PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Inquirer is endorsing Democratic Sen. Bob Casey for a second term, calling him a man of "quiet persistence" and a strong advocate for Pennsylvania who can help restore civility in Washington, D.C.

The newspaper's Tuesday editorial said Casey has worked with Republicans on economic issues and fought reactionary efforts to cut U.S. aid to Middle Eastern nations where anti-American riots occurred.

It also says a study from the Joint Economic Committee that Casey heads helped push Conoco Phillips to find a buyer that would keep a Philadelphia-area oil refinery open.

His Republican opponent is Tom Smith, a political newcomer who made a small fortune in the western Pennsylvania coal industry. It says Smith's campaign hasn't evolved past spouting "predictable tea-party-inspired talking points."

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