Just as he did with the failed $825 billion stimulus and government-run healthcare, liberal U.S. Senator Bob Casey sided once again with President Barack Obama today and voted in support of his controversial judicial nominee, Caitlin Halligan, for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

While Senate Republicans ultimately blocked Halligan’s nomination, Casey’s vote in support came despite questions raised regarding her anti-Second Amendment positions and controversial positions towards prosecuting the war on terror.  The National Rifle Association (NRA), among others, outlined their opposition to Halligan’s nomination, specifically citing — “Our opposition is based on Ms. Halligan’s attacks on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.”

Remarkably, in 2006 Casey bragged about being a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.

“Votes likes this are the difference between politicians like Bob Casey who like to give lip service to the Second Amendment on the campaign trail, versus actually standing up and defending those rights when they’re in Washington,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh said today.  “Once again, and perhaps when he thought the voters of Pennsylvania weren’t paying attention, Bob Casey showed that he would rather stand with Barack Obama, than stand up for Pennsylvania and our Constitution.”

Flashback … 

On The Campaign Trail Bob Casey Said He Was A Strong Supporter Of The 2nd Amendment 

• In 2006, Casey Said “I’ve Been A Strong Supporter Of The Second Amendment.” “He (Casey) vowed to aggressively court sportsmen’s support by emphasizing his character, his long support for gun owners’ rights and his record in state government. ‘I’ve been a strong supporter of the second amendment, the right to bear arms. That’s evidenced not just by what I’ve said but the support I’ve gotten over the last decade from sportsmen’s groups, including the NRA,’ Casey said.” (Brett Lieberman, “Santorum, Casey Target Gun Vote,” Patriot News, 2/21/06)

• In 2006, Pennsylvanians Believed Casey Was Pro-Second Amendment. “It’s true that Casey Jr. has solid views on the right to life, the Second Amendment right to bear arms and the need for strong national security to protect American lives.” (Stephen Maloney, Op-Ed, “The Irony Of Bob,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 4/14/06)

• In 2006, Casey Said “I Don’t Think The Solution Is To Try To Limit The Right To Bear Arms.” “At 1 million strong, Pennsylvania’s hunters are a politically important constituency, and Casey wasted no time in pledging his fealty to the Second Amendment. Asked whether he’d support a ban on assault weapons, Casey said: ‘I don’t think the solution is to try to limit the right to bear arms.’” (Michael Rubinkam, “On The Campaign Trail: Casey Knocks On Doors, Talks To Hunters,” The Associated Press, 9/16/06)