Boehner To Campaign In Pennsylvania

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama won’t be the only ones trolling through Pennsylvania this weekend, as House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) will spend the weekend in the state campaigning for three House races.

Boehner was to begin the two-day swing with a press conference on Friday afternoon with former Congresswoman Melissa Hart, who is running again to reclaim her seat from Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) who defeated Hart in 2006.

The Keystone State is the center of the political universe this week, ahead of its crucial Democratic primary on Tuesday.

According to aides, Boehner is expected to criticize Sen. Barack Obama for recent remarks in which Obama said he was not surprised that many people in small towns were “bitter” because of job losses. Boehner was also expected to press Altmire to denounce Obama’s comments

Boehner will also campaign with current Reps. Phil English (R-Pa.) and Tim Murphy (R-Pa.).

Democrats, however, were ready for Boehner’s visit.

“John Boehner should explain to the people of Pennsylvania whether he agrees with Sen. McCain that there has been great economic progress under George W. Bush,” said Doug Thornell, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“It is these sorts of out of touch comments that are going to sink Republicans in November.”