UPDATED: Toomey, at Penn State, Says ‘Misguided Policies’ Inhibit Economic Recovery

Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Pat Toomey is ‘thrilled with where the campaign is’ as the Nov. 2 elections loom next week, he said Wednesday morning in State College.

‘We’ve got tremendous energy, tremendous enthusiasm,’ Toomey said, addressing a crowd estimated at roughly 100 people at Penn State University Park. New poll results released Wednesday by Franklin and Marshall College show Toomey with a seven-percent lead over his rival in the Pennsylvania race, Democratic nominee Joe Sestak.

At University Park, Toomey criticized Sestak for supporting the federal stimulus package and government bailouts seen since President Obama took office in 2009. He said that ‘growing government does not create … family-sustaining jobs.’

‘The only reason we don’t have a strong (economic) recovery is because of the misguided policies in Washington,’ Toomey said, advocating tighter limits on taxation and regulation.

Toomey, appearing in the HUB-Robeson Center, spoke about 10 minutes before turning the floor over to the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee, Tom Corbett. Corbett spoke for another 10 minutes, calling for a reduction in government-held debt and lower taxes, among other priorities.

‘This campaign is really about you, the young people … and what your future is going to be,’ Corbett said. He lamented the loss of jobs from Pennsylvania and said the state needs to be more business-friendly if it’s to attract more economic growth.

Return to StateCollege.com later today for more thorough rally coverage, including more photos.

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Earlier coverage, posted @ 6:37 a.m. Wednesday:

A get-out-the-vote rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett and U.S. senatorial candidate Pat Toomey is planned for Wednesday at Penn State University Park, the Centre County Republican organization has announced.

Both Corbett and Toomey, along with more regional GOP candidates for elected offices, are expected to attend. Incumbent state Sen. Jake Corman, of Benner Township, and Republican state House candidate Joyce Haas, of Patton Township, are among those expected.

The Wednesday event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the HUB-Robeson Center, according to the county party. It’s expected to be hosted in the HUB ballroom and to be open to the public, an online announcement says.

Related coverage

• Ridge, at Nittany Lion Inn, Endorses Toomey (Sept. 9, 2010)

• StateCollege.com Launches Local Politics Page (Oct. 21, 2010)