Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Endorses Barack Obama
In a huge new endorsement that is sure to be an enormous boost to Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, Senator Bob Casey threw his support behind Senator Obama. "I really believe that in a time of danger around the world and in division here at home," Casey said at an Obama rally, "Barack Obama can lead us, he can heal us, he can help rebuild America."
Casey's endorsement yesterday is huge because he is an Irish Catholic who is popular with working-class white voters and he won the Senate race in 2006 with 59 percent of the vote. He is the son of a former governor of Pennsylvania and he knows the state well. Casey will travel to some campaign stops with Obama and he intends to help the Illinois Senator navigate his campaign through the complex politics of the Keystone State he knows so well.
Casey became part of the Democratic shift in the Senate in 2006 when he defeated one of the craziest, most extreme right-wingers ever to serve in the U.S. Senate: Rick Santorum. Casey brings his immense knowledge of his home state and his political experience and acumen to the assistance of the Obama campaign. Casey's base in Scranton, thought to be a Hillary Clinton stronghold, will now be more competitive for Obama.
Interestingly, Senator Casey attributed his decision to endorse Obama, in part, to his own children who lobbied their father to do so. I think this is extremely important to see that young people, even the sons and daughters of Senators, are engaged and energized by the Obama campaign. That phenomenon can only be positive for the nation.
This is exciting news for the Obama campaign. Casey is a hero or sorts to many liberals because he successfully ousted Santorum. Just like Jim Webb in Virginia who took out George "Macaca-Boy" Allen, Casey and Webb represent a breath of fresh air among Democrats. (Also, Webb would be an excellent choice as a running mate for Obama in my opinion.)
Senator Casey said of Obama: "I believe in this guy like I've never believed in a candidate in my life." Now THAT'S an endorsement!
This is more great news for the Obama campaign that is now a bandwagon rolling along, that is unstoppable no matter how negative the Clintons want to play it. He's received the endorsement of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and now Senator Casey, Obama is racking up an impressive record among the so-called super-delegates. Hopefully, John Edwards will endorse Obama on the eve of the North Carolina primary when it will really count.
All this good news for the Obama camp will probably lead James Carville (Mr. Mary Matalin) to call Senator Casey a "Judas" as he did Governor Richardson. But how many more new "Judases" are left in the Democratic Party? This is Obama's year.
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All the Casey endorsement has to accomplish is to shrink Senator Clinton's margin to single digits -- and it will very likely accomplish that. The difference between the two campaigns is already evident here is the Philly suburbs -- neighbors supporting Senator Obama are going door to door on his behalf, while the uninspiring (and very likely cash-strapped) Clinton campaign is just robo-calling. It's a literal case of people vs. the machine! Moreover, one or two major PA pols endorsing Obama might be enough to actually achieve a victory, albeit a very close one.
Casey has no clout. He was elected in 06 as the anti-Santorum and has yet to even prove himself in the Senate. His endorsement is meaningless compared to the mayors of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, and the governor, who have all endorsed Hillary. Casey also needs to think of a better reason for endorsing this guy than saying that his four young daughters are "fans."
He gave plenty of reasons. And if these endorsements are unimportant, then why did Carville and the Clintons get so upset about Richardson's endorsement?
Definitely another one for Obama's V.P. short list. Very intelligent, white male (I don't care but apparently certain people in certain parts of the country are obsessed by this) with a relatively centrist, moderate position and appeal to working class white voters. Awesome. Great get for Obama.
I''ve got it right now at:
1.) Richardson
2.) Webb
3.) Edwards
4.) Sebelius
5.) Casey
Casey is anti-choice and therefore a bad VP choice for the Dems -- but a pretty good bet to remain in the Senate for a while before running for governor once Rendell hangs it up. Imo he has no future in national politics -- his lack of personal charisma and that anti-choice stance hobble him too severely for that.
Edwards on the ticket with Obama?!
Not.
Going.
To.
Happen.
Ever.
Edwards dislikes Clinton. Grapevine in NC is that Edwards can't stand Obama (then again, Bush Sr, couldn't stand Reagan either). That's why Obama had to rush to NC immediately after his vacation because his NC support isn't necessarily as firm as people are led to believe.
