BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Another day in Pennsylvania means another ad from Republican Senate hopeful Dave McCormick savaging Democratic Sen. Bob Casey for his close ties to Joe Biden — and this time it’s over the president trash-talking Trump voters.
McCormick wasted no time capitalizing on Biden’s immediately infamous remark declaring former President Donald Trump’s supporters “garbage” on a Tuesday night Zoom call.
He dropped an ad Wednesday calling Biden “Bob Casey’s best friend” and highlighting the senator’s glowing praise of the president.
“I would say in the case of Joe Biden, he has the kind of integrity that is uncommon,” Casey says as the ad cuts to him speaking about his fellow Scranton native.
“He’s someone who has the basic integrity you’d want in a public official,” says Casey in another clip.
President Biden’s ‘garbage supporters’ comment isn’t the first time he’s attacked Donald Trump voters:
- “It’s not just Trump, it’s the entire philosophy that underpins the — I’m going to say something, it’s like semi-fascism.” — Joe Biden at DNC fundraiser in Bethesda, Md., on Aug. 25, 2022.
- “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” — Biden at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Sept. 1, 2022.
- “We are talking about mega MAGA Republican officials who have been very clear about this, who say, you know, they are pro-police, but then they are also pro-insurrectionists.” — Karine Jean-Pierre at press briefing on Nov. 2, 2022.
- “There is no question that today’s Republican Party is driven and intimidated by MAGA extremists. Their extreme agenda, if carried out, would fundamentally alter the institutions of American Democracy as we know it.” — Biden in Tempe, Ariz., on Sept. 28, 2023.
- “Those MAGA voices who know the truth about Trump and January 6th have abandoned the truth and abandoned our democracy.” — Biden in Blue Bell, Pa., on Jan. 5, 2024.
The ad then cuts back to Biden’s “garbage” remark about Trump supporters, which came the day Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her campaign’s “closing argument” at the National Mall.
At the same time, Trump rallied in Allentown, Pa., where Hispanics account for about 55% of the population.
The Trump rally featured three Hispanic speakers — including Puerto Rico’s GOP shadow senator Zoraida Buxo — who tried to distance comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke at Sunday’s Madison Square Garden rally from the MAGA movement.
As the White House claims Biden misspoke, Harris weighed in on the drama Wednesday morning.
“First of all, he clarified his comments. But let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” the veep told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.
The Cook Political Report rates Casey and McCormick’s race a toss-up, moving it from lean Democrat this month.
