August 26: Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

Donald Trump speaks in York

🏖️ Monday, Monday. Welcome to the last unofficial week of summer.

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☀️ Emmaus | Mostly Sunny, 85

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👂 What We’re Hearing. “It’s really one of the most important states in the nation,” said U.S. Sen Cory Booker (D-N.J.). “Where Pennsylvania goes, so will our country.”

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Ryan Warner

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Top Story

1. How the Trump Campaign Plans to Go All-In On Pennsylvania

Trump, Vance campaign in Pennsylvania as DNC kicks off in Chicago

“Former President Donald Trump and JD Vance are in the middle of an all-out blitz in Pennsylvania, putting more emphasis on campaigning in the commonwealth than perhaps any other state.

While Trump is looking to eat into Kamala Harris’ numbers all over the state, his campaign’s visits have predominantly centered on the rural and working-class stretches of Pennsylvania he won in 2016 and 2020. Just this week, Trump visited York, in the central part of the state, and Wilkes-Barre, in the northeast. And GOP sources told NOTUS to expect much more campaigning in those sorts of areas, from both Trump and particularly Vance.” (NOTUS)

Elsewhere

Growing Support For Donald Trump In Majority-Latino Cities Like Reading Could Help Him Win PA. “There were signs in 2020 that Donald Trump had made inroads with Latino voters in Pennsylvania. How they vote this November will be a key factor in determining the outcome.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Latino Vote Could Decide the Election. Kamala Harris Knows It. “With roughly 100 days to go until the election, the vice president had inherited a campaign that was in danger of falling off a cliff with Latino voters, not just in the Southwestern swing states, but in battlegrounds like Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which are home to fast-growing Latino populations.” (POLITICO)

Trump to Make Johnstown Campaign Stop Friday. “The Trump campaign is planning a rally at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown. The doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Friday, and the Republican presidential nominee is scheduled to speak at 4:30 p.m.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)

Kennedy Announces That He Is ‘Suspending’ His Campaign In Certain Battleground States. “Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Friday afternoon that he is not dropping out of the presidential race, rather he is suspending his campaign in certain battleground states.” (PoliticsPA)

Cornel West Can’t Be On Pennsylvania’s Presidential Ballot, Court Decides. “The Secretary of State’s office said West’s campaign lacked the required affidavits for 14 of West’s 19 presidential electors.” (AP)

 

State

2. Pennsylvania Will Be Well Traveled In Race For the White House

2024 Election: Latest Pennsylvania polls for Trump, Harris | FOX 29 Philadelphia

“Get ready for nonstop advertising on TV and on the internet, a steady supply of candidates and their surrogates, mailboxes full of campaign literature, and no shortage of visitors ringing your doorbells.

The most populous battleground state won’t lack for attention in the 71 days remaining until Election Day.

“It’s a dangerous game to try to win without Pennsylvania,” said Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, of neighboring New Jersey.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Why Won’t Pennsylvania Voters Have Results on Election Night? “Pennsylvania is one of seven states, including fellow battleground Wisconsin, that bans mail-in ballot pre-canvassing” (Fox News)

In Pennsylvania’s Competitive U.S. Senate Race, Fracking Takes Center Stage. “Vice President Kamala Harris has been the official Democratic nominee for president for less than a month, but her presence is already changing the dynamic in critical races down the ballot. On July 26, Pennsylvania’s Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Dave McCormick, visited a fracking rig in Warren County. One reason for his trip? To link Harris with his opponent in the race, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey.” (Inside Climate News)

The Woman Rear-Ended By Sen. John Fetterman Has Hired a Lawyer and Says She Has ‘Real Injuries. “The 62-year-old Virginia woman has also reportedly retained an attorney to help her pursue a personal injury claim.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

A Q&A with Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman. “As Pennsylvania political leaders consider whether to tax and regulate skill-based gaming machines that currently fall outside of the state’s gaming laws, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman will be key to shepherding such a bill through the legislative process.” (City & State)

PA State Universities’ Leader Calls Leaving the Hardest Decision He’s Ever Made. “Stepping away from the unfolding higher education experiment he spearheaded over the past six years at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education isn’t easy for its chancellor, Dan Greenstein.” (PennLive)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. ‘Demstock’ Brings Together Rural PA Democrats Who Want to ‘Jam Things Up’ For Trump

“Hundreds of Pennsylvania’s rural Democratic voters spent the weekend at “Demstock.” Think Woodstock in 1969, with some attendees camping out at the venue, but instead of performances from the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, it was all about politics. Attendees bonded over feeling isolated in their largely Republican communities and their hope to “drive up the margins” in the match-up between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in the critical battleground state.” (NBC News)

Elsewhere

Lehigh Valley Delegates, Politicos React to DNC As Region Remains Crucial Swing District. “Lehigh Valley area delegates are returning from the Democratic National Convention energized and optimistic about the party’s chances in Pennsylvania. But can Democrats sustain their current momentum — and can Republicans counter their messaging in the crucial swing state?” (Allentown Morning Call)

Business Group Faults Trump For Joining Democrats to Oppose Nippon Purchase of US Steel. “Former President Donald Trump last week renewed a pledge to block a merger between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel if reelected. The comment, which Trump made during an economy-themed appearance in York, drew the ire of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association.” (WESA)

How One NPR Station Is Trying to Win Conservative Listeners – By Listening. “Amid a national crisis of trust in journalism, Scott Blanchard and his colleagues at WITF have realized that they have significant work to do in engaging with the largely conservative swath of Pennsylvania where they broadcast.” (Christian Science Monitor)

Gus Walz’s Joy Launches Central PA Lawmaker Into Social Media Storm: Here’s Why. “Pennsylvania State Rep. Russ Diamond, a Republican, is standing by a controversial social media post this week about Gus Walz, the son of Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying people have mostly missed his point.” (PennLive)

 

Ballots Delayed Pending Litigation Outcomes. “Lawrence County’s director of elections is asking for the voters’ patience in receiving their mail-in ballots for the Nov. 5 presidential election.” (New Castle News)

 

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

  • Down the Ticket, Pennsylvania Ballots Will Offer Historic Legislative Choices For Female Candidates. (Caroline Welles)
  • In Chicago, Dems Redefined What It Means To Be American, Then Claimed It. (Will Bunch)
  • Missing Piece: Something Is Missing In the P-Card Scandal, and the Gainey Admin Is Hiding It. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  • A More Liberal Immigration Policy Could Help Save the American Military. (Connor Joyce)
  • The Gospel According to Kamala. (Thom Nickels)
  • Title IX Rules Reminiscent of Wolf’s Masking Mandate. (Beth Ann Rosica)
  • A Trump Change of Tactics Would Elevate Him Again. (Chris Freind)

 

 

1 Thing

5. Dinner in the Sky

Dinner in the Sky – Dinner in the Sky POLAND

“Here’s the view of a restaurant in Poland that’s raising the bar on outdoor dining by raising you and 21 of your hungriest adventure-seeking friends 50 meters (164 feet) into the air via crane. Wait staff make the one-hour vertical journey as well, so if you’re tipping 20% on the ground, maybe bump that number up a bit after you finish your meal in the lower atmosphere.

To answer your first and most obvious question—yes, “Dinner in the Sky” recommends using the bathroom before going up in the air, because the table will only be lowered for emergencies and won’t be raised again. As for your safety concerns, guests are strapped into a chair with belts, which gives loosening your belt after a meal a whole new meaning.” (Morning Brew)

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One Response

  1. Trump is more dangerous and looney as ever. Only a moron could support him or his crazy “policies”.





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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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