[SAC Editorial Note: This is not an endorsement of any candidate(s) for political ofiice(s)- it is in fact reporting how candidates in 2006 are reacting to questions on eminent domain abuse as we have the opportunity to ask candidates questions]

This morning, two intrepid Save Ardmore Coalition members went to a home in Haverford for a casual gathering to meet the candidate for United States Senate, Bob Casey.

The SAC members saw a lot of familiar faces including Daylin Leach, Greg Vitali, Connie Williams, and Leigh Anne Smith.

One of the things our members found interesting is that one of the hosts of this morning's gathering is an independent.

Our members remarked at how pleasant and straightforward they found this candidate for U.S. Senate. They also said they had no basis for judgement since this was the only Pennsylvania candidate for U.S. Senate they had ever met! But still, when you are a little fish in a relatively big political pond, you never know how people are going to take you....especially when you bring up that not so sexy-let's keep it on the back burner topic of eminent domain...because face it, a year plus post Kelo, and politicians still would rather walk on nails than touch the topic...especially in PA....we know from first hand experience...

So, it's no great secret why our two members were there, it was to ask Bob Casey about how he felt about eminent domain for private gain and the fact that eminent domain reform legislation is languishing in the United States Senate.

One of our members told the candidate point blank that Senators Santorum and Specter have been in their opinion, ignoring the subject of eminent domain for private gain and not really responding at all on where they stand on the proposed legislation, which would be HR 4128 and Senate Companion Bill S.3873.

Our members said that they had called and written Senators Specter and Santorum recently and several times over the past year and a half about eminent domain and proposed eminent domain legislation, and have never received even a form letter back. (some of our members have had return phone calls which still left them dissatisfied because they basically say nothing) One member told Mr. Casey of all the calls members have been making to Senator Frist of TN, and Specter and Santorum in the past couple of weeks in particular.

This member remarked how interesting it was that eminent domain as an issue was being disregarded by the Senators from Pennsylvania when we all know they know it is both a local and national issue.

Bob Casey did not dodge the questions on eminent domain or try to change the subject. He seemed to concur that private property rights are important to each American, and said he was not familiar with the legislation that is pending.

Our members, johnny on the spot as always, have gathered contact names and numbers and e-mail from Mr. Casey's staffers, and will send to him today information on the legislation and links to www.IJ.org and www.castlecoalition.org .

We'll see what he does.

Our SAC members also noted that a woman running for State Representative in 150th State House District named Olivia Brady came up to them as they were getting ready to leave the neighborhood get together and told them she has been getting eminent domain questions.

Know what that means, people??? It means that the American voter still feels eminent domain is a huge issue.

Our members will send this candidate links on eminent domain as well.

Our members suggested that we reiterate the following: SAC does not endorse candidates. Our members are free to express their own political individuality, but as a group, SAC is a proverbial melting pot and does NOT and will NOT endorse specific candidates...so please, do ask, and don't try to co-opt. We've been through election seasons before

There are 13 days and counting DOWN to get eminent domain legislation passed in the United States Senate.