Casey for president? U.S. senator from Pa. says it could happen

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he has one of the necessities for winning the race for president.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., gives a victory speech during his election night party in Scranton, Pa., on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., gives a victory speech during his election night party in Scranton, Pa., on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)

Former Vice President Joe Biden is thinking about it. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey has been visiting Iowa and New Hampshire. Now a third Democrat from the region is considering a run for the White House.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he has one of the necessities for winning the race for president.

“I know we can win this state. I know others can carry this state as well, but if Democrats don’t carry Pennsylvania, we can’t win in 2020, so if you are able to win in this state, you should consider it,” Casey said.

On Nov. 6, Casey won his bid for another term by more than 10 percentage points. Applying that math, Casey said, has brought him to the point of seriously thinking about a run for the White House.

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“Absolutely, because of what we are up against in terms of changing parties in 2020. This is fundamental in terms of a make or break moment for the middle class, for our standing in the world. We cannot allow another four years of Trumpism,” he said.

Whatever the political considerations, there are other factors he will have to weigh.

“The first stage in a decision like this that is so monumental, it has to be very personal. We’re not even close to a question about talking about strategy or mechanics, it’s really just some personal conversations,” he said. “This kind of a decision is very personal and family oriented, I’ve barely begun those discussions.”

Casey says he has no timetable for making up his mind and doing so could take “some time.”

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