RNC slams Obama, Casey ahead of Scranton visit

The Republican National Committee continued its "Failed Promises" campaign against President Obama today, in advance of his trip to Scranton to stump for extending the payroll tax cut into 2012.  RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Rob Gleason, chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, used a conference call this morning to criticize Obama's policies and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. for supporting them.

The RNC is again pushing a web video hitting Obama with his own words: In one interview he said of the failing economy, "If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one-term proposition."  The ad mixes video of Obama in a March 2008 visit to the Scranton area with a February 2009 interview on NBC's Today Show.

Casey, a Scranton native and part of a politically powerful family from that city, is not expected to make the trip with the president today.

"It is clear that Bob Casey is not an independent thinker or voice for Pennsylvania and would rather do exactly what Obama tells him instead of what's best for the Commonwealth," Priebus said of Casey, who is up for re-election next year with Obama.

Gleason said it would be a "slap in the face of the president" if Casey does not attend today's event in Scranton. "It shows a lack of confidence in the president's ability to help him be re-elected."

So far, nine Republicans have said they will run against Casey.  The highest profile in that group belongs to former state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County, who lost the Republican primary election for governor last year.  State Sen. Dominic Pileggi, the Republican majority leader from Delaware County, is considering joining the race.

"I welcome Senator Pileggi to the race," Gleason said. "Having Senator Pileggi in with a proven record of accomplishment would be a good thing."