BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After breaking briefly with Democratic power-brokers over a Russian prisoner exchange, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is back standing with them as another controversy hovers around the top of the ticket.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Casey responded to claims of stolen valor surrounding Kamala Harris’ running mate, Gov. Tim Walz.
“I think when someone serves as Governor Walz did for 24 years, I think that service should be lauded and commended, not to be denigrated,” Casey said.
Walz has faced sharp criticism from a former Minnesota National Guard commander, as well as GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance, over past comments that seemed to misrepresent the extent of his military service.
“We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war is the only place where those weapons are at,” Walz said in 2018 while discussing the issue of gun control.
The gov later said he misspoke and acknowledged he never experienced direct combat.
In the weeks following President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, Casey was one of a few swing-state Democrats who opted to publicly support Biden as party leader.
At times, Casey’s staffers went to considerable lengths to protect the senator from questions about Biden’s mental state.
Meanwhile Casey’s opponent, Republican businessman Dave McCormick, has sought to capitalize on the incumbent’s pattern of falling in line when the going gets tough.
“Bob Casey is lying about Joe Biden’s failing cognitive abilities, skirting responsibility for rising costs, and refuses to take responsibility for fueling open borders,” McCormick posted to X/Twitter on Monday.
“Now, he’s covering for Tim Walz’s lies,” McCormick added. “You can’t trust Casey to tell the truth.”
The race between Casey and McCormick is expected to be the country’s most expensive this election cycle, with total ad spending projected to reach $360 million.
