House in 2008 and hopefully part of Congress in '06 and '08; and Casey can help overthrow the out-of-touch Republican Congress. I'm confident they both will.

Both candidates are not without warts. Rendell hasn't done much in the way of property tax relief, and that's being charitable. He can, should and must do more. The fact that the legislature is ruled by Republicans doesn't help, but an effective governor much reach across the aisle and compromise and help his constituents. If anything, it's again the lesser of two evils. Sure, Swann was and is a likable guy going back to his football days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But, for starters, here's a guy who hasn't even bothered to vote in elections. Get more on that story Here, and it's from the Philadelphia Inquirer, not some campaign Website. And his campaign manager's explaination of it was even worse than Swann not voting. To make matters worse, Swann could have just about the best positions on just about everything, but seeing the picture above of him with the president completely turns me off. (It also underscores the fact that if he's foolish enough to align himself with this immensely unpopular president, his candidacy probably is and should be doomed.)

Casey is a pro-lifer, and that's the biggest thing that turns me off about him. But, Santorum is even more of an ardent pro-lifer, so that subject's a wash. Moving on to other topics - Casey is the clear winner. Again, just look at the picture of Slick Rick with Bush above, and you see all you need to see. From his homophobic comments, to his brown nosing the president's decision to slap tarriffs on imported steel to his criticism of Clinton's decision to intervene in Kosovo and his taking part in blocking most Clinton's judicial nominees in the Senate long before Democrats did it to Bush, Santorum's been on the wrong side of many issues, and it's time for him and his fellow Republicans to be relieved of their control in the Senate.

Okay, I'm off my soap box. Whatever your opinion, get out there and vote - it's the right thing to do, and the single biggest thing you can do to bring about change in our country and in your respective state.

Registered but don't know where to go to vote? No matter where you're livin', click Here to find out where to go to click that lever.

-For Pennsylvanians- Not registered to vote? Make sure you register for the hyper-critical fall elections by clicking Here.

By voting, getting informed and even becoming involved in your local, state and national campaigns, you can make a difference and help all of us take back our country, no matter your political persuasion.

Go Big Blue.