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WILKES-BARRE — Saying “the corporate agenda of President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans has betrayed the middle class, our children and all Americans seeking a fair shot at the American Dream,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Thursday said that he is endorsing Vice President Joe Biden for President.
“These policies have increased the fortunes of the super-rich and large multi-national corporations, while leaving behind too many working families struggling to make ends meet,” Casey said in a prepared news release. “At this make-or-break moment for the middle class, our children and our workers, America needs Vice President Joe Biden to be its next President.”
Biden formally announced his candidacy on Thursday, entering the crowded 2020 Democratic field as a front-runner.
Casey said Biden has spent a lifetime fighting battles on behalf of hardworking Americans while ensuring America’s values and interests are represented abroad. As both a U.S. Senator and our Vice President, Casey said Biden has delivered results for the middle class, kept our country safe and strengthened our standing in the world.
“I have worked closely with Joe Biden on a range of issues important to the people of Pennsylvania while he served as Vice President and U.S. Senator,” Casey said. “I know he will fight for Pennsylvania families as President. In order to accomplish the urgent task of defeating President Trump, Democrats must win Pennsylvania. Joe Biden can and will win Pennsylvania if he is the Democratic nominee for President.”
Casey said he is confident that Biden will work to raise wages for middle class families, provide a better future for our children and restore America’s standing in the world.
“And that is why I am endorsing him to be the next President of the United States,” he said.
Trump welcomes Biden
An Associated Press story said President Trump is welcoming former Vice President Joe Biden to the 2020 race with a taste of his acerbic Twitter commentary.
AP reports that Trump tweeted Thursday: “Welcome to the race Sleepy Joe,” one of his nicknames for Biden, a fellow septuagenarian. He adds: “I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign.”
The AP story goes on to say that Trump predicts that the race to face him in the general election will be “nasty,” but says if Biden wins the nomination, “I will see you at the Starting Gate!”
PA GOP reacts
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Val DiGiorgio said Biden is joining “the crowded field of liberals and socialists” in seeking the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination.
DiGiorgio noted that Biden twice unsuccessfully sought the nomination in the past.
“Joe Biden helped President Barack Obama oversee the worst economic recovery following a recession in this country’s history,” DiGiorgio said. “On top of that, Joe Biden was a key adviser to eight years of a Presidency that resulted in the terrible Iran nuclear deal, turned a blind eye to Russian interference in the 2016 election, attacked religious organizations, forced unrealistic government mandates onto Americans, and pushed Americans into a health care system where they could not keep doctors they liked and are forced to pay increasing premiums.”
“Joe Biden’s record offers nothing to Pennsylvanians and a Biden Presidency would return this country to some of its least promising days,” he added.
