10/25: The Penultimate Weekend

Donald Trump, Kamala Harris

☀️ TGIF. Have a great weekend. Thanks for your support of the PoliticsPA Playbook

PA Weather
🌥️ Plum | Increasing Clouds, 66
☀️ Wertzville | Sunny, 65
☀️ Berwyn | Sunny, 64

PA Sports
🏈 Pitt (7-0) | Syracuse 41-13 | Nov. 2 vs. SMU
🏈 Penn State (6-0) | Sat vs. Wisconsin
🏈 Temple (2-5) | Sat vs. East Carolina
🏈 Eagles (5-2) | Sun vs. Cincinnati
🏈 Steelers (5-2) | Mon vs. NY Giants
🏀 Sixers (0-1) | Fri vs. Toronto | Sun vs. Indiana
🏒 Flyers (1-5-1) | Sat vs. Minnesota | Sun vs. Montreal
🏒 Penguins (3-5) | Fri vs. Edmonton | Sat vs. Vancouver

🔉 Podcast: Listen to “The United States of Pennsylvania.” on The Daily. (New York Times)

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Sen. Wayne Langerholc and early returns for Sen. Vincent Hughes (Sat.).

🗞️ Political News From THE Swing State. Where can you find all the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 AM. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and subscribe now.

 

Top Story

1. Will Pennsylvania’s Economic Rebound Help Deliver the Crucial Swing State to Kamala Harris?

Election 2024: Liz Cheney campaigns with Kamala Harris at event in Chester County - 6abc Philadelphia

“The most recent comprehensive study of Pennsylvania’s surging economy was almost startling in its promise. The State of Working Pennsylvania report, released just before Labor Day, found that the state’s economic output was “significantly exceeding” pre-pandemic levels, unemployment rates were near 50-year lows, workers’ bargaining power was high, and working-class families were sharing in the prosperity in a more sustained way than at any point since 1980.

“Historically, if you told me these would be the numbers — employment, growth, stock market, inflation back down, all these things — I’d say, ‘Wow, slam dunk for the incumbent party,’ ” said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown. “And that’s the Democrats.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Obama, Springsteen Boost Harris at Georgia Rally As She Warns of ‘Brutally Serious’ Consequences If Trump Wins. “The use of Mr. Springsteen, an iconic performer whose career spans five decades, and former President Obama, still one of the biggest names in Democratic politics, highlights how Ms. Harris’ campaign is in an all-out sprint ahead of Election Day.” (AP)

These Young Voters Have Been Sold on Donald Trump Since Childhood. Here’s How He Held Their Attention. “Donald Trump will campaign in State College on Saturday, a sign of the importance that young voters could play in determining who wins Pennsylvania.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

How Jill Stein Became the Alternative for Arab American Voters. “Many Arab American voters think Donald Trump would be worse for their community than Kamala Harris. They said denying Harris their vote in favor of Stein, even if it helps Trump, only bolsters their protest vote.” (NOTUS)

How Democrats’ Voter-Registration Advantage Eroded in Pennsylvania, and What It Means For 2024. “In March 2021, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans in Pennsylvania by 630,000. On the eve of the 2024 election, that edge has been cut to 300,000.” (NBC News)

 

State

2. Shapiro, Warnock, Duncan State Case For Kamala Harris in Lancaster

Gov. Josh Shapiro flanked by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga,) and former Ga. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan

“On a sun-splashed late October morning in ruby-red Lancaster County, it was Republicans who set the stage for Democratic star power to make the case for Vice President Kamala Harris.

