Incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey is being criticized by his GOP rival for “soft thinking” on Israel’s war on Hamas.
Dave McCormick is taking his Democratic opponent to task for failing to distance himself from a progressive “Squad”-aligned member of Congress also from Pennsylvania. McCormick recently told the Washington Examiner that Casey must disavow and rescind his support for Democrat Rep Summer Lee, who has a history of criticizing Israel and voted against a non-binding resolution in the House to show solidarity with Israel in the wake of Hamas’ October 7th attack.
Support for Israel is becoming a wedge issue not only in the race between Casey and McCormick, but also within the Democratic Party. Casey’s counterpart in the Senate, former Lieutenant Governor-turned-Senator John Fetterman has repeatedly and forcefully voiced his unwavering support for Israel. Fetterman’s vociferous defense of Israel contrasts greatly with Casey’s relatively tepid statements, such that Fetterman has received praise from Republicans and criticism from his own party.
The stark difference between Casey and Fetterman on Israel has also been noticed by the National Republican Senate Committee. NRSC Chair Sen. Steve Daines slammed Casey for not voicing the same “moral clarity” as Fetterman in response to antisemitic protests on college campuses across the country.
McCormick further criticized Casey for his lack of being out front on many issues. “He’s not a leader. He’s not willing to get out there and shape the future”, McCormick told the Examiner.
Appearing to confirm McCormick’s criticism, Casey refused to answer questions from a political tracker or from the Washington Free Beacon on the Biden administration’s apparent plan to relocate refugees from Gaza to the United States. McCormick’s campaign recently released an ad blasting Casey and President Biden over the proposal.
Beyond the current hostilities between Israel and Hamas, Casey has taken questionable votes in the past. He supported the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2015, which Republicans roundly rejected and Israel opposed, with Israeli political leaders calling the deal “one of the darkest days in world history.”
Pennsylvania Democrats are facing questions of support for our ally up and down the ballot. In addition to the Casey-McCormick fight and Rep Summer Lee’s controversial anti-Israel history, the Democratic candidate for State Treasurer criticized her GOP opponent, incumbent State Treasurer Stacy Garrity for purchasing $20 million of Israel Bonds.
Recent polling shows the plurality of Pennsylvania voters side with Israel in their war with Hamas, despite young voters giving their support to Hamas and Palestine.
