In a move that could help Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama gain inroads with white, working class voters and business people, he gained an important endorsement from Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, who has strong ties with the labor class in that state.

So far, Obama has been trailing Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, which is heavy in white, middle class citizens and Catholics, both of whom have shown her preference in recent polls. She has gained the support of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, which has helped bolster her success in the state.

Casey’s endorsement coincides with a six day push in Pennsylvania by Obama as he tries to gather support for the upcoming April 22 primaries, where 158 delegates are at stake. This is the biggest prize left in any upcoming primary, and a key decision in the nomination process. Senator Casey, who shares Obama’s support of gun rights and opposition to abortion, has been described as a quiet and gracious man whose support is greatly appreciated, but was not fought hard to attain. Obama said he did not press hard for the Casey endorsement, but is very grateful to have it. Casey said in a speech that he believed Obama has the necessary skills to lead America in a dangerous world, to take the nation in a new direction that will lead us back to prosperity, and to heal America’s wounds.

When asked about the Casey endorsement, the Clinton campaign expressed their gratitude for the abundance of support they have received so far from the state of Pennsylvania. Representative John Murtha and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter are among Clinton’s supporters in the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, urged Clinton to abandon her bid for the White House. In a radio interview that was broadcast earlier in the week, Leahy said he felt there was no chance of Clinton winning enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. He further stated that Casey’s endorsement only underscored the support Obama has garnered so far. Leahy upheld Clinton’s right to remain in the race, but said he felt she did not have a good reason to continue, and that the Democratic Party needed to come together in order to have a chance at defeating McCain come the November elections. Pennsylvania is seen as a crucial state for the candidates, with elderly voters and white working class and business people opting for Clinton, while the younger voters seem to prefer Obama.

In an effort to boost support, Obama has stepped up his television campaign, and will be touring the state of Pennsylvania with Casey, who currently shows a 62 percent approval rating among Pennsylvania Democrats. Securing the Pennsylvania nomination could prove to be a crucial turning point in the nomination process, with the decision still up for grabs as the Democratic National Convention in Denver approaches. Democrats are hoping to have a clear-cut candidate in the near future so they can begin strategizing on the November elections.

Pennsylvania’s economy is a major attraction to any businessman who wants to invest in Pennsylvania real estate. This is because the state is the 6th richest in the United States with a total gross product of $430.31 billion in 2005. This gross product would have made the 17th largest in the whole world, had Pennsylvania been a country that is independent on its own right. The state would have been richer than Belgium. On the per capita ranking, the state only ranks 26th among all the states in the U.S. The reason for Pennsylvania’s surging economy must be that it houses 49 of the Fortune 500 companies.

A burgeoning economy also translates to a booming Pennsylvania real estate market. There were a large number of farms in the state’s southeastern area that were sold and were developed for housing due to the increase in land prices as well as taxes. This hike is mirrored by quite a substantial demand for Pennsylvania real estate in the fifth largest US metropolitan area. While it were Montgomery and Bucks counties that first started suburbanization, Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Lancaster followed suit in jumping into the bandwagon. This suburbanization trend in the state made the Pennsylvania real estate market what it is today, a viable market that ensures greater capital gains.

Pennsylvania is one of the U.S.’s five mid-Atlantic States that was known as the Quaker State during the colonial times and later as the Keystone State. This nickname was derived by the state because of its industries and agriculture that it has in common with both the north and south respectively. The state has a coastline that covers up to 51 miles as well as a shoreline of 57 miles. Its largest city is Philadelphia, which houses a major seaport and quite a number of shipyards on its river, named the Delaware. Pennsylvania is the US’ 33rd largest state. The state’s municipalities are integrated as boroughs, cities and townships.