PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined Pennsylvania Democrats in Philadelphia on Friday for the annual party dinner. The joint appearance underscored the importance of the Pennsylvania races.
“It’s good to be back in Philly,” said Biden at the event inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center. He lavished praise on gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, who was not present, and Senate candidate John Fetterman who appeared at the dinner.
Fetterman is key to the president’s agenda, giving an additional Democratic vote to the Women’s Health Act, the Voting Rights Act, and even — the President said — an assault weapons ban.
Harris, who acts as president of the Senate in her role, said she would welcome the help.
“I will tell you, as a point of pride, I have already broken John Adams's record of tie-breaking votes in the Senate in my first year,” she said.
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“11 days,” Biden, Harris and Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison each said, emphasizing the urgency, for Democrats, of a strong turn-out — especially in party stronghold Philadelphia, which put the Biden-Harris ticket over the top in 2020.
“It’s not hyperbole to suggest that all eyes are on Pennsylvania. So much is at stake for this state, for this country that we all love,” said Biden.
“It’s going to shape what this country looks like for the next decade or more.”
Biden touted his record as a platform for Democratic candidates to run on, citing job growth, higher incomes, infrastructure investments, deficit reduction, the fight for lower drug prices and student debt relief.
“I don’t want to hear it from MAGA Republicans who got PPP loans forgiven, and they’re attacking middle-class Americans for a break on the cost of their tuition. Give me a break, man,” he said.
Republican Mehmet Oz’s campaign parked an idling truck outside the dinner with a wrap-around screen to play Tuesday’s debate, during which Fetterman often struggled for words.
Fetterman brushed it off.
“I’ll be much better in January and he’ll still be a fraud,” said Fetterman.
But the biggest cheers of the night came when Biden raised his pant leg to show off bright red Phillies socks, just hours before Game 1 of the World Series in Houston.
“Go Phillies,” said the longtime Philadelphia sports fan.
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