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Bob Casey on Civil Rights

Democratic Challenger for PA Senate


No constitutional ban on gay marriage; civil unions ok

Q: What about gay marriage?

A: I don't support gay marriage, but I also don't support a constitutional amendment banning it. That would be tremendously divisive. However, I do support same sex unions that would give gay couples all the rights, privileges and protections of marriage.

Source: The Philadelphia Jewish Voice Oct 9, 2005

Supports Defense of Marriage Amendment

On the Defense of Marriage Amendment (which would ban same-sex marriage). "I support the Defense of Marriage Act [passed in 1996, it defines marriage as a union of a man and woman] and a number of states have passed similar measures. But to have a great constitutional debate about this issue is completely unnecessary. This is used to divide people and appeal to bigotry."
Source: Gar Joseph, Philadelphia Daily News Apr 29, 2005

Allow gay couples to adopt & share employment benefits

Q: What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?

A: Employers should be permitted to extend domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships.

Q: What is your position on legislation prohibiting homosexual couples from adopting children?

A: Oppose

Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia survey of Treasurer candidates Nov 7, 2004

Opposes Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

Opposes legalization of same-sex marriage
Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire Nov 2, 2004

Increased Penalties for Sexual Orientation Hate Crimes

Supports increased penalties for hate crimes committed because of victim's sexual orientation
Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire Nov 2, 2004

Committed to Affirmative Action and diverse workforce

Q: What is your level of commitment to minority communities?

A: When people in this state examine my record on commitment to Affirmative Action and commitment to a diverse workforce and a commitment to doing everything possible in the job I have now to bring that about, I think I'll win that competition easily. In the process of my department shrinking by 80 to 100 people, the percentages of minorities actually increased. Not enough yet, but it increased. We hired, by now, over 200 people, and 20 percent of our new hires were minorities. And our rate of increases in terms of promotions have been higher for minorities and women than they have for the rest of the workforce.

Q: : How do you translate that into encouraging diversity in the workforce for the private sector?

A: A lot of it is leading by example. But we should hold the venture-capital firms accountable for investing in emerging minority-owned firms. That is where you really move the bar.

Source: Interview with Philadelphia City paper May 15, 2002

Other candidates on Civil Rights: Bob Casey on other issues:
PA Gubernatorial:
Ed Rendell
PA Senatorial:
Arlen Specter


2008 Senate retirements:

Wayne Allard(R,CO)
Larry Craig(R,ID)
Pete Domenici(R,NM)
Chuck Hagel(R,NE)
Trent Lott(R,MS)
Craig Thomas(R,WY)
John Warner(R,VA)

2008 Presidential Contenders:

Rep.Bob Barr(L)
Sen.Hillary Clinton(D)
Sen.Mike Gravel(L)
Alan Keyes(C)
Sen.John McCain(R)
Rep.Cynthia McKinney(G)
Ralph Nader(I)
Sen.Barack Obama(D)
Rep.Ron Paul(R)
2008 Senate Races:
AK:Stevens v.Begich v.Cuddy
AL:Sessions v.Figures
AR:Pryor v.Formicola
CO:Schaffer v.Udall
DE:Biden v.O`Donnell
GA:Chambliss v.Cardwell
IA:Harkin v.Rathje
ID:Risch v.LaRocco
IL:Durbin v.Sauerberg v.Stafford
KS:Roberts v.Jones v.Slattery
KY:McConnell v.Fischer
LA:Landrieu v.Kennedy
MA:Kerry v.O`Reilly v.Ogonowski
ME:Collins v.Allen
MI:Levin v.Baron
MN:Coleman v.Franken v.Cavlan
MS4:Wicker v.Musgrove
MS6:Cochran v.Fleming
MT:Baucus v.Bushman
NC:Dole v.Hagan v.Neal
NE:Johanns v.Kleeb
NH:Sununu v.Shaheen
NJ:Lautenberg v.Andrews v.Pennacchio
NM:Wilson v.Pearce v.Udall
OR:Smith v.Merkley v.Novick
OK:Inhofe v.Rice
RI:Reed
SC:Graham v.Cone
SD:Johnson v.Kephart v.Dykstra
TN:Alexander v.Padgett v.Tuke v.Lugo
TX:Cornyn v.Noriega v.Jameson
VA:Gilmore v.Warner
WV:Rockefeller v.Wolfe v.Raese
WY4:Barrasso v.Carter v.Goodenough
WY6:Enzi v.Rothfuss
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Page last updated: 3/31/2008