An invite-only crowd of 350 made their way to a Manheim Township farm to hear from Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and former Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Delivered Pennsylvania For Himself. Can He Do the Same For Harris? “Since being passed over by Harris in her search for a running mate, Shapiro, who is widely rumored to harbor presidential ambitions of his own, has become one of her most prominent surrogates, barreling across the country from the Midwest to the Deep South to the small towns and cities of his own critical battleground state.” (POLITICO)

Would GOP Senate Candidate Dave McCormick Serve As a Check On Trump — Or Be a Rubber Stamp? “McCormick has arguably been subordinate to a mercurial and reputedly autocratic figure before — as a former top executive for the hedge fund Bridgewater. And judging from the best-known account of that firm, Wall Street Journal reporter Rob Copeland’s book “The Fund,” voters can’t assume he’d check even outlandish White House impulses.” (WESA Politics)

How PA’s Candidates For Attorney General Would Work With Philly DA Larry Krasner. “Whoever becomes attorney general will have to work with one of the states’ most provocative officials: Philadelphia‘s progressive district attorney, Larry Krasner.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

This Race Could Affect Pennsylvanians More Than the Presidential Election. Can Democrats Win? “In a Pennsylvania suburb whose voters are coveted by both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Nicole Ruscitto walked from house to house on a gloomy Tuesday afternoon, informing residents that there is another important race in November.” (The Guardian)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Shapiro Announces GSK Investment of $800M in Lancaster County

Gov. Josh Shapiro and GSK leadership announced the global biopharma company’s major investment of up to $800 million in Pennsylvania that will increase its research and development (R&D) and manufacturing footprint at its existing facility in Lancaster County.

The Commonwealth is supporting this expansion with a $21 million investment, which will create at least 200 new, high-paying jobs. This is the largest Commonwealth-supported economic development project in Lancaster County history.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Feds’ $87M Investment In New Manufacturing Plant In PA Could Create Nearly 900 Jobs. “The funding will come from President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Republicans opposed, and will help California-based Mainspring Energy build a 292,000 square foot, “state-of-the-art” linear generator manufacturing plant near Pittsburgh International Airport in Allegheny County.” (PennLive)

PA, Federal Law Enforcement Are Investigating a Fake Video Spreading Misinformation About Bucks County Election Workers. “Bucks County has contacted law enforcement to investigate a fake video that purports to show an election official tearing up ballots.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Signs of the Times in Pennsylvania. “My home place is Lewisburg, site of Bucknell University (and a federal prison, but we don’t talk about that). It was always a lovely college town and is now gentrified and deep blue; Biden got 70 percent last time around. But the county is thoroughly red, with the town-versus-country divide plain in which signs dominate roadsides and front yards.” (The Nation)

Erie County Voters Waiting For Ballots Should Get Them Soon. What Caused the Delay? “Two bins of roughly 750 mail ballots destined for Erie County voters were sent from a U.S. Postal Service processing plant in Pittsburgh to the wrong post office, delaying delivery and creating panic among those who still had not received them, according to Erie County Clerk Karen Chillcott.” (Erie Times-News)

 

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

  • Everything Is Awesome (Again!) (Michael Grunwald)
  • Are We Really Going to Let Hedge Fund Billionaires Buy a Senate Seat? (Will Bunch)
  • Kamala Harris is the Right Choice for Pennsylvania. I’m a Republican. I Know It. (Jim Greenwood)
  • Dave McCormick is a Job Killer: Don’t Vote For Him. (Mitch Kates)
  • Hard-Working Pennsylvanians Ensure Safe, Secure Elections. (Mark Schweiker)
  • Dear Bob Nutting, Please Bring Dad and Me a World Series — Or Sell to Someone Who Can. (Gabe Mazefsky)

 

 

1 Thing

5. German Police Say Pizza Order No. 40 Came With a Side of Cocaine

Zero Fun in Düsseldorf: Menu Item No. 40 at German pizzeria came with a special 'extra topping'...called COCAINE

“German police busted a pizzeria in the western city of Düsseldorf that also delivered a side order of cocaine when customers asked for item number 40 on the menu.

“That was one of the best-selling pizzas,” criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke told reporters in Düsseldorf.

He said police were first tipped off by suspicious food inspectors in March. When drug squad officers began observing the restaurant they soon discovered why pizza number 40 was so popular, Moltke told reporters on Monday, German news agency dpa reported.” (AP)

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