Possible Dem Senate Candidates are Catholic and Pro-Life

The Fact Is has a piece on some 2006 Senate race posturing. The interesting thing about the two pro-life Democrats mentioned is that they are both Catholic.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, smarting from the loss of six Senate seats in two election cycles, are trying to field the strongest possible candidates against vulnerable Senators Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), both of whom face re-election in 2006.

Only problem is, the strongest Democratic candidates in both states are pro-lifers.

Neither Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D) nor Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), both of whom are opposed to abortion rights, has announced he will run, but the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is actively recruiting both to challenge incumbents in their respective states.

Abortion rights activists were livid Wednesday when they received an invitation to a Feb. 16 fundraiser for Langevin that is being sponsored by the DSCC.

In the House, Langevin votes mostly pro-life, whereas the liberal Republican Chafee supports legal abortion. A new poll shows Langevin beating Chafee by 20 points, so what are Democrats to do?

Likewise, Bob Casey -- a statewide officeholder with a well-recognized political name -- would almost certainly be the strongest Democratic challenger to Santorum if he could escape a primary. Many pro-lifers in Pennsylvania are still upset with Santorum for saving Sen. Arlen Specter (R) from a hot conservative challenge. They will have no qualms voting for the pro-life Casey and ending Santorum's career.