Harrisburg, PA — Yesterday, the “Wall Street: Mr. Toomey’s Neighborhood Tour,” made its final stop in Williamsport. Over the past four days, Pat Toomey, a former Wall Street derivatives trader, traveled the Commonwealth on a 23 county tour trying to re-write his 25 year career of fighting for Wall Street at the expense of middle-class Pennsylvanians. At each stop, a large ‘Wall St.’ road sign followed the former derivatives trader as part of the “Wall Street: Mr. Toomey’s Neighborhood Tour” to remind Pennsylvania voters of Pat Toomey’s record of putting Wall Street special interests before Pennsylvania families.
Please see below for media coverage of the tour.
“Outside the building, a Democratic volunteer held a mock “Wall Street” sign. A few local Democrats held messages, including one that said “Profits over people.” Opponents have tried to link Toomey to the interests of Wall Street.” [Erie Times, 8/27/10]
On the roadside near the rally, Sestak supporters waved campaign signs and a Democratic operative who has followed Toomey’s tour through the state held a mock “Wall Street” street sign. [Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/26/10]
While those in attendance poured out of the fire hall after the three men were finished, lone protester Mark Nicastre stood outside on the lawn with a sign reading, “WALL STREET.” Nicastre is a member of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “As Pat Toomey travels around Pennsylvania to visit with Pennsylvanians in their neighborhoods, we’re trying to remind Pennsylvanians that he’s really going to represent Wall Street’s neighborhood and not theirs,” said Nicastre. “He was a Wall Street derivatives trader. When he entered Congress, he fought for Wall Street, fought for the financial industry. His actions directly led to the deregulation of the derivatives industry and of Wall Street that eventually helped contribute to the financial collapse.” Nicastre stated that members of the PA Democratic Party have been following Toomey to every stop of his bus tour. “This is our third day,” he said. “We’ve been following him around from stop to stop. We’ve had anywhere from a handful of people to around 17 or 20 depending on the stop. It’s been going well, and people have been receptive. People want to know what their next Senator is going to do for them.” [Kittanning Paper, 8/26/10]
A few Sestak supporters stayed outside, displaying “Wall Street” signs. Democrats are trying to portray Toomey as being more attune with Wall Street than small towns. [The Kittanning Leader-Times, 8/26/10]
While he spoke, roughly a dozen Democratic activists watched from a corner of Perry Highway, holding signs critical of GOP policies, including a large “Wall Street” road sign mocking Mr. Toomey’s background as an investment banker before he started a restaurant business in Eastern Pennsylvania. [Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 8/25/10]
“Representatives of his organization held a ‘Wall St’ sign in reference to Toomey’s three terms in the House and his work in international finance.” Mark Nicastre, communications director from the Pennsylvania Democratic party, has been following Toomey on his tour. Representatives of his organization held a “Wall St” sign in reference to Toomey’s three terms in the House and his work in international finance. “It’s important for Pennsylvania voters to know he spent his whole adult life with Wall Street,” Nicastre said. [Herald Mail, 8/25/10]
“Democrats held up Joe Sestak signs and an oversized green “Wall Street” sign, compliments of the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania.” Democrats held up Joe Sestak signs and an oversized green “Wall Street” sign, compliments of the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania. Jeff Rousset of Penn Action came from Philadelphia to follow the Toomey campaign. “I’m trying to figure out Mr. Toomey’s plan for privatizing Social Security,” he said.’…. The Democratic party was quick to respond to Toomey’s visit with e-mails to the media countering his message. They pledged to follow Toomey on his four-day, 23-county tour. [Chambersburg Public Opinion, 8/25/10]
“Nicastre said his sign was meant to tell voters that Toomey would represent Wall Street and not Pennsylvania families if elected to the Senate.” Representatives with the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania are trailing Toomey during his tour. Party Communications Director Mark Nicastre, 26, stood outside the gathering Tuesday holding a sign that read “Wall Street” as another representative, Greg Kauffman, tried to film Toomey’s entrance. Nicastre said his sign was meant to tell voters that Toomey would represent Wall Street and not Pennsylvania families if elected to the Senate. He pointed to Toomey’s background in the financial industry and said Toomey supported deregulation legislation that led to the economic crisis. Toomey supporters, meanwhile, held up campaign signs to prevent Kauffman’s filming. [The York Dispatch, 8/25/10]
“Democrats who are following Toomey’s tour across the state in protest to Toomey’s candidacy and his proposed policies.” Mark Nicastre, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, was one of a group of Democrats who are following Toomey’s tour across the state in protest to Toomey’s candidacy and his proposed policies. “I think it’s been beneficial so far, and we’re starting to make an impression,” Nicastre said. [Altoona Mirror, 8/25/10]
“Protesters met his RV in Harrisburg with a huge green “Wall Street” road sign.” As he walked around downtown Tamaqua, northwest of Allentown, in Schuylkill County, with a group of supporters, several protesters trailed behind, asking whether Toomey still supported privatization of Social Security. State Democrats said they would shadow Toomey’s stops around the state, arguing that his career has been devoted to the interests of Wall Street – first as a derivatives trader and later as a member of the U.S. House and president of the laissez-faire Club for Growth advocacy group. Protesters met his RV in Harrisburg with a huge green “Wall Street” road sign. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/24/10]
“Both stops were greeted by Democratic Party-organized protesters who are shadowing Toomey. They scolded the former interest- and currency-rate swaps trader for his Wall Street ties. ‘Main Street, not Wall Street,'” Both stops were greeted by Democratic Party-organized protesters who are shadowing Toomey. They scolded the former interest- and currency-rate swaps trader for his Wall Street ties. “Main Street, not Wall Street,” the Democrats chanted outside the Old Forge restaurant…In Old Forge, Rosanne Kolberg, a Democratic organizer, was among eight protesters, and taunted Toomey with a sign that said, “Thanks for being our friend,” followed by a red heart and the words, “Wall Street.””Anybody that wants to bet on everyone else losing their shirt, stick with Pat Toomey,” Kolberg said. [Citizens Voice, 8/24/10]
“As he travels Pennsylvania, we’re here to remind Pennsylvania families as he’s in their neighborhood that he’s really part of Wall Street’s neighborhood.” Also out in full force at the event were his opponents. Protesters at the event were not part of the official campaign of Rep. Joe Sestak, Toomey’s Democratic opponent. However, they were clear supporters of Sestak and said they will be showing up along the way on Toomey’s tour…Also making their voices heard in the capitol city on Monday were Toomey protesters who told CBS 21 News they plan on following his bus tour throughout the state throughout the next four days. Mark Nicastre, of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said, “As he travels Pennsylvania, we’re here to remind Pennsylvania families as he’s in their neighborhood that he’s really part of Wall Street’s neighborhood.” Sestak supporter Michael Grabauskas said, “I just feel that Mr. Toomey has not been supportive of the middle class at all. He seems to be more interested in his Wall Street ties, because that’s where he comes from.” [WHP TV, 8/24/10]
“Outside the restaurant six protesters held signs pointing to what they said was Toomey’s favoritism for Wall Street.” Outside the restaurant six protesters held signs pointing to what they said was Toomey’sfavoritism for Wall Street. When they tried to get inside the room where Toomey spoke, his campaign workers made them leave. Afterward, Toomey said he wanted to keep the meeting with his supporters private to avoid disruptions. The people who disagree with his views will have other opportunities to participate as the campaign goes forward, he said. [The Reading Eagle, 8/24/10]