Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. yesterday joined the chorus of Democratic criticism for Sen. Rick Santorum's book, "It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good."

Bob Casey Jr.

In a statement released by his campaign, Casey, Santorum's likely opponent in next year's Senate race, said that excerpts from Santorum's book showed that he was "out of touch" with economic reality.

"For many Pennsylvania families, having a stay-at-home mother is simply not an option if they want to make ends meet," Casey said, referring to passages in the book that criticize the consequences of having both parents work outside the home.

"Mr. Santorum is clearly out of touch with the economic realities many families are facing. Accusing these working mothers of being selfish or bad budgeters is simply wrong and sadly ironic given the lack of fiscal discipline Mr. Santorum has shown with our federal budget."

John Brabender, a consultant to the Santorum campaign, shot back that it was out-of control Democrats, rather than out-of-touch Republicans who had created the conditions that increased the stress on families.

"Obviously, he didn't read the book in its entirety," Brabender said. Shifting the focus from the passage Casey had criticized, the GOP strategist argued that if the Democrat was genuinely committed to working families, "Mr. Casey should join Sen. Santorum in working for middle-class tax relief. ... Mr. Casey has refused to join Sen. Santorum in working to eliminate the marriage penalty; he's refused to join Sen. Santorum's efforts to make child tax credits permanent."

While Republicans control the White House and both chambers in Congress, Brabender said the budget deficits Casey cited were largely the responsibility of "the out-of-control Democrats."

"Mr. Casey needs to get a better alignment on why so many families are facing tough times. A lot of it has to do with his support and his party's support for higher taxes."