Can Pennsylvania Sen. Casey’s backing help Obama with working-class voters?
Sen. Bob Casey announced his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama at the Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, today.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Jerry Reed had a big hit record a few years ago called, "When You're Hot, You're Hot." These days Barack Obama is hot, especially on Fridays.
Last Friday, just as the Reverend Wright story was threatening to engulf him, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson rode to the rescue with an endorsement of Obama that took Reverend Wright right off the front page. That was followed closely by the news that Hillary Clinton failed to tell the truth about her visit to Bosnia in 1996, portraying herself as someone in a James Bond movie ducking bullets and running for her life. All false.
Now as we approach the Pennsylvania primary in a few weeks, Senator Clinton had locked up all the endorsements that mattered in that state... until today.
Suddenly Senator Bob Casey who had vowed to remain neutral said, "I have changed my mind. I want you to vote for Barack Obama." Casey is just what the doctor ordered for Obama. His constituency is working-class Pennsylvania families – Clinton's strength and Obama's weakness.
'Tis the season of March madness, and every year it seems there is a Cinderella team that comes out of nowhere to make a real run at the national title. So far this year, Cinderella's name is Barack Obama.
Here’s my question to you: Can Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s endorsement help Barack Obama among working-class voters?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Marty writes:
Jack, I really don't think the endorsements make that much of a difference. I think we ought to give Hillary a lot of airtime and see what other lies and nonsense spews out. She managed to lower her standing in the polls while Obama was on vacation.
Chase writes:
Casey's endorsement will do as much for Obama as the Kennedy and Kerry endorsement in Massachusetts.
Keith writes:
The fact that he's a superdelegate, who had originally intended on staying neutral until after the Pennsylvania primary, is far more important to me, Jack. That's one less super who Hillary's "money people" couldn't scare into supporting her. Just the opposite happened, and I believe we'll see even more supers endorse Obama in the coming days.
Jim writes:
The endorsement can't hurt, but endorsements don't really do that much either way. What will matter is if Pennsylvania voters think Hillary the Entitled's Bosnia whopper makes her someone they can trust. After all, this something she said – not what her minister said.
Daniel from Washington writes:
No. Casey is a first-term senator who holds no more experience than the first-term senator he is endorsing… Clinton holds the endorsements in Pennsylvania of the experienced and also those who really hold weight over thousands.
Brian writes:
Jack, Being from Pennsylvania, I can tell you Bob Casey has a lot of swing with the blue collar workers. This helps Obama, but Hillary has a good hold on the state.
Tim from Pittsburgh writes:
Because of Casey, this 53-year-old white working class male will be voting for Obama.
Robert from North Carolina writes:
It couldn't hurt, Jack. What really surprised me was that the Clinton people haven't trashed him yet. This should be a pretty good street fight...no love lost been the senator and the governor. Maybe we should turn to pay per view for this primary.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
No. Obama has already blown it. He's burnt toast.
Jack, personally, I don't care who endorses who.
I am interested in where the candidates stand on issues that are important to me and my family. Even if the Holly Spirit came out with an endorsement of a candidate, I would still have to consider the issues, not who has the popular endorsements.
I doubt it. Many independents, "Reagan Democrats", including those you refer to as 'working class' voters have been turned off by the Pastor Wright tapes, as they and anyone else should be. They might not be enthralled with Hillary but they will take her over an unelectable candidate with loads of baggage (much of which we haven't seen – yet).
By the way, Obama now says he would have left the church had Wright not retired, which strongly implies that he indeed knew how radical the pastor was, all along. Why are you not asking us about that?
I don't know how they relate!!
Both a lifetime lawyers who turned to politics. Both attended great schools and neither's parents had to work 2 or 3 jobs to get them through college either.
The working class have nothing in common with these guys.
It all depends on his standing with the voters in Pennsylvania. We shall see what we shall see.
In word, tremendously. Maybe we will soon see and end to the internecine conduct occurring in this Democratic primary contest. And while we are on the subject of endorsements by elected officials in the State of Pennsylvania, I wonder why we have not heard anything from the news media regarding the racially incentive remarks of Governor Ed Rendell who has endorsed Senator Clinton. On February 06, 2008, in remarks to the Editorial Board of the Pittsburg Post Gazette, the Governor said “Pennsylvania is not ready for a black president.” He then went on to compare Senator Obama to Lynn Swann, the Governor’s Republican opposition in the last Pennsylvania Gubernatorial contest, and said that if Swann had been white with the same intelligence and good looks then he, Rendell, would have only won by about 17 percentage points as opposed to his actual 20 – 22 percentage point margin of victory. In light of the racial sensitivity that has been injected into this Democratic primary contest, how is it that I have not heard any commentator call out Governor Rendell on these remarks, and then ask Senator Clinton to “reject and denounce” them as racially insensitive?
I think the endorsement will stop the bleeding for good, if not help him a bit in his netting of extra supporters. It's just another move in the right direction for him, along with his speech, the Richardson endorsement and oh yeah, the piles upon piles of Clinton foul-ups in the past two weeks, most notably Bill's new claim that only primary contests should count (not caucuses).
Brian
Idaho
Little impact Jack. When the race begins between one republican and one democrat the race becomes either an indictment or approval of George cheney and Dick bush's administration . Er, ah, you know who I mean. Who endorses who or even who the candidates are will be irrelevent.
The fact that he's a superdelegate who had originally intended on staying neutral until after the PA. primary, is far more important to me, Jack.
That's 1 less super that Hillary's "Money People" couldn't scare into supporting her. Just the opposite happened, and I believe we'll see even more supers endorse Obama in the coming days.
No. The working class voter cares about the economy, not rhetoric.
It couldn't hurt, Jack...What really surprised me was that the Clinton people haven't trashed him yet...This should be a pretty good street fight...no love lost been the Senator and the Governor...Maybe we should turn to pay per view for this primary !!!
I called my brother in Pennsylvania and read your question to him. His response was, "Senator Who???" So, I guess that answers the question better than anything I could say.
Any little bit can help Obama close the margin a bit in Pennsylvania.
This endorsement and some straight talk to the voters there will help Obama's chances with the working class voters.
I've never understood why the 'working class voter' thinks Hillary is best for them anyway. The working class are hard working honest folks for the most part. What is it about Hillary that says 'honest'?
Jack, endorsements are simply opinions. If voters were interested in REAL FACTS instead of just spin and hyperbole, Hillary would not even have made it past New Hampshire. Obama is being condemned for an association with someone not even in office. Hillary has a track record that would shame Benedict Arnold and she still has some supporters. The FACTS are easily available on the net. Clintonistas are rarely interested in facts. And they are certainly safe from hearing any PERTINENT facts through the media.
I don't think it is going to make a difference..........but why all of the concern......Hillary can never fill the gap of difference in delegates. He has already won the nomination, indirectly.
Jack, won't help at all as the Wright comments have sealed it for Hillary in Pa. Sen Obama appearing on "The View" said that Rev Wright had expressed regret about his comments. Why don't you ask Sen Obama about this. Would love to know when the Rev Wright said this. Wonder why Sen Obama did not tell this right off.
I don't think so. I've seen Hillary and Obama's ads in my area. While her ads really depict that she's a fighter for the middle class, his are much less hard-hitting.
...Not if working class voters are as dumb as the ones who now won't vote for him because of something his pastor said. Thats what the republicans do they find some reason, any reason it could be the truth it could be a lie, just as long as they can keep putting the screws to the working man. There are enough dumb ones out there to fall for it, most of them seem to be from the south..
It can't hurt. However, it is Barack Obama who will help his own candidacy when he makes his bus tour through PA . He will be discussing with voters his stand on the issues and his plans.
Whether it helps or not the question is, do we want to keep this going until the convention? Let's hope enough voters in PA will vote for Obama and end this thing. Keeping this going is only lessening the chance of the Democrats winning in November.
I for one dont belive that endoresments mean alot when a person is standing in that booth ready to vote.They dont think about another persons thoughts on the candidate they only belive how they feel inside about the person they are going to vote for.I have no backing for this but I bet less than 10% of the votes for a candidate are because of an endorsement .
I have absolutely no doubt that any endorsement has advantages. There is no doubt that the Senator and his Dad command respect in Pennsylvania that may help counter some of the awesome impact that Hillary's endorsemments carry there. I believe that this endorsement perhaps more than any other before it will help Obama gain some footing in Pennsylvania.
