HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey finds himself in a precarious position.
He, along with other Democrats in tightly contested Senate races, is treading carefully amidst the chaos surrounding President Joe Biden following his disastrous debate performance. There is a palpable sense of unease among these Democrats as they attempt to downplay any potential fallout from Biden’s struggles.
However, with Senate control hanging in the balance, this political turmoil is an unavoidable obstacle for Democrats. They are defending a larger number of Senate seats compared to Republicans this year, particularly in crucial swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona.
Even incumbents in traditionally Republican-leaning states like Montana and Ohio are feeling the pressure. Additionally, there is an unexpected challenge from former Republican Governor Larry Hogan in the Democratic stronghold of Maryland.
The situation surrounding Biden poses a unique challenge for Casey, who has long been considered a safe bet for Democrats in battleground races. Despite his close ties to Biden and vocal defense of the president, Casey has been reluctant to address how Biden’s troubles might impact his own campaign.
During a recent interaction with The Associated Press, Casey chose to focus on his duties as a senator and a candidate, avoiding speculation on Biden’s standing. He emphasized that voters have the ability to make their own judgments.
Casey, who shares deep roots with Biden in Scranton, has stood by the president and campaigned with him on numerous occasions. Biden’s ties to Pennsylvania, where he has often claimed as his own, further complicate the situation.
While Casey has expressed his support for Biden during campaign events, his backing lacks the fervor of Pennsylvania’s other Democratic senator, John Fetterman. Fetterman has openly praised Biden for being the only one to defeat Trump in an election.
Meanwhile, other Democratic incumbents have taken a more cautious approach in distancing themselves from Biden both before and after the debate. Senators Jacky Rosen, Tammy Baldwin, Jon Tester, and Sherrod Brown have refrained from publicly endorsing the president since his debate performance.
Tester and Brown, who represent Republican-leaning states, have been careful to establish their independence from Biden. Tester, in particular, has consistently maintained a moderate stance to appeal to voters in Montana.
Despite expressing support for the president in the past, Tester has now adopted a more critical stance, insisting that Biden must prove his capabilities to the American people.
Ohio incumbent Sherrod Brown has also been evasive when questioned about Biden. During a recent conference call, Brown sidestepped queries about Biden’s candidacy and its potential impact on other Democrats.
Overall, Democratic incumbents face a challenging balancing act as they navigate the fallout from Biden’s debate performance. While some have chosen to distance themselves from the president, others like Casey continue to offer their support, albeit with caution.
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
