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Pa. Senator to Endorse Obama

Backing represents big break; Casey had vowed to stay neutral in crucial race

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2008 9:05 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey will endorse Barack Obama today, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, in what could be big break for the presidential hopeful who's been trailing Hillary Clinton in polls there. Not only can Casey help Obama with Keystone State Democrats, says Politico’s Ben Smith, but his endorsement could signal a superdelegate surge to Obama. Casey had vowed to stay neutral until after the April 22 primary.

Casey wields influence with Pennsylvania's working-class voters, a demographic that usually breaks Clinton’s way. But Casey admires Obama’s populist roots as a community organizer “in the shadow of closed steel mills,” according to a source close to Casey. The senator’s daughters also helped convince him to endorse. “He thinks we shouldn't be deaf to the voices of the next generation.”

Barack Obama, left, and Bob Casey Jr. right, greet supporters after talking with campaign volunteers working for Casey's campaign to unseat Republican Rick Santorum in Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, 2006.
Barack Obama, left, and Bob Casey Jr. right, greet supporters after talking with campaign volunteers working for Casey's campaign to unseat Republican Rick Santorum in Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, 2006.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, FILE)
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., talks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Jan. 3, 2007 file photo.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., talks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Jan. 3, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)
Democrat Bob Casey appears on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006, in Washington. Barack Obama is expected to gain the endorsement of Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Friday March 28, 2008.
Democrat Bob Casey appears on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006, in Washington. Barack Obama is expected to gain the endorsement of Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Friday March 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, FILE)
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