I am 63 years old and have been a member of the working class ever since I was 17 years old. I can never remember voting for someone just because they had the backing and support of a certain individual. I voted for a person because of what came out of their mouth on what they would do if elected.
Urban leader gets rural endorsement. Don't both kind of sort of make up the PA landscape?
Anyways, Effectively utilizing this endorsement to make strong inroads is what will be very important and could help make it happen for Sen. Obama in PA.
It will help in Pennsylvania with some Democratic voters but I believe ultimately Obama's bus tour in Pennsylvania which will allow the voters in that state to get to know him will improve his chances to close the gap in the state. He does not have to win Pennsylvania as he is the front runner and will get the Democratic nomination.
Florida
Jack,
Personally i don't think any endorsement from any gov. or senator in the usa. or not let me forget, talk show hosts, can change the political endorsement for B. Obama. He lied from the start, he continues to lie, as well as his wife, about his friends & associations with people who are not in the best interests of the usa in 2008 or any future election.
remember, you can fool all the people, some of the time,
some of the people all the time, you cannot, however,
fool ""all the people"" all the time. thank-you,
glenda, mesa, Az
dont think so......
It may. Ofcourse it doesn't matter to me, because I am going to either for the Democratic nominee or I might even write in John Edwards' name on my ballot.
Senator Casey is a great endorsement and a brave man to boot. If more of the superdelegates would come forward, this nightmare might come to an end. I'm certain he'll help Obama with working class Pennsylvanians. By the way, has anyone bothered to tell them we now know Hillary was in favor of NAFTA? Curious how she won over Ohio workers with a NAFTA "misspeak."
Well it helps somewhat, but when the governor of the state goes on national TV and says that the people of his state are not ready to vote for an African American candidate, that speaks volumes in itself. First it tells me that it's true that northern whites are more hateful than their southern counterparts, an allegation that many blacks have long stated and it also shows me a governor who wants to be a part of a political machine that has America divided across economic, gender and racial lines, like Hillary's campaign has. So kudo's to the senator, I just hope the voters wake up and not get lost by such ignorant remarks by their so called," in the best interest of the state" governor.
One can only hope that it will! But can it overcome the Clinton name recognition, the kitchen sink and the current support levels? Who knows! Sen. Obama has a lot of work ahead, even with the positive possibilities of this endorsement.
Jack, please ask all those people why they still attend churches where priests have molested small children and it has been swept under the carpet or the priest is just sent to another parish. Are these the same people who told Sen. Obama to leave his church.
Jack,
No I don't think it will help him. In the next few days the media pundits, (except you) will be discussing the comment he made a the View this morning. He's a LIAR. All of a sudden he says he would have left the church. GIVE ME A BREAK . If he was not running for president he would never say such a thing. His two faced comments about the RACIST Rev. Wright will bring him DOWN.
dont think so......doent hillary have every key endorsement in the state...casey is a good guy....but was beat by rendall
Many of us working-class folks already know Obama is the better candidate. Casey's endorsement of Obama impacts the way the media will speak of the primary in PA – giving Obama more clout because he now has a 'name' endorsing him and not assuming Clinton has all the 'important' people on her side.
I hope so. Hilary needs a huge knock out punch as she does not take hints at all. Why would anyone elect a person who has proven to flip flop and out and out lied every step of the campagne. Oh right people voted for a person with a C average so anything goes I guess.
It's as helpful as an ash-tray on a motorcycle!! Or as good as Sen. Kerry and Sen. Kennedy did for Obama in Mass. Endorsements are for building the ego of the endorser- makes them feel important.
No. Obama has to earn that support himself. Only he can hone his message to reach them. He didn't become the frontrunner because of his endorsements.
He became the frontrunner by running an excellent campaign, and by giving a message of hope. He needs to do the same for blue-collar workers.
Yes. By trickling out the endorsements one at a time, it's like Hilary's death by a milllion cuts. Whether you call them 'Reagan Democrats' or white blue collar workers, Hilary's main voting block is ready to back the next President, Barrack Obama.
Is a bear catholic, does the pope ..., oops mixing up my metaphors. Sorry, Im still thinking about your next question.
His endorsement will help Obama appeal to the working class, slightly. The endorsement that should be helping Obama appeal to the working class is the endorsements of the majority of Americans and the majority of the states. The people of the working class have overwhelmingly voted, therefore, endorsed Senator Obama, and I see know reason why they wouldn’t continue to do the same in the remaining ‘contests’. After all he is the best candidate, the American people have affirmed that. With that solved Jack, hopefully others can take a hint, so you can start posing questions that actually matter to the American people, questions that are not being posed. Thanks to a few, a few that see this country their oligarchy.
The answer is NO.
Remember Obama's statement, " Typical White People "
Also I'm tired of hearing you and the Midia applying if the Super Delegates vote Clinton she steals the election.
Why not act like a real reporter and let people know the role of the Super Delegates. They are independent individuals that have the rights all Americans have to cast there vote without pressure from either Candidate. They are suppose to vote for the most electable person.
Jack, everyone and thier mother has endorse Obama..what differance has it made? Shouldn't he be winning like by 2 millon votes?, I guess it doesn't matter who endorses, but then again Rev. Wright endorsed Obama (in so many words.) that one might just give him the White House because them blue collor works can blame the white collor for shipping thier jobs. Jack, exhale he will win he has your endorsement.
JACK,
Yes indeed. The Caseys- father and son- have been involved in politics for years. People in Pa. will definitely be swayed by this endorsement.
I think it will help a little. Polls show Obama has gained more favorability since Wright and his speech, and Clinton has lost more. Clinton will still win PA, but not by double digits.
Clinton is history, she should admit it and get the -- out of the race already.
Bob Casey who?
Well, it can't hurt Obama, can it? I think what helps Obama most is whenever either of the Clintons speak.
Jack he has to do it on his own. All the endorsements mean nothing. I want to know how he is going to help the American people who are drowning in debt and quit bickering back and forth with Hillary. When she opens her mouth and speaks negative he needs to tell the people what he is going to do to help and maybe she will shut the hell up.
Casey's endorsement is the opposite of Richardson's - it is nearly meaningless. In the same way Ted Kennedy and John Kerry couldn't help him win Massachusettes, Casey cannot help Barack Obama win Pennsylvania – Hillary is just too far ahead in the polls. At best, Casey will help Penn voters feel more comfortable with Obama and keep the contest from looking like the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals.
Yes, it will matter. Senator Casey is a devout pro-life Catholic Democrat and pro- self defense with weapons.
I believe that this endorse may help Barack a little. Especially if Senator Bob Casey continues to explain to the people of Pennsylvania why he believes that Barack is more fit to be President than Hillary.
As we seen in all the primaries where Barack Obama was behind double digits and came back and made it a close race this will not be any different. When Barack presents his self to people and they see how genuine he is it doesn't matter who is endorsing him. But it will Help!
Bob Casey carries a lot of weight and his endorsement for Obama timely as well as influential. For us we see whom are the leaders willing to take a stand despite the opposing negativity.
These are the endorsors we know are willing to be a positive influence and actively seeking change through Obama. Casey can appeal to the blue collar man as he has before.
Couldn't hurt. It will at least make some voters reconsider. With the Clinton team making bold predictions (again) about a victory by a sunstantial margin, Obama does not have to win in order to win. He has started talking about regulation , which is a dirty word in the Bush house. If he can find a way to relate regulation, and the lack therof to the everyday lives of voters, he will find his Pennsylvania niche.
Jack, it certainly won't hurt him. More significant is the fact that Casey did not endorse Hillary.
With the recent Richardson endorsement, Sen. Leahy's call for HRC to drop out, HRC's "misstatements" about Bosnia, and Obama's new lead in the polls, this may very well be the beginning of the end for Hillary.
Jack, Sen. Casey's endorsement will help in two ways: 1) It will help among blue collar workers and 2) Among Catholics it will help now that Casey who's Pro-Life endorses Obama!
"I've changed my mind"? What the heck is that supposed to mean? He should try to explain the duty he feels to Obama, at least before half of the Democratic party eats him alive for that line.
Who?? Whaaaa???? Someone in Pennsylvania broke ranks with HRC?????
