Pa. senate candidates debate work ethics

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Pa. senate candidates debate work ethics

By PETER JACKSON, Associated Press WriterMon Oct 16, 12:37 PM ET

Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record) and his Democratic opponent took jabs at each other in a morning radio debate Monday, each accusing the other of not focusing enough on the real work of politics.

Santorum said Democrat Bob Casey skips too many days in his job as state treasurer, while Casey said Santorum spends too much time writing political talking points for GOP candidates.

The debate on KYW-AM during the morning commute followed themes similar to the candidates' first two debates, with Casey saying Santorum, the Senate's No. 3 Republican, shares responsibility for creating a "toxic" culture in Washington and with Santorum accusing Casey of not understanding the issues.

Santorum, who is seeking a third term, has trailed Casey in the polls in one of the nation's most competitive Senate races.

The two campaigns reported Monday that they have nearly the same amount of cash to spend in the final weeks leading up to Election Day — Santorum's campaign announced Monday he had finished the quarter that ended Sept. 30 with $3.6 million on hand, while Casey's said it ended the period with $3.7 million.

Overall, the Republican incumbent has raised $23.2 million for the campaign — a record for a Senate candidate in Pennsylvania. Casey has raised $14.7 million.

The exchange during the morning debate over work ethics came as Santorum touted legislation that he has sponsored to help curb gun violence in cities like Philadelphia.

"I do my job. I show up to work. I do what I'm supposed to do," Santorum said, citing published reports about Casey's 50 percent attendance record. Casey, the son of the late governor Robert P. Casey, replied that the same reports indicated that Santorum spent much of his time campaigning and fundraising.

"Everybody works hard, Rick," Casey said. "Don't lecture me or anybody else about who works hard."

Casey said he favors doubling the number of people in the military special forces within five years, a timetable Santorum called unrealistic. The senator dismissed the proposal as a meaningless talking point.

"The only expert on talking points in this campaign is Rick Santorum," Casey said. "Your job is using talking points. You're head of the (Senate) Republican Conference. Your job is to write talking points for your party and you're very good at it."

On another hot topic, Santorum said he was referring to wealthy families with two working parents — not those from low or middle-income brackets — when he suggested in his book that one parent should consider staying at home to spend more time with their children.

"I have nothing, absolutely nothing against working women," he said.

Their final debate was scheduled for Monday evening.