SCRANTON, Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey voiced his support for President Joe Biden on Monday, affirming Biden’s ability to run a strong race and serve a second term in office. This endorsement comes after a poor debate performance by Biden that has sparked concerns among national Democrats about his candidacy.
Casey’s Defense of Biden
Sen. Casey, a close ally of Biden and a fellow Scranton native, had remained silent on Biden’s debate performance until his public appearances on Monday. During a campaign stop in Scranton, he acknowledged Biden’s lackluster debate but emphasized that voters are more concerned about critical issues such as abortion, labor and voting rights, and the fate of democracy.
“He had a bad night and debate, but I think people know what’s at stake,” Casey told reporters. “I’ve been at this a while, and I know his work. And I also know that the American people and the people of Pennsylvania are going to focus on these races in the way that I just outlined.”
Impact on Casey’s Campaign
Casey, who is seeking reelection in November, refrained from elaborating on why he believes Biden is fit for another term but expressed confidence that Biden’s debate performance would not negatively impact his own Senate race. Pennsylvania, a pivotal battleground state, plays a crucial role in the Democrats’ efforts to retain control of the White House and Senate. Historically, no Democrat has won the presidency without Pennsylvania since Harry S. Truman in 1948.
Republican Response
David McCormick, Casey’s opponent and a former hedge fund executive, has capitalized on Biden’s debate performance, accusing Casey of misleading the public about Biden’s fitness to serve. McCormick has suggested that Biden’s Cabinet should consider invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.
Democratic Concerns and Biden’s Response
Biden’s debate performance has left many donors, party strategists, and Democratic National Committee (DNC) members publicly and privately expressing a desire for the 81-year-old president to step aside in favor of a younger candidate at the Democratic National Convention in August.
In response, Biden spent the weekend at Camp David with his family, discussing their strategy moving forward. His team has characterized the debate performance as an anomaly, arguing that one bad night should not define his candidacy or jeopardize his chances in the upcoming election.
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