There is no end to the surprises in this slaughter called an election campaign.
its great news with the endorsement,but its so obvious that obama is the nominee.
What makes you think many people care who endorses candidates. Whether it be a Senator, Congressman, Governor, Mayor or former President, one thing's for sure.....they don't walk it the average persons shoes and in many cases are out of touch with the citizens' needs!!!! Judgments are made on how their life will be affected...not the politicians!!!!!
Totally!!! Casey brings validity to voting for Obama. The average voter in Pennsylvania has been worried lately that their vote may be enormously more potent than in a traditional primary. They worry their vote could sway the pendulum in a different direction. They needed a signal from someone they respect and who respects them. They needed to know that they can go against the current predictions and that it is OK. They believe in the values of the Democratic party. They believe in what is right. They live honestly and transparently. Yet 2 major flaws have arisenwith their 2 choices. Hillary misled everybody about her 'world experience' while although Barrack Obama seems very upfront, his mentor Rev. Wright has been bizzare. Casey has thought it out and is voicing I'm OK and He's OK.
Jack,
No only will Senator Bob Casey’s endorsement help Barack Obama,
What I read between the lines speaks louder, the super delegates are
beging to move on the winning side. Sen Hillary should take notice and come to her/their senses, if not the people will speak to her loud and clear with their votes.
Have a great weekend
If it will help – we will have to wait and see when the numbers come in but it definitely can't hurt. If nothing else it lets the "fat cats" with money that sent Pelosi the letter know that their are some democratic super delegates who are not scared to endorse who they beleive in.
Jack, I never quite understood why some middle calss workers cheer for Hillary. With all due respect, she is a rich woman who desperately needs to be president because she beleives she deserves it as her name is "Clinton".
I think this endorsement from Sen Cassey gets things right back on track. Obama comes from a poor family, was a community organiser neither of the Clintons was.
LORD I hope so, because I'am tried of all the hate thrown at Sen. Obama, because of his Pastor, I'am beginng to think that Pastor Wright is the one running for the job of Pres.
Casey's endorsement is to pay back the Clinton's for what he did to his dad. This country is in big trouble and we need someone with some experience, and thats not Obama. If he gets in watch out because we haven't seen nothing it.
I think this may indicate that the Democratic Party would like Hillary to stop being a "spoiler". If she wins by a big margin in PA, her campaign will claim that she "has momentum", and is therefore still a viable candidate. That would lead to further damaging of the DP's chances in the eventual General Election, because then Hillary will fight for her nomination until the bitter end, no matter what it does to her political party. The public largely realizes now that Hillary lied outright to them about Bosnia, so I think Sen. Casey is trying to help the Democratic Party by endorsing Senator Obama. Yes, I think it will help Sen. Obama, maybe not a lot, but every little bit counts.
This is serious business; Hillary's people are saying that the *pledged* candidates, the ones the people chose in the primaries and caucuses, don't have to vote the way the people who elected them indicated. So a candidate for the nomination of the Democratic Party does not think the people are fit to choose who should run for office in the party's name. How ironic; Hillary, the would-be Democratic candidate, does not appear to believe in democracy. She appears to be an old-fashioned elitest, instead. I wonder if the blue-collar voters she thinks she owns have realized that, yet.
Nope! I think Obama has already shot himself in the foot with his
Pastor story, his fake Professor credentials, etc. They could be fatal in a contest where the voter is looking for HONESTY AND TRUST, among other things
Reluctantly I submit my "Approval", with a firm Yes, Jack! Every brick he (Obama) puts in the wall, will eventually shut-out Hillary . She must win Pennsylvania convincingly, and I me by "Twenty % Pts." in order to remain a viable candidate! The states demograph's are somewhat skewed to a more affluent voter, but If Sen.Casey does carry those working-class voters it's "Toot Fini", for the "Iron Maiden"! The Neo-Dem
Totally!!! Casey brings validity to voting for Obama. The average voter in Pennsylvania has been worried lately that their vote may be enormously more potent than in a traditional primary. They worry their vote could sway the pendulum in a different direction. They needed a signal from someone they respect and who respects them. They needed to know that they can go against the current predictions and that it is OK. They believe in the values of the Democratic party. They believe in what is right. They live honestly and transparently. Yet 2 major flaws have arisen with their 2 choices. Hillary misled everybody about her 'world experience' while although Barrack Obama seems very upfront, his mentor Rev. Wright has been bizzare. Casey has thought it out and is voicing I'm OK and He's OK.
waltham, ma.
I am so happy that a fellow Catholic has come out for Obama. I believe it will help Obama's campaign in Pennsylvania! Obama's obvious concern for the poor and needy is certainly appealing to Catholics–we here this admonition in Mass each week. Surely if she loses in Pennsylvania, Hillary will drop out which she needs to do.
Super, Super, Super! All Pennsylvania Obama supporters should thank this Senate for for having the courage to defy the Clinton Machine and all of its desperate madness. If only more neutral delegates would put on their capes and become "Super Delegates" they could save this election for the democrats.
WHY....Murtha backs Hillary I think that is more important who needs a wimp like casey.
Another love question for Obama but here goes. Everything Obama does is scripted. He wants you talking heads to keep talking about him all weekend so he does his endorsement thing on Fridays. Anyone can see that Obama is good at covering up anything detrimental. Unfortunately he won't get the ability to control things during the general and that will be his downfall.
I think it can help especially now that Senator Clinton and her supporters are trying to wrestle the nomination away from the election winner by suggesting that Al Gore rather than Obama should be the nominee. If Al Gore wanted to be president, why did he not run? The democratic party had better not try that nonsense! America will never forgive them as well as Al Gore for generations to come. These Clinton people are just so wicked.
Macdonny
Pennsylvania
It does not matter. This race is already over. Anyone who says that Obama has "blown it" and is losing his fan base should start paying more attention to recent polls that have him well ahead of Sen. Clinton (Gallup +8). Sen. Clinton could get an endorsement from the ghosts of Moses and George Washington without the outcome of this race changing in any way.
Jack, Casey's endorsement of Obama will be most helpful to him, because those who support him are for the most part working class families. Because he is now receiving important endorsements previously believed to be for Clinton only, it suggests that fellow Democratic politicians and their constituenciesare getting less enchanted with Clinton, and that Obama is becoming the choice for the Democratic Presidential Candidate. However, this may not be a sign that Obama should run against McCain for the Presidency. Rather, it may be a suggestion that more and more Democratic voters and politicians believe that the Democrats will only win the White House with another Candidate.
If his constituency, the working class, believes in him, then they will follow him and that means less votes for the sniper dodger. Yes, it will help Obama a lot.
Jack, Bob Casey was blessed with a weak opponent and a Democrat year in '06. Otherwise, he couldn't campaign his way out of paper bag. He's an under-achiever who will not, unfortunately, add even one thin layer of luster to the Obama campaign.
I hope it does. Quite frankly, as someone from a working class family myself, I'm very surprised that working class families vote for Hillary at all. She's not working class...how in the blue blazes annointed her "working class".
Thank you Senator Casey for being brave and backing Senator Obama...that's our look to the future of this country.
You bet!
Any endorsement is a plus. The more of it that Obama garners, the more convinced the so-called superdelegates will be and be influenced to throw their support behind Obama.
Go on Sen. Obama ....... You're the man!
I don't think so. He couldn't get himself nominated to run for Govenor several years ago. This endorsement may jeapordize his own re-election to the senate.
It certainly doesn't hurt. However, as you aptly pointed out, the working class democrat voters of PA have always been a "given" for Senator Clinton. I think Bob Casey's endorsement hurts her more than it helps Obama overall. However, PA voters have had months to digest all the hoopla that's been fed to them regarding these candidates and their electability. Most of them have already made up (or changed) their minds about their candidate of choice. I doubt seriously that Senator Casey's endorsement will have a traceable impact on those voters.........
No, because endorsement seems to be an endorsement just to spite the Clintons like Richardson endorsement was.
i don't know but i bet hillery's pissed, guess who's off her x-mass list..
It seems each day now Obama is pulling another rabbit out of his hat to make up for the experience and credibilty on issues he is lacking,. How about he stays in the senate another four years to acquire in his own right what he is borrowing from others?
Jack, Honestly I dont have a crystal ball so not sure if this endorsement helps or not but hey it cant hurt..
