In order to become the next senator from Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey will need to harness the support of the rural swaths of the Keystone State to offset the Democrat strongholds in the urban areas, especially Philadelphia where Democrats outnumber Republicans six to one.
And so he’s closing out a weeklong “More Jobs, Less Government” tour that’s crisscrossing the state, hitting what Democrats would regard as generally hostile “flyover country.” Toomey’s visiting places like Reading, Lititz, Altoona, and Murraysville — some towns larger than others, but all critical for turnout on Tuesday.
He’s visiting 17 counties over the course of seven days, and appearing with everyone from Tom Corbett to guests like Haley Barbour, Tim Pawlenty, and Chris Christie.
This news should relieve some Battle ‘10 readers who have expressed concern about a perceived lack of attention to his base. In the enthusiasm/turnout game, this tour will probably end up being a critical play.
NR’s Robert Costa examines the strength of the rural vote today in a piece on the 4th district race.