“Unfortunate Comments”

Standard

“The House Majority Leader’s unfortunate comments notwithstanding, […] there is no evidence that the purpose behind the Voter ID Law was to disenfrancise (sic) minorities or persons who, along party lines, may be more inclined to vote for Democratic candidates.” – Judge Bernard McGinley in decision overturning

PA House Majority Leader Mike Turzai’s “unfortunate comments”:

“Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it’s done. First pro-life legislation – abortion facility regulations – in 22 years, done. Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.”

From New York Times 2012 Exit Polls

Race:

  • 2012 PA White voters – Romney 57%
  • 2012 PA Black voters – Obama 93%
  • 2012 PA Hispanic voters – Obama 80%

Gender:

  • 2012 PA Male voters – Romney 51%
  • 2012 PA Women voters – Obama 54%

Income:

  • 2012 PA Voters Income Under 30k – Obama 74%
  • 2012 PA Voters Income 30k to 49,999 – Obama 61%
  • 2012 PA Voters Income 50k or more – Romney 56%
  • 2012 PA Voters Income 100k or more Romney 54%

Obama won core Democratic constituencies by a greater margin in 2012 than 2008, PA Republicans still passed legislation they wanted. Pro-gun castle doctrine, pro-life abortion facility regulations were passed without voter ID. So even after the PA Republican party’s legislative agenda was enacted into law, this Republican legislator was insisting that voter ID was the law (which was not implemented due to court challenges) that would deliver Romney long Democratic Pennsylvania.