Obama 08
Austin Texas
Jack: I doubt if this endorsement will help Obama. It is equally plausible that it will help Hillary when you consider his endorsements by Kennedy and Richardson went against the wishes of their constituents. Further, many of these supporters hypocritically call for the superdelegate rules to be changed to rubber stamp the popular vote, while denying the people of Michigan and Florida a vote. When the entire hierarchy of the Democratic party seems hellbent on preventing Hillary a chance, I am more commited than ever to support her. Just who is the agent of change ? The establishment wants Barack. Let's find out who the people want and let this primary run its course.
I doubt it. There is NO endorsements nor is there anything Obama can say that he hasn't already said oh and then altered his statement yet again about his Rev. that will sway PA voters minds. When you work hard everyday at one or sometimes two jobs to provide for your family; you teach your children to be good to one another and love and respect their country; invest your spare in your communtiy, and then this man ur, um, uh, can't decide what to do with that awful pastor and his words – ba bye! If the democrats don't wise up and see the train wreck this man will as their nominee then they deserve to lose the White House – yet again!
Sen. Casey’s endorsement ....
I guess Sen. Casey’s is believing this man too.
Barack Obama clearly refuses to say our pledge or wear our flag pin!
This man attends/donates money to a church for 20 years and he doesn't believe in their beliefs?
Oh come on people wake up before its too late.
How can so many AMERICANS be so easily swayed by this man?
I guess HITLER had many believing him too....
In Sen. Casey's hometown of Scranton, Hillary is looked upon as a native daughter even though her dad moved to Chicago and she only spent some time here as a child. The locals, who think she should be crowned "Queen Hillary" turn a deaf ear to the fact that she was a strong suppoorted of NAFTA. Since it was passed, three large plants closed and put a lot of workers, who Hillary now wants to help, in the unemploymnent line. Bob Casey's support may make more people stand up and take notice to the true facade that Hillary presents.
No, it won't help him at all. Obama sealed his own fate when he tied himself to a racist and Islamic extremist The blue collar, working-class people will be paying more attention to that than anything this first term senator will say about Obama.
No it can't Jack. We saw this in Massachusetts where Kennedy and Kerry both endorsed him and he still lost by a landslide to Hillary. Ultimately it's up to the people to decide who they vote for and based on the demographics that you media people so meticulously analyze, Clinton will carry the state of Pennsylvania because of the Catholics and working-class voters.
Jack,
This is big. It shows how Hillary's lead is being whittled away. Barack may not win big in Pa. but neither will she.
If blue collars in PA know how to use the internet, and I'm sure they do, then look at Obama's Congressional record, look at his senate record, how many senators are queing up to support him. Go to Obama's website and look at his stances on the issues, namely the economy in this case. You will see for yourself that Obama is the only choice for Pennsylvania. Thank you Senator Casey, for standing up and supporting such a great candidate.
Can't hurt but I do not think it will help, I don't think most rural caucasian Pennsylvanians are willing to elect him and judging from the comment of their elected governor which I happen to think is correct he does not stand a chance. BTW I happen to be black and the comments from the Governor or the choices of most Pennsylvanians does not bother me I am not sensitive to ethnic comments or ethnic choices.
It swhould hep. Maybe even prevent a double digit loss.
Any endorsement that makes a 1% diffrence is extraordinary.
Yes. I think this will give Obama a boost unless Hillary dreams up another bullet-dodging trip. Voters tend to love a fearless woman.
L. Jones
Yes.. This endorsment is huge. Chipping away day by day. If Casey's endorsement helps Oboma get an extra 2-3% away from the Clinton's then its huge. It will be fun to see how Hilliary and Company downplay another key figure going the other way.
Dear Jack:
The only thing that will get the vote of this Working Class Voter is for Senator Obama to start supporting American Workers instead of helping the employers of illegal aliens tho get rich, by bypassing American Workers.
Oak View, CA
Who cares Jack. Wow you think he is "hot!" That's how you go out and give an opinion about the guy that you say is hot on Fridays. I have never heard of this person. I also know you never write a creme puff question about Hillary being hot on Fridays because someone that no one knows endorsed her. But if she makes any kind of statement about anything at all.....you pull some question out like....."Boy don't you just think everyone hates her and/or "Don't you think that Hillary should quit?" Jack, Hillary will win the nomination regardless of your biased garbage blog! Still laughing at you though.
Jack, I believe it could help a little bit, but unfortunately I still think Hillary will take Pennsylvania. Whether she takes it by at least 56% there and in every other remaining contest however, remains to be seen. If you ask me, it's an uphill battle for Hillary...and she's running out of gas.
Kelly
Westerville, OH
The election is fix,so it really dosen't matter
I don't think so. Endorsements are nice, but they don't pay the bills. If his message doesn't entice the voters to vote for him, All the endorsements on earth won't help.
Mike, From Staten Island, New York
Jack I can't see it making much of a difference at this point, it seems voters in this state have not been amused by the circus that this race has become, but rather have paid close attention to what matters when it comes to issues dear to their hearts and to our country. They seem to have already made thier minds up as the polls have overwhelmingly suggested.
Being from PA, I can assure you that Senator Casey is a good man and held in high regard by most Pennsylvanians. His endorsement of Obama holds as much weight as Rendell's, if not more. Rendell's base is mostly in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, where Blacks make up a high percentage of voters. Casey's is much broader based including the "Alabama" section of the mid-state and a larger percentage of white voters. I guess we'll see the proof in the pudding come April 22nd.
Jack, yes it will help. The reaction from the Clinton camp will be to subject Casey to a vicious, dirty politics, attack. That will turn off the voters and bring more votes to the Obama side. She can't get off this "kitchen sink" program that is now turning into the "bathroom toilet" program even though it is a losing proposition for her.
Jack:
This is huge for the Obama campaign! I think it is just one more indication that this race is over for Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton can attempt to prolong this if she chooses to do so, but she has as much of a chance of winning the nomination as the Cubs have of winning the World Series–Zero to None! The Barack Obama campaign is quite fascinating. They have adopted a "spread offense" (to use a football term) that has forced the Clinton Campaign to try to compete with them in multiple states with dwindling campaign resources. Now, Michael Sneed, a well-respected columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Clinton Campaign is having serious financial problems and have not paid their debts. It will be a shame if she has to loan more money to her campaign or if she has to lay-off members of her campaign staff again. How can she balance the budget of our country if she can't balance a campaign budget?
Now is the time to put aside the petty bickering and rally around Barack Obama. I am tired of all the fancy lawyer talk from her and Bill Clinton. Pack it in, Bill and Hillary. Preserve your legacy and live to fight another day. It will not be easy to defeat John McCain. Let's come together now. This is your wake-up call, pals. Let's go to work.
P.S. No one cares about the Jeremiah Wright story. It's old news now and is taking place during NCAA March Madness and during the start of baseball season. SO, NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT! Never introduce new material before Labor Day! Everyone knows that!
Dr. Willie
Chicago, Illinois
I hope that this endorsement will help but Hillary out to pasture, I bet her delusional statements about her Bosnia trip had something to do with this. I am really concerned that she really imagines herself as Jane Bond saving the world. Her divisiveness is becoming more apparent all the time. More people who thought that they would stay neutral are coming out for Barack. They are beginning to realize that we now have a very real opportunity to restore America to the leader of the world, in economic strength, education, and Technology.
Once Obama campaigns in Pennsylvania he will increase the support of working-class voters just like he did in Wisconsin. The only reason that didn't happen in Ohio is because of the 48-hour press coverage and the early voter registration deadlines there.
This endorsement will surely help as much as any other. What we really need to see is all the super-delegates step up and make the only obvious choice.
Why should any Senator's endorsement mean anything? They only have one vote and I personally they should hold that vote until all citizens of voting age (that actually vote) have had their say. I am tired of these so-called super delegates trying to influence the voters.
Well it means that he has one more superdelegate and one more vote for him in Penn. If people are so mindless as to blindly follow the endorsement of a favorite political leader, our democracy exists for no reason. I thnk PA voters are smarter than that
I certainly hope so, Jack. Hillary's increasingly vitriolic message is going to wipe out any advantage that the Dems have in the upcoming election.Sen. Casey's endorsement should help make inroads into the Blue collar Catholic vote, and hopefully that and Obama's purported advantage in Eastern Pa. will prod him to an upset victory come April 22nd...
