Bob Casey Endorses Barack Obama
This is good news for the Obama campaign, especially considering that so many Pennsylvania power-players like Ed “You’ll Accept Slots Parlors in Your Neighborhood Because I Say So and You’ll LIKE IT! Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter have already endorsed Clinton.
The endorsement comes as something of a surprise. Casey, a deliberative and cautious politician, had been adamant about remaining neutral until after the April 22 primary. He had said he wanted to help unify the party after the intensifying fight between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“There are few stronger advocates for working families in Pennsylvania than Sen. Casey,” Pfeiffer said.
By coming out for Obama, Casey puts himself at odds with many top state Democrats - including Gov. Rendell, Rep. John P. Murtha and Mayor Nutter - who are campaigning for Clinton.
The endorsement also comes at a crucial time for Obama, who has been trailing Clinton in Pennsylvania polls by double-digit margins but who also has bought at least $1.6 million worth of television advertising statewide in the last week, more than double Clinton’s expenditure.
Obama strategists hope that Casey can help their candidate make inroads with the white working-class men who are often referred to as “Casey Democrats.” This group identifies with the brand of politics Casey and his late father, a former governor, practiced - liberal on economic issues but supportive of gun rights and opposed to abortion. (Obama favors some gun-control measures and backs abortion rights.)
Obama’s also got backing from Patrick Murphy, who I just love to pieces, and Chaka Fattah, about who I’m ambivalent.
Good for Bob Casey!
One Response to “Bob Casey Endorses Barack Obama”
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March 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Nutter endorses Clinton.
Now I have ANOTHER reason to dislike him!
I wonder how all those folks who voted for him because of his promise to “end the business privilege tax” are feeling right now, hmmmm?