With a sturdy genealogy linked to politics and Pennsylvannia, Bob Casey jr. was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.  Bob upset incumbent conservative Republican Rick Santorium who is currently seeking the Republican nomination for the office of President of The United States.  Bob Casey sr. was a popular Governor in the state. This time around Senator Casey will be standing on his own two feet.

Republicans will link Casey to President Obama whose approval rating in the state has slumped since his election in 2008.  Casey has stood shoulder to shoulder with the President in opposition to Republican initiatives to increase the struggles of We The People.  In Pennsylvania, history suggests that candidates rise and fall based on their connections to the President.   Indeed, it was Santorum’s allegiance to President Bush that opened the door for Casey in 2006.

President Obama has not fared well in recent polls in the state.  This time around Casey is banking on the state’s track record of supporting candidates that have reasonable solutions.  Senator Casey is a much-needed voice for We The People.  The Senator drew kudos for challenging The House Republicans in regards to the recent fiasco linked to the temporary extensions of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.  Casey can be counted on to fight hard for the more permanent payroll tax cut upon his return to Washington.

The Senator has been a busy contributor on behalf of his constituents.  He has co-sponsored or sponsored much legislation.  Senator Casey was particularly active in 2011.  Residents of Pennsylvania have received full value for Casey’s efforts.  In addition to his forward thinking, We The People legislation,  Casey has been involved with many of the most important Committees in Congress.

Today, the Tea Party put forth an agenda that targets 2012 primary and elections races that will impact how We The People will be treated after the 2012 elections.  Surprisingly, not all the targets are Democrats.  Turns out that the Tea Party views Democrats and traditional Republicans with equal contempt.  This political reality raises the question, ”is it possible that traditional Republicans and Democrats could work together to undermine  the Tea Party?”  Many Republicans must wonder “with friends like these who needs enemies?”

Let’s face it.  This Congress is the most dysfunctional assembly of mixed ideologies to ever grace the Halls of Congress.  Today’s Pew Research Institute shows Congress has an approval rating of 9 percent.  Unfortunately, We The People think 9 percent is too  generous.  

After two years of manhandling majority stooge in the House Boehner and puppet Minority Leader in the Senate, Mitch McConell,  it is apparent that the Tea Party and Grover Norquist rule Congress.  As badly as Boehner and McConell have performed, they simply do not have the leadership skills to follow their Constitutional mandate to serve We The People.  Rather, they have chosen to support an obstructionist platform that favors We The Few.

Voters must understand that the Tea Party has manpower far superior to the Occupy movement.  Tea Partiers live to obstruct government and seem to coordinate an effort to suppress the rights of We The People.  As we consider the Tea Party targets, let’s always remember that Grover Norquist and the Tea Party do not believe We The People are worthy of retirement programs, Medicare or Medicaid or a great educational system.  Instead, we should not aspire to advance our position without the resources we need to move ahead.

However, we are qualified to fight the nation’s wars (as long as we are not gay) and not to expect a job when we come home from our multiple tours of duty.  What a travesty!

Below are some of the interesting seats the Tea Party would like to claim in 2012. 

Michigan - Incumbent Democrat Senator Debbie Stabenow will be opposed by the state’s former Education President, Clark Durant.  There are nine potential candidates for this Senate seat. Interestingly, former Representative Pete Hoekstra was not conservative enough for the Tea Party who met in November to determine who they would support.  Stabenow is unchallenged by a Democrat in her relection bid.  Last time around Stabenow gathered 57 percent of the vote against Mike Bouchard.

Senator Stabenow served in the House before joining Maria Cantwell as the first women to defeat an incumbent, defeating incumbent Spencer Abraham.  The junior Senator from Michigan has worked consistently to further We The People legislation.  She has served as Secretary for the Democratic Caucus. Additionally she served on the following committees. 

1. Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on the Budget
2. Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit (Chair)
3. Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology
4. Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms
5. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
6. Subcommittee on Energy
7. Subcommittee on Energy
8. Subcommittee on National Parks
9. Subcommittee on Water and Power (Chair)
10. Committee on Finance United States Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Programs (Chair)
11. Subcommittee on Healthy Care
12. Subcommittee on International Trade and Global Competitiveness
13. Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight and Long-Term Growth

Senator Debbie Stabenow is an established voice in the Senate.  We The People cannot afford to lose a voice of reason with experience in critical areas.  We The People cannot afford to lose Senator Stabenow.

Wisconsin – In a state where Tea Party Governor Scott Walker is facing a recall via a petition with traction and more than 550 signatures, incumbent Democratic Senator Herb Kohl is retiring.  Republican former Governor Tommy Thompson is slated to run. He does not have Tea Party support.  Democrat incumbent House member, Tammy Baldwin will be tested in a primary battle.  In addition to Thompson, there are three other possible candidates.  So far, the Tea Party is uncommitted.

Thompson will present challenges.  The Democratic primary winner may get a boost from Walker’s stance against organized labor and his legislation to trim education services.  We The People need to derail Thompson or a Tea Party choice. Because Rep. Baldwin may leave the House, this is one Senate seat Democrats must hold.

Utah – Incumbent Senator Orin Hatch is one of the Senate’s ranking members. He supports a balanced budget and is strong on anti-terrorism.  In an effort to sway Tea Partiers, who defeated incumbent Senator Bob Bennett in 2010, Hatch has shifted noticably to the right.

The Democrats will need a unified effort for either candidate.  Pete Ashdown is the CEO and founder of Utah’s largest Service. He was thrashed by Hatch in 2006.  However, he is well-funded and will present Hatch as typical of the Republican inspired gridlock. Businessman Christopher Stout will oppose Ashdown.

Indiana – Democrats have a chance to grab a seat from incumbent Senator Richard Lugar who will run for reelection but does not have Tea Party support. The Tea Party prefers State Treasurer Richard Mourdock,  Hopefully Lugar will be forced to tap into a hefty reelection war chest.  The Tea Party has hits the streets in their support.

Incumbent member of the House, Joe Donnelly has an excellent chance of dislodging a Republican Senate seat. Donnelly is a successful member of the Blue Dog Coalition. In the House, he cosponsored HR 976, The Small Business Tax Relief Act.  Rep. Donnelly has advocated for tax relief for Hoosiers since elected to office.  He has broad appeal to Democrats and Independents and has the drive and experience to represent Indiana in the Senate. He has served on the following committees:

1. Committee on Financial Services
2. Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
3. Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade
4. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
5. Subcommittee on Health
6. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Ranking Member)

Donnelly is well credentialed.  He is a friend to small business and a strong voice in the financial services sector.  We The People need more senators like Joe Donnelly.  He is a proven winner in Indiana but he needs our help.  This is a precious seat that We The People can win.