Are you going to entertain us with haiku next?
The Clntons and some of their supporters will continue to trash anybody who does not endorse or vote for them.
They will continue to call people Judas and threaten other elected officials like Madame Speaker because of their sense of entitlement to the president.
It started in Iowa with the students who they tried to stop participating in the caucuses, continued to Nevada against the casino workers and unions who endorsed Obama, and by their elected supprters pushing MI and Fl to move foward their primary to benefit one candidate.
Now we hear reports of what is being done in Texas to challenge the county covention.
Unfortunately, this is one of those reasons when people are reminded of why they must ensure that the role of the Clitons in the Democratic Party becomes marginal. I hope that this comes to pass soon.
Calling someone "Judas" is trashing them?
Wow, Obama is going to be torn to pieces in the general election.
And Obama and his ilk will continue to call anyone racist who does not endorse or vote for him. So scared of this label are the spineless superdelegates strong armed into voting for him!
Hillary will drop out when the money stops flowing. The money will stop flowing when the big money Hillary supporters realise that there is no way for her to win the Presidency, and they are just flushing their money down the toilet. Like Romney once the inevitable dawns on her financial backers, she will either have to either spend her own money or quit. My impression is that she will not put her money where her mouth is, so she will quit.
As such given this is likely to happen very soon there is no point in calling for her to leave and upsetting her supporters.
"Hillary will drop out when the money stops flowing. "
...so that makes her like EVERY politician running big-time campaign today. But I'm sure you're already aware that the war will continue under Clinton/Ob
This is an interesting idea, is one to suppose that the "big money" people are only "Quid pro quo" motivated? Or do you think that some actually "believe" in her Clinton enough to "throw the dice," so to speak?
I'm also not sure how endorsements make a difference. Ted Kennedy has been a Massachusetts senator for just about forever, and his endorsement didn't seem to help Obama. I guess it couldn't hurt, but that's all I could say.
it cut her lead in half in a matter of days.
As this gets sorted out, everyone needs to see what Obama's influence already has on our next generation. Something truly amazing is happening! http://www
that was beautiful, and I am glad that poeople are gettong it, it really made me feel great to watch those students who would never has particpated other wise. please america dont be afraid to make a change.
Good video. God bless these kids. But, it's sad that so many are acting as if the only way we move forward is with Obama. The reality is that right now 50% of the country want McCain and roughly 25% are for each Clinton and Obama.
Too bad so many are acting as if they only care if the are to get their way. Step up and do something about the World no matter who is in the White House.
The Obama campaign has put forth a very immature premise. Is the implication that without an Obama victory, these kids in this video will no linger care about their world? If that's the case, who should care about someone who would be so immature?
If the only way to keep people engaged is for them to have their choice of President in the White House, then the World is lost, because election by election we only get our choice half the time.
Maybe the best lesson to learn is that you still gotta stay engaged even when you don't get your choice.
No Bigsid, the implication is NOT that he only way to move forward is with Obama. What the video illustrates is UNTIL Obama, these kids were not aware, nor interested in politics or aware in their own roles in their future. What I took from it was a group of disadvantaged kids from a very tough neighborhood, see their futures as something they have control over. Through hard work, they are getting it that they can grow up to be anything they dream of, even President someday! Obama's presence on the national stage is lifting kids up all over the world to aspire for a promising future for themselves. They finally realize they don't have to be entertainers, big time athletes or drug dealers to "get a head in the neighborhood". They are so inspired, they are paying attention to the politics and getting involved. This from the population all the adults and political "experts" said would never vote! If they see that a candidate they worked for and voted for and believed in, who won fair and square BY THE RULES established, was to lose due to back room deals by a bunch of party insiders with wads of cash, we will lose them for good.
continued:
You can't preach they need to get involved in their future and as soon as they do, yank that out from under them once they achieve their goal. Clinton cannot beat Obama by the rules established, no matter how they try to spin otherwise. It cannot happen unless they succeed in a coup with party insiders over-riding the majority vote of the people. If this contest continues and the Super Delegates can't bring themselves to steal the nomination for Hillary, what is left? the Dem nominee so tarnished by Clinton attacks and false smears, these kids not only will be shoved out of the political process forever, they get to inherit a world with McBombIran as their President. Is that REALLY what you want?
