Obama Emphasize Economy In Trip to PA

Barack visits PA on Friday. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Obama and his running mate, Biden, visited Duryea, PA on Friday. Duryea is a small town located between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Possibly the campaign was trying to get hometown support, as Biden is originally from Scranton. Duryea is in the heart of PA, which consists of mainly blue collar workers. History has shown that manufacturing jobs are the first to layoff in a poor economy (however they are the first ones to come back). With the disappointing unemployment numbers just released, showing over 80,000 jobs cut in August and over half million for the year, Obama discussed his plans to turn the economy around. Obama showed compassion for their plight, which could give a boost - even though the economy is fickle and the executive has a minimized role, compared to other issues.

Overall, Obama seemed to get the right issue, and should keep the economy the number 1 issue for PA. This is an issue that affects most in Pennsylvania, espically rural communites and Pittsburgh, which is generally Republican.