Grayson Says Biden Endorsed the Wrong Patrick Murphy

Says vice president was given info about former Pennsylvania representative instead of his primary opponent

Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., will face a continuing ethics probe (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., will face a continuing ethics probe (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Posted July 1, 2016 at 1:19pm

It’s no secret that the Democratic establishment is vehemently opposed to the Senate candidacy of Rep. Alan Grayson and is largely backing his opponent, Rep. Patrick Murphy.  

But Grayson told  the Tampa Bay Times’ editorial board on Thursday that someone gave Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. information about former Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy to win Biden’s endorsement.

“They sold him — Patrick — as being somebody different from who he was,” Biden told the board. “They managed to sell our Congressman Patrick Murphy from Florida by pretending he was the other one from Pennsylvania,” Grayson said.

Grayson said Biden told him he was impressed with Murphy’s record on repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which prevented members of the military from being openly gay.  

Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania, who is now Under Secretary of the Army, co-authored the legislation that repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” in 2010. Patrick Murphy from Florida wasn’t elected until 2012.  

Patrick Murphy from Florida’s campaign manager said Grayson’s remarks are meant to insult the intelligence of Democratic leadership.

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