October 24 2006
The Times October 21, 2006
Blue-collar Democrats return to their roots
By Tim Reid in Pittsburgh
The cornerstone of Republican success is crumbling after it was built up by Reagan
EVEN in the febrile atmosphere of modern US politics, you can tell a candidate is in really deep trouble when he screams at his opponent during a televised debate: “Quit lying to them Bob! Tell them the truth! You’re lazy!”
The man screaming is Rick Santorum, one man Democrats would love to destroy more than any other in next month’s midterm elections. Mr Santorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, has become one of the most polarising polticians in the country thanks to his abrasive social conservatism. And he is clearly not going down without a fight.
Mr Santorum is the most senior Republican incumbent being targeted by Senate Democrats this year and has been trailing his challenger, Bob Casey Junior, the son of a beloved former governor, for months. Nearly everyone agrees this is because the people of Pennsylvania just don’t like Mr Santorum any more.
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2414298,00.html