Published: October 29, 2008 10:18 pm      

Casey stumping for Obama in Somerset, Bedford

SOMERSET — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey will make a final campaign pitch for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in stops today at diners in Somerset and Bedford.

Casey is scheduled to visit Landmark Restaurant on East Pitt Street in Bedford at 7:20 a.m., then head to the Summit Diner on North Center Avenue near the turnpike interchange in Somerset at 9.

In all, the first-term senator will visit 10 diners and senior centers in two days as part of his statewide “Change We Need” tour.

Along with discussing volunteer opportunities with the campaign designed to spur a strong Democratic turnout, Casey will promote Obama’s tax plan.

Saturday, Gov. Ed Rendell delivered a similar message during a visit to the Somerset VFW and Cambria County Democratic breakfast in Ebensburg.

The push is on to get votes for Obama outside the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions, particularly in strongly Republican areas such as Somerset County, said John Vatavuk, the county’s Democratic Party Chairman.

“Pennsylvania is a key battleground state,” Vatavuk said. “They know they can’t win here (in Somerset County), but they’re trying to get as many votes as they can.

“It seems like they’re really hitting areas like this because we don’t normally vote, and we vote more Republican than Democrat. They know it’s a tougher challenge here.”