Bob Casey Jr: The Apple Fell Very Far From the Tree

Unlike his father, Casey Jr. abandoned the cause of protecting unborn children for political gain. And unlike his father, he is not leaving the political arena on a high, principled, or inspired note.

Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey ended his political career on a high note: fighting his own political party on behalf of unborn children. During his second term as governor, Casey courageously opposed the Democratic Party’s drift toward the promotion of unrestricted abortion by seeking to address the 1992 Democratic National Convention on that topic. He was denied that opportunity by the Bill Clinton forces who had already made their deal with the devil on abortion — they would stand by the unrestricted abortion regime of Roe v. Wade while disguising their pro-abortion policies that kill innocent babies under the banner of “safe, legal, and rare.” Gov. Casey was, as he later wrote, “banished” from the convention over the issue of abortion. In addition to being denied an opportunity to deliver an anti-abortion speech, Casey had to endure being, in his words, “publicly humiliated” by his own party. Instead, the convention organizers had a Republican pro-abortion woman who had campaigned for Casey’s opponent in 1990 speak to the delegates. Another Democratic politico was distributing buttons that featured a photo of Casey dressed up as the pope. Casey recalled that he had “never felt such deep, bitter hatred — the tyranny of the far left, up close and personal.” But Casey continued to fight publicly for the unborn children, both from his perch as Pennsylvania’s governor and during several media appearances — 60 Minutes, Larry King Live, Meet the Press, and Face the Nation. He was exploring a run for the presidency as a pro-life Democrat candidate. It was not to be, however, due to serious health issues. Then, in 1996, he wrote Fighting for Life, which was part memoir and part a plea to protect the lives of unborn children. Casey’s exit from politics was principled, courageous, and inspiring. Bob Casey Jr. also entered the political arena, and largely based on his father’s legacy and name recognition, won successive Pennsylvania state offices (though not governor)...