—
When President Barack Obama arrives for the Democratic National Convention in September, U.S. Rep. Mark Critz won’t be there.
Critz’s decision, and a few recent jabs he has taken at Obama moves in recent months, has his opponent’s campaign calling it a political game to “distance himself” from the president. Critz faces Allegheny County Republican Keith Rothfus in a 12th district battle that is predicted to be tight this fall.
“This is about politics,” said Jonathan Raso, spokesman for Rothfus. “This is something he decided to do after internal polling told him (it was the best move).”
Critz can run from Obama, “But he can’t hide,” Raso said, adding the congressman has voted with Obama nearly 70 percent of the time this year.
Not so fast, Critz campaign spokesman Mike Mikus countered. Critz also voted in line with Republican House Speaker John Boehner nearly 60 percent of the time, he added.
“What this shows is that Mark has done what he thought was best for Pennsylvania,” Mikus said, noting it sometimes means disagreeing with party colleagues.
“His focus is on western Pa., not party leaders in Washington, D.C., regardless of who the president is.”
Mikus called Critz an “independent voice for the region,” pointing to the Johnstown Democrat’s support of natural gas and coal energy efforts and his pro-gun, pro-life values.
He said Critz’s main reason for skipping September’s convention was because his time could be better spent in the 12th district, particularly when some voters in his newly realigned district are still becoming familiar with him.
The Rothfus campaign sees it differently.
Raso said “number-crunching” shows it is politically unwise to stand beside Obama. After Critz announced he would pass on the convention, the Rothfus camp half-jokingly suggested that Critz endorse Obama’s Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, for president.
That followed statements by Critz in recent months criticizing the White House for blocking the Keystone XL pipeline deal, hampering coal production efforts and failing to address “unfair trade deals” that shipped jobs overseas.
Such statements do not surprise veteran pollster G. Terry Madonna, a Franklin & Marshall College political science professor who has followed Pennsylvania and D.C. politics for decades. And the election-year mudslinging between the campaigns is typical, he added.
Madonna said Critz has shown differences with Obama since he first ran for Congress more than two years ago, noting the Johnstowner’s campaign opposed Obama’s health-care bill.
“He may not be a Blue Dog Democrat in fact, but he is in voting record,” said Madonna, noting the right-leaning Democrats who “try to stay in the middle.”
Critz is trying to get re-elected in a district carrying a conservative Democrat majority, “one where he’s a new face to many voters now. So it makes sense to show those differences,” Madonna said.
And, of course, it makes sense for Rothfus to try to define Critz’s moves, he added.
“In the end,” Madonna said, “this is all about the election.”
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