Senator Casey's endorsement is big because it will be perceived as still another Senator/Governor/Representanive/Superdelegate recognizing the inevitablility of Obama's nomination.
It can't hurt, Jack. I must say, it would be nice to have a President who understands the struggles of making ends-meat, paying bills on time, and putting food on the table. I know John McCain and Mrs. Clinton have never lived in this world – they were both lucky enough to be born to wealthy families. Barack Obama (like most Americans) is the only candidate who wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth!
Wow another traitor or Judas...that would be a super delegate that doesn't support Hillary you know.
And isn't it funny Casey was told he couldn't speak at one of Bill's functions? So much for everyone's voice being heard. What goes around DOES come around.
Yes, in addition to Richardson and big names like Ted Kennedy who have endorsed him. It's another huge endorsement for Obama and not for Hillary. Eventually they add up, whether Hillary's campaign admits it or not. Al Gore could endorse Obama, and Hillary's campaign would still say it wasn't a big deal.
If the working class still have a car and money to put gas in their car to go to the polls to vote for Obama, then yes, Sen. Casey's endorsement could help,
Absolutely, with a little less than a month before the primary, their is plenty of time for Casey to get out on the campaign trail with Obama. Casey came into the Senate by beating Rick Santorum by the biggest margin in Pennsylvania's history, you can't argue that. Casey can bring in the working class vote, and perhaps more importantly, the conservative democratic vote. Casey is hardly a liberal, and this endorsement can show how Obama can get more than the liberal/college-student vote.
Endorsements to me means that someone is trying to tell me what to do. He only has one vote just like me doesn't he? Just another politician who wants to inflict his personna on us some more. Won't help Obama a bit. The superdelegates have a voice and we don't need to hear anything from them until all the primaries are over.
Jack, I think it will help with those who are realistic enough to know that this country that we all love and can find something about it that we dislike is not perfect; and neither are we. I disagree with Rev. Wright 's tone and some of the things he said. But, I am no more willing to hold Sen. Obama accountable for those words than I am willing to continually hold a certain class of Americans accountalbe for it's many sins. I find Sen. Obama to be a creditable, honest and decent man of integrity. I hope that the people of PA. will come to their senses before Apr. 22. the alternative will be a choice they will come to regret. I think someone who lies (misspeaks) as a habit should not be trusted to work for the best interest of Americans. I also think as Americans we should acknowledge our past sins cast upon society, ask for forgiveness, and then try to see how we can all come together toward positive change. After all, if we all are going to stay hear, we might as well work at respecting one another regardless of our differences.
I only vote for Casey to get rid of Rick Santorum. Casey and his endorsement isn't worth a bucket of warm drool . Now I need someone to vote for to get rid of Casey!!!!!!
No.. He endorsed Obama because he doesn't like the Clinton's. My best freind is from Pittsburgh and according to her Obama certainly isn't the favorite. He needs to have ORIGINAL economic and foreign policies to discuss with the typical white blue collar workers.
Another sell out; just another example why these superdelegates are undemocratic and unamerican. They want to color and sway the election before all primaries are held. Those states along with we in Florida and Michigan won't forget come November.
As a PA Democrat, I can tell you that Bob Casey was the only choice for Senator in PA in 2006. He does not have many supporters here. He was the best alternate to the ultra-conservative Rick Santorum. If a moderate Democrat or Republican were to challenge Casey in 2012, he would lose, easily. So, in PA, the endorsement means nothing.
Jack,
I don't care who backs Obama he won't get my vote ! I will vote McSame or I just won't vote
It's good to see someone like Casey come out of the coma he was in and realize that the Clinton's are habitual liars and unless they have a real awakening always will be. Sure this helps a lot, especially with the people in Penn that support him and he represents. Good for him.
He is a Trojan display model and his opinion is like what they call them. Now he wants to say Pa is the firewall. Clintomn can change her mind enough he doesn't have to help her
Certainly Jack; His support will help Obama in three areas – 1. the people who are not very familiar with Obama, will hear about him from someone they trust. 2. The notion that no big people from Pensylvania were supporting Obama may have been in the minds of Superdelegrates and voters. They might get a different perception now. 3. The catholic and/or blue-collor voter now has one additional thought about their options
I think this is an important endorsement which may make more people think about who they are going to vote for on April 22. Our lovely Govenor make the stupid and racist remark that Pennsylvania is not ready to vote for an African American to be President and then proclaimed his devotion to Sen. Clinton. Most of the powers that be, such as John Murtha, jumped on the band wagon. It is delightful that Sen. Casey had the nerve to go against the establishment and give his vote to the person who he feels will be the next President of the United States, Sen. Barack Obama.
I think only Pennsylvania voters can and should answer this. Anyone else is just blowing hot air.
Jack,
It's going to help just as much as Kerry & Kennedy helped in Mass. and the unions helped in Vegas, California, etc. In other words it can hurt more than help. PA is LOCKED in and the key has been thrown away. This is a different breed of voters that you're dealing with in that state. From what I gather they're old school; Very loyal, and idealistically more conservative value voters and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a backlash against Casey and the tide turned even further against Obama in the state. We'll have to wait and see.
Good afternoon, Jack!
I think Bill Clinton's comments this morning will do Hillary more harm, but I do think that Senator Casey's endorsement can only help Senator Obama with the working class voters. Bill said on Good Morning, America that he has a new way for his wife to become the nominee – only count the 40 primaries not the 18 caucuses. In a call with supporters in Texas, he said: 'Hillary's gonna wind up with the lead in the popular vote in the primary states. It's the caucuses ... that have been killing us.'
I live in a caucus state – so my vote is not supposed to count? Another shot in Hillary's foot by her spouse!
Every endorsement for Obama is very important. At this point unless the the primary is going to held in Bosnia, there is no way Hillary Clinton can win. No way
Smart
MA
Jack, I am sick of these endorsements. LET THE PEOPLE VOTE: ESPECIALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA. This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to vote for someone that I know is qualified and will be a good President and IT IS NOT OBAMA, it is HILLARY. Go Hillary. Jack, I know you will not like my response but you are like all the other men who can't stand a SMART WOMAN.
Please tell me why people got obsessed over these endorsements. Endorsements shouldnt mean anything to somebody voting. Because if its got to the point where u can sway voters based on who is endorsing them at the moment, that will be a sad day for democracy Jack
I believe it will help.
Let us remember Senator Obama did not make those remarks. Rev. Wright did. And let us not forget Obama did "condemned" those comments. He also talked about bringing this country together.
When is the main stream media going to question the endorsements of Rev. John Hagge and Pastor Rod Parsley for John McCain?
Both have made terrible remarks about the Catholic Church, the religion of Islam (Destroy Islam), destroy gays and more.....Or are we going to ignore this because John McCain is a white man. Double Standard. By the way I am a 60 yr. old white man.
I doubt it. Many hard working people could care less about who endorses who, but we do care about many of the serious issues that are facing our Country, especially the economy. Obama has flip-flopped so much on the Rev. Wright issue that many hard working middle class people are simply turned off of him. His good judgement has been been seriously lacking, so how can we trust him to be President. Remember the Media are not electing the President–the American People are.
Not unless he spends most of his time working next to them. (The Senator)
Well, lets look at this Jack. Obama has one Pennsylvania senator's endorsement. Hillary has the mayor of Pittsburgh, mayor of Erie, mayor of Philly, Representatives John Murtha, Allyson Schwartz, and Joe Sestak. And of course, Governor Rendell. Trust me, this doesn't mean a whole lot.
Jack, I think what will help Obama most is letting the voters get to know him. They need to listen to the details of his economic package, to hear how knowledgeable he is on foreign policy, and watch how even-tempered he is under constant attack. Surrogates should point out how well he and his campaign staff get along together, which cannot be said of his opponent. Anyone who listened, unbiased, to his speech on race cannot possibly believe he is tolerant of the controversial , venomous comments of his former pastor. The longer voters get to know this man, the more they tend to believe in him.
If someone endorsed Hillary Clinton, they would have to convince me that even though big business is financing and supporting her, that she would still put my needs above the needs of corp America.
And since everyone knows that in the past 16 years that the policies set up inside of Washington were done so, so they would benefit the corporate world, there isn't one endorsement out there that could convince me that she is the right candidate.
So, do endorsements matter? NO, because those endorsing are doing so in there best interest, and not the interest of the American people.
