Both candidates stuck to familiar attack lines while defending their positions on critical issues during this week’s debate in Philadelphia.
In what was called a “mostly tame” debate between incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey and his Republican challenger Dave McCormick, the discussion on abortion was “one of the more contentious” moments. McCormick argued the Supreme Court was correct in its decision overturning Roe v. Wade and that it’s ultimately “a state’s rights issue” in which “judges shouldn’t decide, people should decide.” He also reiterated his stance that he would not support legislation instituting a national ban on abortion.
Casey said when he recently voted “to restore those rights”, he “had a very clear choice at the moment…you had to make a decision.” Casey ultimately voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act which would enact federal protections for abortion.
The debate started on a question about the economy and the cost of living. Since President Joe Biden was sworn into office in January 2021, the Consumer Price Index has increased 20%, meaning most goods and services now cost 20% more than they did in 2020. Casey touted his record of going after “price gouging”, blaming corporations on rising prices. McCormick said the blame lies at the feet of the Biden-Harris administration’s spending, and that the problem “is caused by bad policy”, referring to what he said was $5 trillion in new spending under the Biden-Harris administration that Casey supported.. McCormick said Democratic efforts to rein in price gouging amounts to price controls, arguing when “then government should decide” prices, it’s “socialism.”
When the topic of energy production came up, both candidates agreed on the need for an “all of the above” approach. McCormick argued the United States should be exporting more natural gas, which is abundant in Pennsylvania, as a means to counter China, which has expanded its energy production via coal. Casey defended his vote for legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which McCormick criticized, saying the law is creating jobs for Pennsylvanians.
Among the topics discussed, one that has not gotten much media attention in many Senate races, is the question of whether to end the Senate’s filibuster. Casey argued the filibuster must be eliminated because it is stopping legislation like gun control while McCormick believes the filibuster should remain to prevent bills that some may characterize as extreme from passing. According to Senate rules, a vote to end debate and proceed on legislation must receive 60 votes, rather than a simple majority of 51. The filibuster has been a hallmark of the Senate since its inception, when it was originally the intent to stop progress of a bill by “talking a bill to death.”