This article presents an unbiased comparison of the political positions and policies of Bob Casey and Tom Smith, candidates for the 2012 senate elections in Pennsylvania.
RESULT: Casey beat Smith to win re-election.
Bob Casey Jr., a member of the Democratic party, is the incumbent. He is a lawyer and a politician by profession. In 2006, Casey defeated two-term incumbent Republican Senator Rick Santorum with a margin of 18 points, 59%-41%, one of the largest margin of defeat seen in Pennsylvania history. This was also the first time a Democrat was elected to a full Senate term from Pennsylvania since Joseph Clark was re-elected in 1962.
Tom Smith is the Republican nominee for the 2012 Senate elections in Pennsylvania. He is a businessman and a politician.
Comparison chart
 | Bob Casey | Tom Smith |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Political Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Hometown | Scranton, PA | Armstrong County, PA |
| Religion | Catholic | Lutheran |
| Budget | Supported Balanced Budget Amendment | Supported Balanced Budget Amendment |
| Tax Policy | Increase tax for those earning over $1 million. Tax cuts for small businesses | Opposes tax increases |
| Social Security | Opposes privatization | Supports privatization |
| Health Care | Supports health care reform | Opposes health care reform |
| Abortion | Opposes | Opposes |
| Gay Rights | Opposes gay marriage; supports civil unions | Opposes gay marriage |
| Immigration | Supports extensive reform and increased regulation | Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants |
| Education | Supports increased public funding for school. Opposes school vouchers | No clear stance |
| Women’s Rights | Aims to end the gender pay gap | No clear stance |
| Gun Control | Opposes any restrictions | Opposes any restrictions |
| Energy Policy | Supports natural gas drilling and alternative energy sources | Aims to reduce foreign dependence through oil and clean coal |
| Iran | Supports economic sanctions | No clear stance |
Early Life and Career
Bob Casey was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and received his BA from the College of the Holy Cross in 1982. He earned his JD at the Catholic University of America in 1988 and practiced law from 1991 to 1996. In 1996, he was elected Pennsylvania State Auditor General and held this position until 2005, when he became the Pennsylvania State Treasurer. He won a place in the US Senate in 2006.
Tom Smith grew up on a farm in Armstrong County. After graduating high school, he went to work in a surface coal mine, and in 1989, he began to build his own series of companies in the coal business.
Differences in Economic Policy
Tax Policy
Bob Casey has proposed a tax credit to encourage employers to hire workers, as well as tax cuts for small businesses. [1] He wants to increase the tax rate for those earning over $1 million. [2]
Tom Smith opposes any tax increases [3]. He support a single-rate tax system. [4]
Regulation
Bob Casey supported the Balanced Budget Amendment, a law that would prevent the US government from spending more than its income. [5]
Tom Smith supports a Balanced Budget Amendment and wants to limit federal spending growth to the per-capita inflation rate. [6]
Social Security
Bob Casey opposes the privatization of Social Security. [7]
Tom Smith supports privatizing social security. [8]
Healthcare Policy
Bob Casey supports Obama's health care reform. [9]
Tom Smith opposes Obamacare. He aims to repeal the health care bill and reduce the cost of care by increasing competition across state lines. [10]
Social Issues
Abortion
Bob Casey opposes legal abortion, with exceptions to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. [11]
Tom Smith opposes legal abortion. [12]
Immigration
Bob Casey supports extensive immigration reform, including stricter enforcement at borders. [13]
Tom Smith opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. [14]
Gay rights
Bob Casey opposes gay marriage, but supports civil unions. [15]
Tom Smith opposes gay marriage and would support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. [16]
Women’s Rights
Bob Casey is dedicated to ending the gender pay gap through the Paycheck Fairness Act. He introduced the Campus SaVE Act to address domestic violence and sexual assault on college campuses. [17]
Tom Smith has not spoken about this issue.
Education Policy
Bob Casey supports increased federal and public funding for education. [18]
Tom Smith has not spoken about education policy.
Gun Control
Bob Casey supports the right to bear arms and opposed increased regulation of firearm ownership. [19]
Tom Smith is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and a member of the National Rifle Association. [20]
Energy Policy
Bob Casey supports natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. He supports legislation to develop technologies to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and aims to encourage investment in local alternative energy sources. [21]
Tom Smith aims to reduce American dependence on foreign energy sources by utilizing the country’s own resources, including oil and clean coal. [22]
Differences in Foreign Policy
Position on Iran
Bob Casey supports economic sanctions on Iran. [23]
Tom Smith has not spoken about his policy on Iran.
Opinion Poll Ratings
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Tom Smith (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | June 19-25, 2012 | 49% | 32% |
| Quinnipiac | June 5–10, 2012 | 51% | 32% |
| Franklin & Marshall College | May 29–June 4, 2012 | 42% | 21% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 21, 2012 | 48% | 41% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 17–20, 2012 | 49% | 33% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 8–11, 2012 | 49% | 31% |
| Public Policy Polling | November 17–20, 2011 | 48% | 32% |
Democrat 
Romney 
Obamacare 
Liberal 
Josh Mandel 
Scott Brown
Comments: Bob Casey vs Tom Smith