If Hillary by any chance wins trhe presidentcy, I'm jumping the fence and going to Mexico
Probably not, but though Obama will lose Pennsylvania, I expect him to win the nomination largely because the superdelegates who are politicians themselves will recognize his superiority as a candidate.
Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas
Yes, it helps. It represents one more "nudge" toward his eventual, inevitable nomination. These "nudges" will crescendo in to a full court press . . . . .
It would help if Casey had actually done anything of significance for the working-class voters of Pennsylvania in his short time in office. But he hasn't and it doesn't.
Jay B.
York, PA
Jack it just can't be...I see a flag pin on his lapel...are you sure?
We better look into his background to make sure he is really a patriot shouldn't we? Has he been on any war torn tarmacks in Bosnia?
Endorsements don't sway me. I make up my own mind.
If I wanted someone to think for me I would listen to Rush Limbaugh
Jack
I think that any endorsement is a help for either candidate. A lot of people comment about Rev Wright, but of all of them how many can say that all the people that they are close to are lily white? Has anyone talked to aany fo the other members of that church? There must be many, many people that are still members. I'm with you, Jack, give it a rest. It's been beaten to death already.
It can't hurt.
Cathy, Puerto Rico
Not if the working class voters are well informed about the candidates. Unfortunately some workers will vote for the candidate who promises the most hand-outs in this race and this seems to be Senator Obama.
His motto: Change we can believe in.
Meaning: Take from the white working rich people and give it to irresponsible people (poor people) The irresponsible people I am speaking about are those who drop our of school, get into crime or drugs or have children they can not support. I do have respect for those who can't work because of injuries or disease or lose their jobs. Sometimes bad things happen. I know.
Only if you run it on the news enough that its a big thing. Who is Casey anyway? Does he get more than one vote?
I think endorsements like these are over-rated. Most people can't even name the secretary of state of the U.S., let alone their senators (and certainly not their representatives!). I called my brother who lives in Pennsylvania, and he said "Senator who?" (Sorry Matt!). Obama has to capture these votes on his own. And he only has to lose by a small margin to win anyway.
Bob Casey's endorsement certainly can't hurt Obana.
Bob who??
Another person who's word doesn't mean a thing. He surrounds himself with people who are less than honorable doesn't impress me. Let everyones vote and count all the votes count. Let the process play itself out the way it was designed. In the end Mr. Obama will never get elected even if he gets the nomination given to him.
Not likely. I don't think Sen. Casey's endorsement will pull much weight here in PA. He's a freshman Senator who was elected in a "blue" state to rid us of the mistake of "ultra-red" Rick Santorum. His father, maybe. Casey the younger-not so much.
Does "Working Class" mean employed? If so, he'll get about twelve more votes.
L.P.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
This means so little. Perhaps, a few might be swayed. But it is my sincere hope that all the voters will make up their minds independently of what some other politician might think.
He's a Superdelegate is'nt he?
That helps. It is worth the same as about 50,000 votes.
Joe
Ohio
It surely will help... Obama doesn't have to win in PA... Just not get blown out.. anything less than a 58% Clinton win and Hillary is truly done for. With the remaining primaries only the small delegate states of Ky, WVA and PR. favor Hillary. The remaing 6 are Obama's bread and butter states. Ind, NC, OR, MT, SD, and Guam. Also, lets not forget the delegates that John Edwards won are changing their supporting to Obama over Clinton 3-1. Obama will need on 77 of the remaing 333 superdeigates to put him over the top and 15 of those are still undeclaired Edwards Superdelegates. Even I can hear the fat lady singing...
I do not think the individual backers are more important than the voters and Superdelegates.
Because if >2025, you are the nominee; else, go Superdelegates.
That is the rule.
For Kerry, Kennedy, their favorite did not even persuade the voters in their own State. What else could that matter?
Hhmm, endorsement, help, among, voters. How are we going to relate these concepts? Telling the endorsement to help it is unresponsive. Endorsement seems to be signifying to us it is indirectly related, it needs a buffer. We will accept the effect as a volunteer. The effect of the endorsement on altering election decisions among working-class voters. Now we can proceed from a logically sound found. The effect to affect how they select might not reflect a defect.
Even being from Alabama I know who the Senator is and who is father was. He is a very respected Senator throughout this country not just in PA. I certainly can't hurt.
Jack,
Obama has started out behind everywhere. Once people hear him speak he gains momentum and overcomes Hillary most places. I'm sure this endorsement will help him among all classes of people.
Jill
Iowa
Yes He Can! Yes He Can! Yes He Can!
Jack .. Image that I cant get out of my mind! Hillary Clinton behind the scenes, kicking her feet and flailing her arms like a 6 year old tantrum crying .. " but .. but .. IM SUPPOSED TO WIN *sniff*".
Please, make her stop!
No. He is a first-term senator that holds no more experience than the first-term senator he is endorsing. In addition, the senator imapcts only his team of 19. Clinton holds the endorsements in PA of the experienced and also those that really hold weight over thousands.
Daniel
Washington DC
Casey's endorsement will do as much for Obama as the Kennedy-Kerry endorsement in Massachusetts.
Did you know that Senator McCain's family were slave owners in Mississippi, he says he didn't know that. I feel he did know but doesnot want the info to come out.
I would like to know when you are going to STOP dogging Hillary and keep the field level Everytime I turn on CNN, you are always talking negative about Hillary, nothing to exciting anymore since you talk about the same person everyday. LETS get back to the real issues, or how about just getting back to regular news
Jack:
What a wonderful news for 'Obama'. Surely Bob Casey's endorsement is going to help 'Obama' in an area when it was needed most, tremendously.
A.M. Saqib
Houston, Texas
No it will not help. I don't know if anyone has noticed but I don't think voters are waiting around on someone else to tell them who to vote for. The only thing Obama has to look forward to with this is it is a superdelegate vote.
Jack, I don't think that he will win ALL of the white/blue collar/catholic vote, some might go over to his side but most blue collar catholic's I know are headed in the Clinton Direction, even if some senator supports Obama, Clinton still has a hope for victory.
John
Groves, Texas
Barack Obama has already worn the general elections whether we like it or not. It's time to take out all those idiots in white house and replace them with patriotic people like Obama himself. The era of arrogance is nearly over.
Lots of people if not all do not comprehend even one concept deeply.
I don't think endorsements mean anything to the voterrs. PA is Clinton's.
NO.
Jack,
Just like with the number of delegates, every tiny bit helps, no matter
from whom and from where. – Rick
These days, only Hillary's endorsements matter. I mean Ed Rendell ? A huge boost. And remember MA? Ted Kennedy, John Kerry all them endorsed Obama and still Hillary won the state by milestones! So I'm not worried. And Jack, I'm peeved that all your Hillary and John McCain questions are negative but St.Obama's? They're all positive. And you think the media is unbiased. Are you senile? Yes you are. You're like a hundred billions years old.
Because of Casey, this 53 year old white working class male will be voting for Obama.
Unfortunately, I dont believe so due to Rendel making the comment that Whites men will not vote for a Black man; so does it really matter who endorses him in PA. As much as I try to see us as one, some one always tries to remind us we are not.
The endorsement can't hurt, but endorsements don't really do that much either way. What will matter is if Pennsylvania voters think Hillary the Entitled's Bosnia whopper makes her someone they can trust. After all, this something she said – not what her minister said.
For the sake of the US I certainly hope so. Obama's our only hope.
Arnold in Utah
No. Clinton is going to win Pennsylvania by a big margin. Obama should get out of the race for the good of the party. The democrats need a nominee who can win in the fall and won't falter by the republican machine.
I don't think it helps him more than if I had endorsed him myself. What I think did help him is that Hillary was caught in a lie a few days ago. Blue collar workers care about this. We have been lied to by our government for far too long. The last thing we need is another lying president in our white house.
Jack, being from Pennsylvania, i can tell you Bob Casey has alot of swing with the blue collar workers. This helps Obama but Hillary has a good hold on the state.
No, it cannot help. Obama's campaign has been mortally wounded on the basis of patriotism through Rev. Wright and his wife's comments. Obama should drop out immediately and support Clinton. She has won the big states. Everyone knows there is bad blood between the Clintons and the Caseys so this endorsement is a joke.
