Friday, October 26, 2012
Posted By AmyJo Brown on Fri, Oct 26, 2012 at 11:58 AM
[View the story "Sen. Bob Casey Jr. Debates R-challenger Tom Smith" on Storify]Sen. Bob Casey Jr. Debates R-challenger Tom SmithDemocratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who is seeking his second term in the U.S. Senate, debates R-challenger Tom Smith today at the Philadelphia studios of WPVI-TV. The debate was not aired live, but reporters in the room tweeted throughout the recording. To watch, tune to WTAE Sunday at 5 p.m.Storified by AmyJo Brown · Fri, Oct 26 2012 08:29:02Please follow her for live tweets during the Casey vs. Smith debate RT @melissamdaniels: In the studio: #pasen http://pic.twitter.com/TKpYc049PA IndependentSmith seemed at ease & was making jokes. Both he and Casey prepare to debate. #pasen http://flic.kr/p/dnYfUdSy SnyderRT @Owens_abc27: Smith got high-five from woman before going into studio for debate. #pasen #abc27voteMegan PiwowarIn the studio 2: #pasen http://pic.twitter.com/JlKiIs08Melissa DanielsInteresting backdrop for the #PASen debate RT @RasmussenPoll #Pennsylvania Senate: #Casey (D) 46%, #Smith (R) 45%Sy Snyder1st q: are you proud of this campaign, and do you think it has reached voters? #pasenMelissa DanielsSmith sounding a lot like #Romney. Says he has a 5 point plan and he wants to change things in Washington. #pasen debateTracie MaurielloSmith: "I'm not a career politician I'm a businessman who wants to go to Washington and change things." #pasen #abc27 voteDennis OwensCasey uses very first question to hit Smith on Medicare. Not wasting any time. #pasenColby ItkowitzCasey dings Smith for saying he'd repeal Medicare, Smith counters with saying ACA should be repealed. #pasenMelissa DanielsCasey interrupts Smith says his claims about taxes in Obamacare not true. Smith looks at him, slightly perplexed, says, uh ok. #pasenColby ItkowitzCasey says repealing ACA is like putting your head in the sand and doing nothing #pasenMelissa Daniels#Casey is a more experienced debater and it shows. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey says yes to tariffs on China. #PASenSy SnyderCasey just tried to create space between himself and Obama; Smith rebuts that Casey votes with Obama over 90% of the time #pasenValerie CarasSmith says "You haven't passed budget in over 3 years. Casey: "That's not true." Smith: "It is true." #pasenMelissa DanielsSmith says he's not beholden to anyone, brings up that he was a Democrat (play to indies?) #pasenColby ItkowitzSmith is fumbling a lot - not his forte. But he's doing a good job criticizing Bob Casey #PASenSy SnyderCasey: "If we’re going to allow tea party ideology to control Washington, we’re going to be in worse shape" #pasenColby ItkowitzHoo boy, gun question. Would you like to see stricter regulations for handguns? #PASenSy SnyderWe're onto gun safety. Casey says PA has strong consensus on the issue. #pasenMelissa DanielsRT @terrymadonna: Both Casey and Smith oppose additional gun control laws. #pasenJohn GramlichSmith basically tells moderators their gun control question is dumb, says he'd rather be talking about jobs #pasenColby ItkowitzSmith gets asked to address gun control. He says he supports 2nd amendment then uses rest of his time to talk about job creation. #pasenTracie MaurielloSmith: cut spending in other areas so government can invest in infrastructure without raising taxes. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey: We need to invest in infrastructure, including technological infrastructure. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey laments that Ds and Rs used to work together on robust transportation bill. (That was when they could fill it with earmarks) #pasenColby ItkowitzCasey: Compromise is needed to avoid sequester. He will compromise on spending cuts, but not reckless ones. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey: I don't have a written plan, but my votes in the United States Senate indicates what my priorities would be. #pasenTracie MaurielloModerator is pressing for more specifics. Casey says it's impractical for every lawmaker to have own written plan. #pasenTracie MaurielloSmith: Fiscal cliff has been caused by lack of leadership, and Casey has not come forward with a plan #senatorzero #pasenValerie Caras"I've come forward with a plan. My opponent has no plan." #PaSen #TeamSmithTom SmithSmith says he has a 5 step plan for the economy. He gets through 3 of them before moving on. #PASenSy SnyderSmith: Need to simplify tax code, reduce spending and save Medicare and Medicaid. #pasenTracie MaurielloSmith asked for specific cuts he would make. Dodges a lot. Finally lands on the Dept. of Energy #PASenSy SnyderSmith: "I always start [cutting] where the biggest problem is, and it's in all the departments." Well, that's specific. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey: If you want middle class tax increase, Tom Smith is your candidate #pasenColby ItkowitzHere comes the abortion question. #pasenTracie MaurielloHere we go. A question on Mourdock's rape comments #pasenColby ItkowitzSmith says "No, not at all" does he agree with Mourdock. #PASen Moderator asks where Smith disagrees with Mourdock.Sy SnyderSmith tries to dodge abortion question but moderator makes him answer. Says he is pro-life period. #pasenTracie MaurielloSmith has been avoiding talking much about abortion since this flap: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-state/gop-senate-candidate-smith-no-exceptions-to-allow-abortion-650735/ #pasenTracie MaurielloBoth candidates say they are pro-life. Smith calls moderator, Jim, Larry. #pasenMelissa DanielsSmith confuses Jim Gardner for Larry Kane. Calls him Larry. #pasenColby ItkowitzHe calls moderator wrong name a second time. #pasenTracie MaurielloNext question: Iranian uranium. Say that five times fast. #pasenTracie MaurielloSolution to Iran? "Hope cooler heads prevail," -Smith #pasenColby ItkowitzCasey is on the Foreign Relations Committee so this question on Iran is right up his alley. Pressure's on 4 him 2 give a good answer. #pasenTracie MaurielloCasey: We need to ensure Iran doesn't reach nuclear capability and must stick with Israel. #pasenTracie MaurielloDebate ending on education. Interesting since pro-Dem super PAC just went up in PA hitting Smith on ending Dept of Ed #pasenColby ItkowitzAffirmative action question now. Should race be part of college admission process? #PASenSy SnyderSmith quotes MLK. Judged by content of character. Says if the af-action is overturned the federal government shouldn't act. #PASenSy SnyderCasey ends strong, says seven newspapers from Pittsburgh to Philly and many in between have endorsed him b/c of his record #pasenColby ItkowitzThe #PASen debate is ovahSy Snyder
Tags: Bob Casey , Tom Smith , Debate
Previous
Next
These eco-friendly Pittsburgh restaurants are putting in the work to be sustainable
Now Hiring in Pittsburgh: Public Source, Powdermill Nature Reserve, Cinderlands Beer Co., and more
Clay Pittsburgh fires up pottery community with studio tours, big plans for the future
The choices are few but the stakes are high in Pa.'s upcoming primary
By Colin Williams
All the Pittsburgh News You Missed This Week (Feb. 22-Mar. 1)
By Jamie Wiggan
Environmental advocates call on Pa. federal electeds to push for cleaner cars
By Jordana Rosenfeld
Local officials, advocates respond to death of Roe v. Wade
By Aakanksha Agarwal
By Morgan Biddle
By Amanda Waltz
Lawrence Hall, Pittsburgh's swanky new food hall, puts past and present on the plate
