U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan Saturday told Chadds Ford Republicans that he can’t endorse Hillary Clinton for president, but he didn’t endorse Republican Donald Trump, either.
Meehan didn’t even mention Trump’s name during his brief talk and only did so when asked directly if he would endorse the Republican nominee.
His comments came during the Chadds Ford Republican Party’s annual luncheon, a day after newspaper reports of Trump’s vulgar bragging about his getting away with sexually assaulting women because he’s rich.
The District 7 representative urged the group to support the down-ticket in next month’s election. He specifically mentioned state Rep. Stephen Barrar, who was in attendance, and state Sen. Tom Killion, who left early for another event before Meehan’s arrival.
Meehan also urged support for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey because the House and Senate need to work together.
“I know with your support you’re going to give me a chance to continue to fight for us, but I need Pat Toomey. We need Pat Toomey because Pennsylvania may well cast the deciding voice in whether or not we have a Republican senate,” Meehan said. “Without Pat, we’re going to be back in a situation where we’ll lose the capacity to get something on the president’s desk. I’m going to ask you to take the time to talk about how important this race is.”
Meehan then mentioned the state attorney general’s race, Killion’s and Barrar’s re-election bids.
Throughout the seven-minute address, Meehan didn’t mention Trump by name, instead reminding voters not to forget about the rest of the ticket. “Some may be frustrated and say they’re not going to vote,” he said.
He finished speaking and started walking away when one person shot her hand up, asking, “What about Donald Trump? People don’t want to vote for you if you’re not for Donald Trump.”
Meehan’s response was, “I hope you do as I just said. Donald Trump is running for one office, and we have very important offices. I have great fear about what Hillary Clinton will mean as president. I’m worried about Donald Trump’s credibility. Donald Trump has a responsibility to you…to you…to handle that which you have given him. I’m hoping he can demonstrate that [during the next debate]. I’m hoping he can demonstrate that in the closing days.”
There was one other reference to Clinton and Trump in the form of one of the gift baskets that were being raffled. It was a “Patriotic Basket of Deplorables” in reference to what Clinton has called Trump supporters.
That basket, won by former Chadds Ford resident Pat Wells, consisted of a pillow, banner, tote bag, socks, suspenders, his and hers T-shirts, and a tie and bow tie.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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