How can he NOT win? Look at the crowds that he gathers! Even among the states that are supposed to be Hillary's. She doesn't gather these types of crowds!
I think the media just "hands over the states " to her. Watch, if she comes out with a big smile the day before like she has in the past, saying "I'm going to win", then she probably will win. This whole campaign has been a debacle.
Many of her collegues are calling for her to quit, and the majority of Americans.
Somethng is just not right, when the media hands you a state.
Off course it will Jack just like other other endorsements have helped him in one way or another.
It's all nitching away at Clinton's hold in white working-class Pennsylvania and the closer Sen. Obame get's to 50/0. the better for his already leading campaign. May I remind you, Sen. Obama leads in popular vote, pledge delegates, and states won, whereas Sen. Clinon only marginally leads in super delegates.
Can his endorsement help Obama?
NO – not one bit.
Who pays attention to endorsements? I don't, and neither does
anyone I know. Did anyone pay attention to Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama? Or Carolyn Kennedy's endorsement? NO. Obama lost Massachusetts despite their backing.
People are more interested in his ABILITIES, His RESUME, – the QUALIFICATIONS it takes to do a GOOD JOB.
NOT the fluffy stuff of endorsements. Give me a break!
Besides - he's backing the wrong Democrat!
There's not really any situation where an endorsement won't help, unless it's George Bush. But froma respected Senator from a state where Obama is fairing well in the polls is exactly what he needs. I believe that it helps to when you guys tell the world that Hillary technically doesn't have a chance to win if you look at the numbers. I think the people are only now realizing that shes really only going to win if she pulls some strings at the convention. I don't blame her for not dropping out, but I will if the democrats do not win the federal election.
I don't think that the endorsement will have that big of an impact on the primary in Pennsylvania. However, it does add to the Obamamania that is sweeping the country. Even the people who oppose him just can't stop talking about the guy.
It also serves as another reminder that the Clintons presidential aspirations are likely dubious at best.
I don't live in Pennsylvania but I do not believe it will make a difference among democrats. I say this from a personal perspective; I do not vote for a candidate because another politician has endorsed them. I am a free-thinking voter and do so based on where the candidates stand on issues that I am deeply concerned about..."it's the economy stupid"!
I believe the endorsement will allow blue collar voters to at least listen to what Obama has to offer, which was more than what they would of done a few week ago. Although, I wish the media would stop giving the impression that all working class and blue collar americans are white and hard headed when it comes to open minded views of a uniting country. We aren't all unintellectual bigots who can't see between the lines!
Jack,
I am 65 and have voted Republican all my life. Not this time, but Hillbilly will never be my choice. Their is not enough time or space to explain in greater detail. Obama with the help in PA should help turn around that state.
Dave, Liberty, MO
It stands to reason that if Sen. Casey's constituency includes working class people, it confirms the fact that working class people are the very people Sen. Obama includes in his message while he campaigns. Obviously Sen. Casey's been listening, just like the rest of us and continously hope and remain positive Sen. Obama should be the next president for real change to be implemented.
Well, Jack, intuitively, one would think that Casey's endorsement would help Obama with working class voters in PA. But no endorsement is going to help him win the small minded and the bigots. Wasn't it James Carville who said that PA is basically Philadelpia and Pittsburgh with Alabama in the middle? Enough said...and oh, yeah, we shouldn't talk about race in America, right?
Yes off course it will help the Senator Barack Obama but how much will it help? I don't know but I'm thinking not much. Maybe 2 or 3 percentage points and that's not enought.
Jack
I think his endorsement will help to close the gap between Obama and Clinton, but the state is so much tailor made for Clinton that she will win.
Hilary's over confidence in Penn. will only lead to Obama sneaking up on her at 3am and answering the phone before she does. Obama is going to surprise everybody in Penn. the endorement helps, but he is now listening to the working class in Penn. and that will prove to be the tipping point.
No. Hillary has the important endorsements of the state. Even the mayor of Philadelphia has endorsed her, that says quite a bit. She will win PA with a margin of atleast 10 points.
The endorsement will help Obama get closer to winning Pennsylvania. Getting close is actually a win for Obama!
I think the endorsement serves Casey more than Obama. You can't get elected as US Senator from PA as a Democrat unless you are able to carry the Philadelphia (largely African-American) vote. Sen. Casey doesn't want to remembered as a guy who "wasn't on-board" with when he needs that same voting block come 2012.
Jack,
I hope the working people are smarter than that. If he hadn't
fallen out with the Clintons, he would not have come out
for Obama. ( Another good friend.) Of course, If the Clintons
had given him what he wanted, he still would not have come
out for a Woman. Men just can't vote for a smart women.
Pat Lex
Endorsement by any political heavyweight is important. It only becomes irrelevant when the Clintons don't get it. that is when they start calling it insignificant.
Well Jack,
I'm from Pennsylvania, and I am part of a working class family, but I was already planning on giving my vote to Obama. I do think the endorsement from Senator Casey will give him a little bit more credibility here, however from my experience I have noticed that as great as this state is the people are so traditional and set in their ways, that this may be the toughest state for Barack to win. In Pennsylvania everyone I talk to except for the majority of the younger voters are soley interested in voting for who seems familiar to them. All I ever hear from my grandparent is how they've never heard of this guy and how he has a weird name. Frankly, I'm fed up with the close mindedness.
sure it will help, and if obama wins pa. we will find out that clinton wont drop out, not now, not ever, no what it does to the party. the bosnia episode should have told us all that this women will say and do what ever it takes to get this thing to the convention. at that time obama will hear the next line to jerry reeds song, "when your not your not", and behind closed doors shes the heavy weight.
If senator Casey's endorsement doesn't help deliver needed votes for Senator Obama in the upcomming primary, then it would mean money in the bank for senator Clinton, i.e, keep rolling and drag this out until the car runs out of gas entirely.
The race is over, excpet the looser has not yet conceded. Will we see a coup by clinton? we never know. That is what we are wating for.
What a softball question Cafferty. Of course, any endorsement help. The real question is will it be as good an endorsement as the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the answer is absolutely not. Hillary will win Pennsylvania Big.
Jack Baby!
It's all ring a ding ding for Barack. He's a positive candidate who
speaks on the issues and prefers not to engage in the old school negative ways of campaigning. And to respond to Bill Clinton "no I would not like to have an argument or a fight and Bill there's a lot
wrong with that." Barack wants to bring the us all together and that just brings out the best in us! He will continue to get the support of people who share his vision. Like they say in the commericals " lets get together and feel alright"
Another super vote and just more to come every day. Hillary needs to get it together and admit that she is not going to win even with all plans she and Bill can think up. Come on Hillary get on board with the rest of us and support Barack. He indeed is change and he reminds me of JFK. We do need CHANGE not more of the Clinton lies.
Thats one super delegate up for Obama, he will loose pennsylvannia but thats only one state, he has won 30 so far and he will win some more in the coming weeks.
Overall, Sen. Casey's endorsement of Obama will not provide enough help to give him a victory, however, I do believe that the endorsement will assist in decreasing the margin that Clinton wins Pennsylvania.
As long as Obama can keep it close in Pennsylvania, he can limit the damage received with a loss.
If Clinton said that she made the statement about Bosnia during a time of restlessness and fatigue, I want to know will she make a wrong choices and speak out of place at 3AM when the important red phone ring? I wish we can trust her to be as honest as Obama!
Obama is the best choice that we have!
Jack,
At this point i believe every endorsement for Obama help.Hillary is not a happy camper right now, She just need to get out of the way. This is a big chance for Obama.
Yes, it will help alittle, but I personally believe that Rezko's and Reverend Wright's endorsements were the best of this political year, don't you agree Jack?
Lets hope the Casey Endorsement does as much for Obama in Pennsylvania as the Kennedy, Kerry and Patrick encosements did for him in Massachusetts.
Sen. Casey's endorsement means that Barack Obama will now have a chance to convince working class voters that he's the person for the job, because now they'll actually listen. So basically it's Step One of Two, in this idiotic phenomenon I call "Political Endorsmentism" Endorsements are like big bright spotlights. They light up the lucky candidate with a beam of bright light, so that people will shut up and listen to him or her. Now, that Pennsylvania’s working class voters are listening to Obama, what will Obama do? Behold! Step Two: (Obama are you listening?) Open your mouth, seize the damn spotlight, and do something!
