Several reasons (note, these are observations about local politics and do not reflect my opinion of the man):
- 2006 was a bad year for Republicans, and the mid-terms turned out to be a referendum on GWB.
- Many conservatives were disgusted when Rick S. endorsed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in the previous Senate Race. Some have still not forgiven him.
- Some voters were upset that Santorum billed the State of PA for his childrens’ cyberschool education, while they were living in VA. They complained that his listed address in Penn Hills, PA was an empty apartment and that he never lived there. etc.
Also, Bob Casey, Jr. was billed as a “pro-life” dem, who’s father was a very popular governor.
Senior died tragically in 2000 after a lingering illness and Junior rode the wave of sympathy to his own political career which reached its zenith in 2006. The Casey family was to Pennsylvania in 2006 basically what the Kennedy family was to New York and Massachusetts in the late 1960s. As long as Junior can avoid any real debate or confrontation, he will continue to bask in that glow even though it will wane with time.
No Republican could have beaten a Casey in 2006.
The GOP has an uphill battle in 2012 even though Junior has been basically nothing but an Obama stooge and Obama is widely unpopular here. Junior also hasn't said or done anything serious enough to get a lot of people p*ssed off. Indeed, his handlers carefully control his public appearances so that he appears before nothing but friendly crowds. Arlen Specter, at least, had the courage to face the public unscreened and unscripted. As did, of course, Rick Santorum.
And, BTW, the Charter School charge turned out to be totally bogus. The Santorum family owned real estate in Penn Hills, paid property taxes and occupied the place when Dad was home from Washington on business. They had every right to use the Cyber School option for their kids as bonafide taxpayers in the district. The Penn Hills school board member who made it an issue turned out to be a Democrat party hack whose own son was recently convicted here of being part of a home burglary ring. But this is now and then, it wasn't the truth that mattered, it was a fake narrative which was needed to sway a few votes which was, of course, picked up by the media.
So now he wants to haul them all to the White House & let US support them?
Deoes this guy work? What does he do for a living?
The local media blasted this info nonstop, as if it was the crime of the century to have your children live in DC with you when you are a Senator. Also since Santorum was paying Pennsylvania's notoriously sky high property tax bill on his home, I always felt he was justified to get a cyberschool education for his children. Praising with faint Damn, if you ask me, but the locals bought it. Also Casey was sold as a right to life Dem, which may be the key to winning heavy Catholic PA.
IMO, there are three critical swing states that we must win two of: Ohio, PA, and FLA. I think Florida is already toast for Obama, and I believe Santorum can bring in Prolife, Catholic, Anti-Obamacare Pennsylvania.
You're also forgetting that Schumer, as head of the DSCC had made Schumer his #1 target that year. Schumer had indicated that in spite of all the democrat victories in '06, he would have still considered it something of a loss if they hadn't been able to get rid of Santorum.
Apparently a lot of FReepers align perfectly with Schumer when it comes to their views on Santorum...