In their first and potentially only debate, Republican challenger Dave McCormick delivered a strong performance against incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, as indicated by a poll conducted by ABC27 WHTM, where viewers said McCormick outshined Casey.
Sen. Bob Casey, who has held his Senate seat since 2007, faced off against McCormick, a West Point graduate and combat veteran, in the debate.
A key moment occurred when Casey expressed his support for ending the filibuster, particularly to pass legislation protecting abortion rights, a position that aligns him with the more progressive wing of his party.
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“Right now, the filibuster acts as a block to make progress on background checks for common-sense gun legislation… Women’s rights are blocked. Voting rights are blocked. Workers’ rights… protecting workers’ rights to join a union… All of that is blocked by the filibuster,” Casey said during the debate, arguing that his opponent, McCormick, supports maintaining the filibuster.
Bob Casey admits that he will GUT what Casey calls the “arcane” filibuster: pic.twitter.com/XYiaoISgis
— Pennsylvanians for McCormick (@PAforMcCormick) October 4, 2024
McCormick seized the opportunity to criticize Casey’s voting record, accusing him of being a rubber stamp for the Biden-Harris agenda. “He is a 99 percent vote for Biden-Harris,” McCormick claimed, adding that Casey would continue to be a “sure vote” for the current administration’s policies, which he argued are harmful to Pennsylvania voters.
Leftist @Bob_Casey gets absolutely torched at the PA Senate Debate tonight 🔥
“He is a 99% vote for Biden-Harris. He’ll be a 99% vote for Harris-Walz.” – @DaveMcCormickPApic.twitter.com/aFhKxq6B2O
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 4, 2024
Who do you think will win the Presidential election in November?
96.97% (96 votes)
Donald Trump
3.03% (3 votes)
Kamala Harris
McCormick also attacked Casey’s stance on immigration and border security. “What chutzpah to run an ad on how tough he is on the border when he voted against funding for the Border Patrol,” McCormick said, criticizing Casey’s record on illegal immigration and accusing him of voting in favor of sanctuary cities and federal benefits for illegal immigrants.
McCormick emphasized the need for immediate mass deportations, saying, “We have made Americans less secure… because of the weakness of Bob Casey and Democrats on this issue.”
🔥 Dave McCormick just scorched Bob Casey during the PA Senate debate on the border, says “ABSOLUTELY” we must enact deportations
“[He] ran an ad on how tough he is on the border – when he voted AGAINST funding for the Border Patrol. He ran an ad in front of the wall that he… pic.twitter.com/UkZqwW6TxT
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 4, 2024
On foreign policy, McCormick challenged Casey’s commitment to Israel. McCormick pointed out that Casey voted in favor of the Iran nuclear deal, which McCormick blamed for empowering Iran.
“The original sin was the funding of Iran… Gave Iran $100 billion of sanctioned money that’s been used to underwrite terrorism,” McCormick said, accusing Casey of failing to stand firmly with Israel.
McCormick also highlighted Casey’s endorsement of Democrat Summer Lee, who has been criticized for making anti-Israel comments.
We need to stand with Israel and Pennsylvania’s Jewish Community.
Bob Casey has been too weak to stand up to antisemites at home and was the deciding vote for the Iran Deal — giving Iran billions to underwrite global terrorism. pic.twitter.com/vmHAQpwzKy
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) October 4, 2024
In closing, McCormick portrayed Casey as a career politician who has lost touch with Pennsylvanians. “Bob Casey is a weak leader. Bob Casey is a career politician… Washington changed Bob Casey,” McCormick concluded, asserting that the senator no longer represents the values he was elected to uphold.
MUST WATCH: Dave McCormick’s closing statement after obliterating career politician Bob Casey in the Pennsylvania Senate debate:
“Bob is not just part of the problem; Bob Casey IS the problem.”pic.twitter.com/i88S8NcbT1
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 4, 2024
This debate marks a pivotal moment in Pennsylvania’s Senate race, as McCormick seeks to unseat Casey by framing him as out of step with voters and too aligned with the Biden-Harris administration.
With the election nearing, the contrast between the two candidates on key issues such as abortion, immigration, and foreign policy has set the stage for a heated contest in the coming weeks.
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