On Friday Pennsylvania senator Bob Casey officially endorsed Barack Obama as president. Now it seems like the 2 freshman senators are quickly becoming best friends. The Washington Post from March 30, 2008 chronicles the friendship: Their weekend road show across the Keystone State stopped at factories, hot dog stands, sports bars and bowling alleys, where the two kept score as "Bar" and "Bob." The freshmen senators played basketball, milked cows in matching new Timberland boots, and shared the stage here Sunday at Penn State University before 22,000 cheering fans.
But, exactly how good is this friendship?
Well, first it is very important b/c senator Casey had stated early on in the race that he would remain neutral. And in his state Hillary Clinton is actually leading by 12 percentage points. So, by going against the grain and openly supporting Obama he has the potential to change the opinion of Pennsylvania which could be very important come voting time.
But, this friendship goes beneath the surface. Each has something to gain from the other. For Obama, Casey is the gatekeeper to the older, working-class, white voters who form the core of the Clinton constituency and who must turn out strongly in November for Obama, should he emerge as the Democratic nominee. These so-called "Casey Democrats" revered Casey's late father, former governor Bob Casey Sr., and helped Casey Jr. easily defeat Republican Sen. Rick Santorum in 2006. For Casey, Obama's base of college students, African Americans and upper-income voters are vital to broadening the 47-year-old former state auditor's appeal beyond the smokestack set, should he run again for governor. In 2002, Casey lost a bitter Democratic primary battle with Edward Rendell, the former Philadelphia mayor, for his father's old job. Rendell won the general election and now backs Clinton in the Democratic presidential race.
With so much on the line for each senator it's only going to take one slip up and the media will be all over it. So, the question I have is do American's support an alliance like this with so much to gained or lost? And do people think it will work out or is it just going to be another relationship to mar Obama's record?
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I believe that this may work for Obama. I am not for Obama so it won't work for me. lol But this could work for him and his supporters. I try not to get to much into political matters....and I know that is bad but all that happens is people argue with me and I hate it. It doesn't get anyone anywhere because people are set in their beliefs. Myself on the other hand, can see from other points of view. I can see why people like obama, or I can see why people do things they do. Other people though don't want to even do that. Good blog though!
I am here to inform and help:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!