😯 What. A. Weekend. How did PA respond to Biden’s announcement? We’ve got it here in the Playbook.

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👂 What We’re Hearing. “I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – we’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.” – Gov. Josh Shapiro

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Brett Miller and former Rep. Curt Weldon.

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Top Story

1. Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race

“President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations.

The president — intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office — quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her, making her the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.” (AP)

Related

15 Experts Predict What Biden’s Dropout Means for the 2024 Election. “A week ago, former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated. Today, President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid. To put it mildly, it’s hard to know what might actually happen in this chaotic, historic presidential election year.” (POLITICO)

• Biden Steps Aside, Endorses Harris For President. (PoliticsPA)
• Shapiro Calls Biden “One of the Most Consequential Presidents in Modern History.” (PoliticsPA)
• PA Congressional Delegation, Hopefuls Respond to Biden Announcement. (PoliticsPA)
• 55 Things You Need to Know About Kamala Harris. (POLITICO)
• PA Speaker Joanna McClinton Explains How Kamala Harris Inspired Her Path to Leadership. (The Keystone)

State

2. If Biden Steps Aside, Could Shapiro Be Under Consideration for VP?

“While many pundits expect that Vice President Kamala Harris would assume the top spot on the ticket, that is not a done deal. And whoever becomes the Democrats’ nominee, their first responsibility would be to choose a running mate.

Could that be Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro?” (PoliticsPA – Friday)

• Could Josh Shapiro Become The Democrats’ Pick For Vice President? (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Biden’s Withdrawal Puts Pennsylvania At The Center of a Rebuilding Democratic Ticket. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Shapiro Is Betting Favorite to Be Harris’ VP Pick If She’s the Democratic Presidential Nominee. (PennLive)
• Shapiro as VP Could Boost a Harris Ticket in PA. (Erie Times-News)
• From Abington to Washington? Gov. Shapiro’s Political Roots Planted in Montgomery County. (Bucks County Courier Times)
• Gov. Josh Shapiro Is a Top Contender For Vice President. What Would He Bring to the Ticket? (WITF)
• Shapiro Would Bring a Battleground State and Political Acumen to a National Ticket. (Penn Capital-Star)
• Who Could Be Harris’s Running Mate? (The Hill)

Related

What’s Biden’s Withdrawal Mean for PA and Gov. Shapiro? “The other shoe has dropped and President Joe Biden has left the presidential race. It’s a decision that could have major implications for Pennsylvania as the Democratic Party recasts its national ticket. Here’s why.” (PennLive)

Pennsylvania Democrats Tout Biden’s Legacy, Harris Succession as Republicans Pounce on Disarray. “The sentiment was articulated succinctly by Duquesne University president and U.S. presidential historian Ken Gormley, who said, “In a very fundamental sense, this was a heroic act by President Biden. He clearly did not want to do it. He clearly felt he could win this election and was the best candidate.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party Chair Plans To Convene Vote to Endorse Kamala Harris. “The state party endorsement is a move that is entirely separate from the process in which Pennsylvania’s 159 Democratic delegates will vote to nominate a presidential candidate.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Optimism, Heartbreak in Lackawanna County After Biden Drops Out of Race

“From the sidewalk in front of President Joe Biden’s childhood home on North Washington Avenue, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti expressed optimism amid heartbreak hours after his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

“I’m heartbroken, but as Democrats we march on into these next 100 or so days with renewed energy,” Cognetti said. “There is a really big fight ahead, but I think there is a lot to be optimistic about.”” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Related

Pittsburgh-Area Democratic Voters Range From Relieved to Excited After Biden Drops Re-Election Bid. “The reaction of Pittsburgh-area voters to the news that President Joe Biden had dropped out of the presidential race was mixed, with some younger Democrats expressing excitement and some older ones much more skeptical.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Area Voters, Political Leaders Size Up Biden’s Exit, Harris’ Candidacy. “When the news broke Sunday that President Joe Biden would end his reelection campaign, lifelong Democrat Diane Waksmunski said the announcement was “shocking, and it actually hurt.”” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)

‘That Last Debate Ruined Him’: Western PA Residents React to Biden Bowing Out Of Race. “President Joe Biden halting his presidential campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris shocked some and came as no surprise to others in Western Pennsylvania who spoke with TribLive on Sunday.” (Tribune-Review)

Biden Reaction: What They’re Saying in the Lehigh Valley Political World. “Local Democrats took Sunday’s news of President Joe Biden ending his bid for reelection as a moment to thank him.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Local Dems Support Decision. “Local Democratic leaders were heartened Sunday by President Joe Biden’s announcement that he was dropping his campaign for a second term, praising him for putting party and nation over ego, and citing his accomplishments during a long career as senator, vice president and president.” (Altoona Mirror)

Lancaster County Democrats and Republicans React to Biden Dropping Out of Race. “Excitement. Energy. Gratefulness. Uncertainty. Those were commonly expressed words by Lancaster County Democrats on Sunday after hearing President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not run for reelection this year, a decision that came after weeks of growing concern among national Democrats after Biden’s poor performance in last month’s debate against former President Donald Trump.” (LNP)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• With Honor and Decency, Joe Biden Exits The Race. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Biden Can Go Down as an American Hero — But Only If Harris Can Beat Trump. (Will Bunch)
• We Either Want a Dictator or a Democracy. With Biden Out, We Have One Chance To Get This Right. (Helen Ubiñas)
• The Republican Party Has Given Up On People Like Me. (Jeff Coleman)
• America Needs Josh Shapiro Now. (Scott Overland)
• Lurking Behind The Republican National Convention Is The Manifesto Known as “Project 2025.” (Mark Singel)
• As a Fellow Ohioan, I Have Some Concerns About U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. (David Dewitt)
• What Does Biden’s Withdrawal Mean For Pennsylvania Voters? (Tribune-Review)

1 Thing

5. Night Owls’ Cognitive Function ‘Superior’ to Early Risers, Study Suggests

“The idea that night owls who don’t go to bed until the early hours struggle to get anything done during the day may have to be revised.

It turns out that staying up late could be good for our brain power as research suggests that people who identify as night owls could be sharper than those who go to bed early.” (The Guardian)

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