Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Republican challenger David McCormick met Thursday for their first debate in the crucial race for a swing-state seat, with each candidate repeatedly accusing the other of lying and asking questions about energy . the sale of US Steel and turning tariffs into personal attacks.
The outcome of the race, one of the most expensive in the country, could help determine which party controls the closely divided Senate.
During the combative late-night debate, Casey tried to convey the message that McCormick is a wealthy ex-hedge fund executive, while McCormick portrayed Casey as a weak, do-nothing career politician.
Casey hammered home the investments McCormick’s hedge fund made in Chinese companies, including those that the federal government came to view as part of Beijing’s military and surveillance industrial complex. McCormick called Casey willing to vote with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris 99% of the time.
Casey and McCormick are against the sale of US Steel
One of the sharpest exchanges during the 60-minute debate occurred after Casey and McCormick agreed that they were both against the sale of US Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel.
McCormick blamed Casey for the iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker canceling a $1.5 billion project for a state-of-the-art improvement to the Mon Valley Works operations after failing to obtain environmental permits from Allegheny County.
“This is the kind of leadership failure that is taking Pennsylvania in the wrong direction,” McCormick said.
“He was in Connecticut when that happened, let’s be clear about that,” Casey shot back. referring to when McCormick lived in the northeastern state for twelve years as director of a hedge fund. “So he has no right to talk about what should have happened in Pennsylvania.”
Pressing his case, McCormick said, “We lost those jobs because of you. … You’re a weak senator, you’re a liberal senator, you’re a career politician who wants it both ways.”
The proposed merger faces significant opposition. Several news media have reported this Biden plans to block the deal as soon as he receives a decision from the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States, or CFIUS. The White House has downplayed these reports, saying only that CIFUS is reviewing the deal because of potential national security concerns and could advise against the merger.
Candidates discuss immigration
Casey quickly suggested that McCormick is not strong or independent enough to defy former President Donald Trump and support a sweeping immigration reform bill that includes hundreds of millions of dollars to hire more customs agents and strengthen investigations into the fentanyl trade.
“Why don’t you show some strength and support the border bill,” Casey told McCormick, referring to the Republican opposition that scuttled the bill after Trump said the immigration measures attached to it were not strict enough.
On other issues, the candidates agreed on the need for tariffs to protect certain industries, such as steel and aluminum, while disagreeing with the Senate filibuster.
Casey supported getting rid of the filibuster, saying it prevents voting on issues such as the rights of women, voters and unions, legislation he said McCormick would oppose. Senators should vote on the “big issues and fulfill the wishes and aspirations of those who voted for us,” he said.
McCormick countered that the filibuster protects moderation.
“We can’t have extremes on either side,” McCormick said.
McCormick also said he supports Trump’s pledge to carry out an unauthorized mass deportation of immigrants into the country – prioritizing those with criminal records – and insisted he would protect Social Security and Medicare while would support the extension of the tax cuts passed under Trump.
Casey accused McCormick of wanting to extend those cuts to give a break to the same billionaires who donate to the campaign.
Casey and McCormick are vying for the Pennsylvania Senate seat
Casey, 64, perhaps Pennsylvania’s best-known politician, is seeking a fourth term and faces what he calls his toughest reelection challenge yet. He is a staunch union ally, former state auditor general and treasurer and Pennsylvania’s longest-serving Senate Democrat. He has campaigned on preserving the middle class, abortion rights, labor rights and voting rights, all of which he says threaten McCormick and Donald Trump. threat to.
McCormick, 59, is making his second run for Senate after narrowly losing to Dr. Mehmet Oz during the 2022 Republican primaries. He is a former hedge fund CEO who served at the highest levels of former President George W. Bush’s administration and was a member of Trump’s Defense Advisory Council.
The candidates have agreed to a new debate, which will take place on October 15 on a TV station in Philadelphia.
Both Casey and McCormick were uncontested because of their party’s nominations in the primaries.
Also on the Nov. 5 Senate ballot are John Thomas of the Libertarian Party, Leila Hazou of the Green Party and Marty Selker of the Constitution Party. They were not invited to the debate.