"Maybe the best lesson to learn that you still gotta stay engaged even when you don't get
your choice."
I'm going to hold you to that in November (when Obama is President :)
Superb video! The fact that Senator Obama has inspired these kids to believe they can overcome any obstacle is truly amazing.es
How gratifying Senator Casey's support must be for Senator Obama! As Mr. Palermo states, and as I have seen in other media, Senator Casey is very popular in PA and he should help boost Senator Obama's numbers. How exciting! The campaign is definitely taking a positive turn for Senator Obama!
This is an important endorsement for Obama, in a critical 'blue collar' state that Clinton thought she would do very well in. I believe Sen. Casey is pragmaticly acknowlging that Obama has far closer views of a majority of PA's citizens than Clinton does, especially in a state badly wrecked by the Republican's trade, economic, war and other policies. Perhaps too he doesn't owe Clinton anything and can freely support Obama.
Palermo...
Of course it is your hope, Are You Fibbing, that the American public (or more specifically the voters in PA.) will allow guilt by association to transcend all other considerations when deciding who will be the best President. It is your hope that politics will remain in the gutter and we will not aspire to the higher values of politics dreamed, but not realized, by our forefathers.
Politics will remain in the gutter as long as corporations and anyone else with money to burn so that they make make even more money controls policy. With this current crop of three running for President, the money will continue to write policy as it has since 1980. Talking about ascending to higher values ("change") is a whole different kettle of fish then putting forth a platform to the public that states the corporate influence will stop, which NONE of these three have done. Whoever gets the Presidency, nothing will change with these three. The war will continue, money will be stolen because of it, and policy will continue to be written by the likes of Exxon. But wait, we actually HAD dem candidates that spoke of these issues, single-payer health care, too boot. But the heard of democrat voters wanted the slick, big money candidate, who could afford to spend a shit-pile on campaigning, and the corporate media loves a politician with money to spend, and we end up with old man McCain and identical candidates in Obama and Clinton (though, right now, it's more hip to be black than a woman, especially with the 20-year-old first time voters) Now go vote for your little "change" candidate and stay nice and smug about it, and come back and talk when they don't stop the war and they continue to let lobbyists bribe politicians in broad daylight.
cheforacle
I don't usually agree with AreYouFibbing, but in this case, he is right. I'm an Obama supporter, and as much as I would like to believe that this endorsement will help him, I don't think it will. People are not necessarily inclined to vote for someone just becuase a political bigwig (or, in the terms of today, superdelegate) told them to. (It would be great if that was because they were educated themselves, but with Bush in for the last seven years, I can't make that case very easily, can I?) If he's got an organization, that might be worth something, i guess (although Obama's campaign people seem to be pretty good at organizing themsleves).
Speaking as a PA voter, the thing that makes the Casey endorsement worth a little more here than some others would be is, as mentioned, what a hero he is to many Dems in the state for not only defeating Santorum, but doing it so decisively. I know a lot of people who still smile uncontrollably when they think about that day and the residual good will is still with Casey in a big way. Even if many us would like 5 minutes in close proximity to him with a pair of tweezers to work on that unibrow.
they've also been watching the loop of hillary's "ducking sniper fire" video. honesty and integrity trumps radical sermons.
also -- pastor wright's full speech has been getting major hits on youtube. when people see the full context they relax a bit.
obama won't win PA but he'll close the gap if people are willing to listen.
Not when you've been maligned for years as a liar anyway. Tuzla isn't having the effect the Obama people have been hoping for. Wright has had a much harsher effect on him than it has for her. Obama's unfavourable rating now trails her by less then 7 or 8 points now amongst the general populace. This is why Obama surrogates have been incessantly pushing the idea of HIllary dropping out.
You're absolutely correct. I'm in PA and the Casey endorsement is no big thing.
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