Another superdelegate always helps!!! If it helps him not lose PA too badly then it helps. But what matters most is he's a Super dooper delegate.
It wouldn't affect me at all. There is no way that what someone else does is going to direct me to do anything. That only happens with individuals with weak intellect and unable to think for themselves.
First of all, I find it hard to believe that workers would be all that thrilled with Hillary. What did the Clintons do in the 90's to help them? I don't remember Bill/Hill doing anything to prevent outsourcing, help unions or curb corporate power. Obama should spend more time speaking to workers and in a nice way, mention the 90's.
To answer your question, Bob Casey is a wonderful person and Senator. Of course his endorsement will help Obama a lot.
Has anyone thought about Romans 14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. I'd like to think that I can make a conscience choice of who I want to support without being persuaded. Casey and no one else is going to help or hurt either one. They are doing a real good job of hurting themselves and frankly I am sick of it right now I don't want to vote for anyone
Deloris
No! Don't we remember Massachusetts? The "same old, same old" big names endorsed Obama, Kennedy, Kerry and what happened? He lost! The same will happen in PA. Ever since his victories, all the same old, same old democrats have abandoned her and her husband with their very short memories of what they've actually done for this country. She's right to stay into the end. The rules allow it and her supporters endorse it!
Mel in California
Boy Jack this is one I had to weigh in on. I already called Sen. Casey's here in Pittsburgh to express my disappointed of his decision. I don't know if he can help Sen. Obama . I think he'd better enjoy the rest of term because me and many more PA voters will not vote for him in his bid for re-election. I hope I didn't tip my hat on who I as a mere voter is supporting. signed, Anne in Pittsburgh
I don't know enough about Senator Casey's appeal to PA voters to determine what demographic would be impacted, if at all. What this endorsement does, however, is provide another hole in the dam for the other super delegates to come out of the shadows. Like Richardson, turned off by the nastiness of the Clinton campaign, Sen Casey's endorsement sends a message to the uncommitted Super delegates that the threat of Clinton retaliation no longer exists.
JACK
How else is any given candidate going to be appealing to the voters unless endorsed by the same voter's own elected representatives ??Whoever thinks this is an insignificant endorsement must be a real MORON and sticking their heads in the sand lest they see the REALITY !!
Steve ,
MD
Senator Casey is a man of insight and realizes that we need a dramatic change in our great country.Senator Obama lets us see how we can be in the future. The working class has been the backbone of the United States and always have been.There are some who forget that. So, I say ,"YES,WE CAN " Change is ahead of us . Let it be a hopeful change with Barak and Michelle. What a beautiful statement that would make for the future.Marilyn from Florida
Of course this can help Barack n Roll. Endorsements have proven to sway voters. I'm hoping it definitely will help for the vote there April 22nd. My question to you Jack is how come Hilary is still considered the winner in Texas when although she won the Primaries, Barack led and was predicted the winner in the Texas Caucus but then mysteriously Texas stopped counting and the media doesn't make mention of his winning that caucus. He's endorsed in the state where most believed Hilary would win. With Casey's endorsement hopefully he will win and she will, for the sake of the party, back him. She too is a viable candidate for the future but for now as Mitt Romney did for the Republican party, Hilary should back Obama. Had she done that early on she could've been on that ticket creating an almost impossible lead for McCain to obtain. Hilary, we love you but it's ok to gracefully bow out than lose altogether.
I don't care who endorses Barack Obama, I won't vote for him. If Hillary does not win, then I will for the time in my life vote for a Republican.
Sure it can and will help. Dont forget, just like in Texas, Obama is not expecting to win the State (unless something embarrassing happens to Hilary before 22 April). The Senators endorsement will certainly help narrow the Gap! It should also start the Bus of Super Delegates moving toward Obama!
I do believe that Senator Casey's endorsement of Obama will certainly make a difference. If anything, it will demonstrate that Pennsylvania does have an openness to a Black candidate, especially among working class, white men represented in many ways by Casey. Once again, Obama illustrates he has the leadership needed to truly form a broad based coalition which is a test in and of itself apriori to the presidency.
(Jack: With apologies to Ernest Lawrence Thayer's "Caey At The Bat" – here's my revised, abbreviated version)
The outlook wasn't brilliant for Obama on this day;
The score stood four for Clinton, but Obama came to play,
And then when Clinton almost died in Bosnia, and Chelsie did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon Pennsylvania – the next in this game.
There was ease in Senator Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit his face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed a nat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Bob Casey come to bat.
Oh, somewhere in this favored State the sun is shining bright,
The band was playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are cheering, and women all shout;
There is real joy in Pennsylvania – mighty Senator Casey has finally come out!
Kennedy & Kerry sure helped a lot. We will see what is more powerful between Casey's endorsement and HRC volunteers who call PA voters.
Jack,
He is just another Democrat that flip flops. First he is going to remain neutral and now he endorses Obama. He will probably vote for Hillary.
Frank, Virginia
We can only hope so. The blue collar workers in Pennsylvannia need to realize where their jobs are going too...thanks to NAFTA...and "The Clintons." However, "IF" either candidate gets more popular votes and these "superdelegates" do NOT present that person...the Democratic party is history.
Hey, Jack. Of course we remember "When You're Hot" -we also remember, "You Gotta Know When to Hold 'Em – Know When to Fold 'Em".
For me, as a Texas Democrat-–it would be merciful if Obama could pull off an upset in Pennsylvania and perhaps Hillary could see that "It is time to walk away."
Carolyn
Abilene, Tx
NO. The democrats need to ask Obama to give it up. Hillary has one the big democratic states that matter. The states Obama has won are republican states anyway. In addition, if all the votes were counted as they should be, Hillary would be ahead. Obama's resignation would be welcomed. If he becomes the Democrat nominee, I will vote republican.
"Typical white" EDUCATED
I think Mr. Casey's endorsement will help. I am not embarrass to say I am a "shifter" . That occurred back after 1/29. Combative approach/smear tactics, (i.e., "choice of pastor", etc.) is divisive, had raised Senator Clinton's negativity index and is not at all "Presidential". Or, as my younger friends would say, "it is not cool at all !!!"
It certainly won't hurt, but a better question is after the primary in Pennsylvania will Hillary reject and denounce the Governor for his racial statements? I think not
Jack...its about time another powerful Democrat in PA believes that someone else other than Sen. Clinton can help Pennsylvanians as well as everyday working Americans. The people in PA now have a great opportunity to make up for the mistake THE BUCKEYES made back in 2004 (Bush) and 2008 primaries (Clinton).
Can it? Yes. Will it? Unfortunately not.
WHY is so much attention given to the Obama's endorsements?
Either way, he will be our Demoncratic Candidate. This is just spending money on wasteful things,like they do while in Senate and waste the citizens' time!
Jack,
Casey's endorsement can be a big help for Obama. More and More, I think people are tiring of the negatives and want a leader who can take politics in a new direction in this country. That's Obama. BTW, I think there are plenty of reasons not to vote for McSame but age isn't one of them. I know plent of seventy plus year olds who are sharp both metally and physically. W is quite a bit younger than McSame but he can't even speak intelligently.
Senator Casey's endorsement will have no impact on Pennsylvania voters just as any of the previous endorsements that have had no impact on any other voter. Frankly, I may just abstain from voting this upcoming general election in November because the remaining 3 candidates do not TRULY represent change in Washington.
Never knew who Casey was until now. Can't see where it will help or hurt.
What good are endorsements? Let me tell you something.
My wife is for Hillary Clinton and I am for Barack Obama. We are from New Jersey and my wife is a big admirer and fan of yours since the 1980's when you were a local TV anchor in New York.
If you endorsed Barack Obama, she will feel a little guilty, but still vote for Hillary Clinton.. You have a good chance of swaying her if you called her and asked in person.
If you are endorsing Hillary Clinton already, please call my wife and convince her to leave me, then I will vote for Hillary Clinton based on your endorsement.
Other than that, these publicity stunts are as ineffective as those "Official soft drink of the Olympics" promotions trying to make me switch from my favorite.
Yes, anything will help and it is already narrowing hillary clinton's lead
in pennsylvania
The Casey endorsement represents a national rendition of the Rendell/Casey feud. In addition, the endorsement is a "get even" move by Senator Casey for his father being refused a speaking opportunity by Bill Clinton.