🏖️ Hello August. Happy National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

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🎙️ Voices of Reason, S1 Ep8: The Rise of Kamala Harris; Election Predictions. “How do the events of this historically chaotic month in political history affect the 2024 election outcome? We asked the experts – you’ll be surprised what they have to say.” (PoliticsPA)

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Reps. Amen Brown, Dan Deasy and Eric Davanzo.

🗞️ Pennsylvania Headlines >> Your Inbox. 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. ‘Challenge Accepted’: Biden or Harris, Trump Says He’s Ready to Fight For PA

“Former President Donald J. Trump showed at Wednesday’s rally in Harrisburg he sees little trouble in pivoting from a race against President Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris, because he sees her as a true believer in the same liberal movement that he thinks is bad for America.

But he also seemed to acknowledge that he’s got a new fight on his hands after the Democratic Party’s candidate switch, as he spent a huge chunk of his 90-minute riff on the state of America testing out still-evolving attack lines against Harris that will become a staple of the reset race.” (PennLive)

Related

Immigration, Inflation And Fracking Draw The Biggest Roars During Trump Speech. “A few subjects appeared to resonate particularly deeply with his supporters at Wednesday’s Harrisburg rally, drawing jolts of thunderous cheers and applause from the more than 8,000 attendees at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.” (PennLive)

• ​​Trump Takes a Jab at Local DAs, Including Philly’s Larry Krasner, in Harrisburg Rally. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• McCormick Says Trump Showed ‘Defiance, Leadership, Strength’ After Assassination Attempt. (PennLive)
• Donald Trump Incorrectly Says Senate Candidate Dave McCormick Will Be Pennsylvania’s “Next Governor” (abc27)
• PA Union Leaders Say Return to Trump Presidency Would Mean ‘Less Freedoms, Less Opportunity and Fewer Jobs’. (PennLive)

Trump Questions Kamala Harris’ Race, Attacks ABC News’ Rachel Scott During NABJ Interview. “Former President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday at the annual National Association of Black Journalists Convention, where he attacked the first journalist who asked a question and denigrated Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity. In a stunning exchange during a panel with three journalists, Trump questioned Harris’ Blackness because of her South Asian heritage.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

State

2. The Shapiro Watch

“All eyes are on the Keystone State, as Pennsylvania is THE swing state in the 2024 presidential election.

Now, the Commonwealth is also in focus as Washington’s favorite parlor game includes the state’s chief executive.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is one of the leading candidates under consideration to be selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. And with that spotlight comes additional scrutiny into Shapiro’s background.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

People Close to Josh Shapiro Saw at an Early Age That ‘His Career Would Catch Fire’. “As Shapiro is on the shortlist to become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, friends, classmates, and colleagues said he has long shown flashes of leadership capabilities and political skill.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Next Stop Could Be White House For ‘Dynamic’ Shapiro. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told graduates at his college alma mater last year he might not have ventured into politics if he hadn’t failed a science test and been cut from the basketball team during his freshman year.” (Tribune-Review)

Harris VP Search Team Meets Shapiro While Labor Groups Oppose Kelly. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met with Kamala Harris’ representatives while some labor groups expressed opposition to Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, as the Democratic candidate’s search for a running mate nears its end.” (Bloomberg)

Pro-Palestinian Groups Seek to Block a Vice-Presidential Contender. “Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, an observant Jew, is seen as bringing plenty of upsides to the Democratic ticket. But some worry about setting off opposition to the Democratic ticket from pro-Palestinian demonstrators.” (NY Times)

Progressives Sound Alarm as Shapiro VP Stock Rises. “They are sounding the alarm on his past position on school vouchers and say that his stance on the Israel-Hamas war could highlight a divide in the Democratic Party that could impact the November election if Vice President Harris chooses him as her running mate.” (The Hill)

Around The Commonwealth

3. In Battleground Pennsylvania’s ‘Latino Belt,’ Undecided Voters Are Paying Attention

“In the predominantly Latino city of Reading, residents say the latest events and changes to the national political scene are, as one person described it, “exciting” and “unexpected.”

Both parties are paying attention to this battleground state’s growing number of Latino voters.” (NBC News)

Related

Neary Nominated to U.S. District Court For Middle District of PA. “Keli M. Neary, Executive Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Law division of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to the federal district court.” (PoliticsPA)

Ad Watch: DCCC Goes After Perry and Involvement on Intel Committee. “The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sent a message that it will be holding Rep. Scott Perry’s (R-10) feet to the fire with the release of a new digital video.” (PoliticsPA)

Walsh Files Brief in Ballots Appeal Case; Gets Support From State and National Democratic Parties. “This might be the last time Jamie Walsh files legal paperwork during a series of appeals from both Walsh and incumbent state Rep. Mike Cabell that has dragged on for three months since the primary.” (Citizens Voice)

PA Politicians Call For Cooling Rhetoric After Shooting. But Few Make Promises. “With recent election cycles being dominated by increasingly extreme rhetoric, at least a few high-profile candidates in Pennsylvania are preaching civility on the heels of the July 13 shooting at the Trump rally in Butler County.” (Erie Times-News)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Democrats Have Shown More Courage in Replacing Biden than Republicans Are Showing in Keeping Trump. (John Sigle)
• Josh Shapiro — A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. (Beth Ann Rosica)
• Now Who’s in Disarray? (Mary C. Curtis)
• Josh Shapiro Could Be a Victim of October 7. (Lowman Henry)
• JD Vance versus the Cat Ladies. (Thom Nickels)
• Women Are America’s Working Class Now. (Kathryn Anne Edwards)

1 Thing

5. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is a national day of action established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in 2020 to inspire civic engagement and encourage people to sign up to become a poll worker. On August 1, 2024, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to address the continued need for poll workers to sign up ahead of the general election in November to Help America Vote and strengthen our democracy.

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