Politicians Give Obama The Cold Shoulder In Pennsylvania

Jillian Bandes | June 03, 2010 8:52 AM

No one was watching President Obama's speech at Carnegie Mellon University yesterday because a) Obama has already given enough speeches to last him ten Presidential terms, b) Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanhayu completely upstaged him. But it is worth noting that not even Democratic, elected officials in the state of Pennsylvania were willing to give the President the time of day.

Reps. Jason Altmire (D), Tim Murphy (R), Mike Doyle (D), and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D) all had excuses as to why they couldn't be there to greet the President as he stepped off of Air Force One. Not even Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato (D) could make time for Obama — campaigning for Governor was more important. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was all there by his lonesome self to receive the President.

Jim Lee, president of a local polling firm in Pennsylvania, gave a great reason as to why at least Altmire ducked out when questioned by the Pittsburgh Times-Review.

I think Altmire fears a Charlie Crist moment.

That could probably apply to any of those politicians who didn't show up. Between Crist, Sestak, and Romanoff, it's clear that having Obama in your back pocket doesn't do you a whole lot of good when it comes to actually staying in politics.