TGIF. It’s the start of the World Series. The Eagles and the Steelers meet. Great time for PA sports fans.

PA Weather
Meadville | Partly Sunny, 58
Sunbury | Partly Sunny, 58
West Chester | Partly Sunny, 57

PA Sports
Phillies | FRI-SAT: World Series vs. Houston
Eagles (6-0) | SUN vs. Pittsburgh
Steelers (2-5) | SUN vs. Philadelphia
Penn State (6-1) | SAT vs. Ohio State
Pitt (4-3) | SAT vs. North Carolina
Temple (2-5) | SAT vs. Navy
76ers (1-4) | FRI vs. Toronto | SAT vs. Chicago
Flyers (5-2) | Florida, W 4-3 | SAT vs. Carolina
Penguins (4-2-1) | FRI vs. Vancouver | SAT vs. Seattle

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Top Story

1. Fetterman Defends Debate Performance – ‘We Showed Up.’

Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate John Fetterman took to the airwaves on Thursday night to defend his performance in his Tuesday debate with GOP nominee Mehmet Oz.

“We thought it was important to be there, and we showed up. And getting knocked down, I always got back up,” Fetterman said on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut.” (POLITICO)

Related

For Fetterman, A Post-Debate Show Of Strength – And Solidarity. “On Wednesday night, as John Fetterman took the stage with singer-songwriter and musician Dave Matthews, the Democratic Senate nominee had a question” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Republicans’ Secret Swing-State Weapon? Dozens Of Rich Nominees. “Over half of the Republican nominees in competitive House races have dipped into personal fortunes to fund their campaigns.” (The American Prospect)

Dean, Cappelletti, Cognetti Blast Oz For Local Politicians Comment In Abortion Debate. “A trio of Pennsylvania female politicians from the U.S. House, the Pennsylvania Senate and the City of Scranton held a virtual press conference on Thursday to blast Mehmet Oz for his “local politicians” comment in Tuesday’s debate.” (PoliticsPA)

• Democrats Seize On Oz’s ‘Women, Doctors, Political Leaders’ Abortion Response. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Philly Suburbs Will Be Key For Oz and Fetterman. What Do Voters Think About The Candidates? “The four counties surrounding the City of Brotherly Love are being seen as the great decider of the next big ticket race: Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat.” (WHYY)

Biden, Harris To Make Rare Campaign Appearance As Duo To Help Fetterman. “Biden and Harris will head to Philadelphia to campaign together on Friday, a rare occurrence for the duo who typically don’t travel alongside one another.” (The Hill)

• Fetterman, Shapiro To Attend PA Democratic Party Fundraiser Where Biden, Harris Will Speak. (ABC News)
• Obama Boosts PA Dems In New Ad Emphasizing Abortion. (Fox News)
• Democrats Will Swing at Oz With An Abortion Ad During World Series. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elections

2. What Can Poll Watchers Legally Do?

“The term “poll watcher” may be one of the most misunderstood phrases in the election lexicon. And the phrase’s misuse could lead to problems throughout the Commonwealth on November 8.” (PoliticsPA)

• ‘Raise the Challenge:’ Eastman Exhorts Poll Watchers To Build A Record. (POLITICO)

Related

What To Do If You Mess Up Your PA Mail Ballot. “Depending on the mistake, your county might let you fix the error. And there are other options, too. Here’s what you should know.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

There’s A Better Way To Read Political Polls, New Data Analytics Site Says. “An analysis of recent polling in swing states found that Republicans may be on the cusp of major electoral gains if you consider the pollsters’ historic performance—or, more often, lack thereof.” (Washington Free Beacon)

The Keystone Party Is PA’s New Political Body. Here’s What Members Are Pushing For. “Pennsylvanians who started voting by mail may have already seen an unfamiliar political organization on their ballots: the Keystone Party of Pennsylvania.” (Somerset Daily American)

U.S. House

3. PA-17: Deluzio, Shaffer To Debate Today

“A debate between 17th Congressional District candidates Democrat Chris Deluzio and Republican Jeremy Shaffer will be televised at 7 p.m. Friday on Pittsburgh’s CW.

KDKA is hosting the debate, which will then be streamed on CBS News Pittsburgh at 9 p.m. Saturday and then at 8 p.m. on Sunday.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

PA-05: Scanlon Talks About Journey From Penn Carey Law to Politics. “Scanlon, a 1984 University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School graduate, is up for re-election for her seat in the United States House of Representatives.” (Daily Pennsylvanian)

PA-11: Smucker and Hollister Spend On TV Ads In Final Days Before Nov. 8 “The two candidates vying to represent Lancaster County in the U.S. House of Representatives have added their voices to the flurry of political ads on local TV sets in the final weeks of the midterm election.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

PA-16: Pastore, Kelly Face Off  On Policy, Politics. “From the outset of an hourlong debate Tuesday, incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Kelly tried to frame the race for Pennsylvania’s 16th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives not as a choice of party, but of policy.” (Erie Times-News)

Ad Watch

• The DCCC is running an ad backing Rep. Matt Cartwright that accuses his GOP opponent of “gutting Social Security and Medicare.” Cartwright represents a district former President Donald Trump won in 2020 (Punchbowl News)
• And in Pennsylvania’s toss-up 17th District, Democratic candidate Chris Deluzio is labeling his Republican opponent a champion for “corporate jagoffs.” (Punchbowl News)

Around The Commonwealth

SD 14/16: Candidates Take Stances In Pair of Debates. “Opponents in the 14th and 16th state senate districts took stances — and verbal jabs — in their quests to represent the Lehigh Valley in Harrisburg.” (LehighValleyLive)

• Browning, Miller Spar Over Inflation, Education and More In Final Debate. (LehighValleyNews)
• Secure The Voting Process? Get Rid of Lawmaker Pensions? Jarrett Coleman and Mark Pinsley Lay Out Positions. (Morning Call)
• A Look At The Candidates Looking To Replace Ousted PA Senator Pat Browne. (Armchair Lehigh Valley)
• Coleman and Tinsley Get Testy In Debate. (LehighValleyNews)

SD 22: Flynn, Bassett Spar at Debate At U. of Scranton. “Incumbent Democratic Sen. Marty Flynn and Republican Tom Bassett squared off for an hour inside the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scranton’s Loyola Science Center.” (Times-Tribune)

• HD 72: Deal: Burns Can Keep Scam Claim Ad On TV, But Not Facebook, As Billow’s Lawsuit Continues. (Tribune-Democrat)
• HD 120: Leard-Kaufer Forum To Air Sunday. (Times Leader)
• HD 120: Debate Recap. (Citizens Voice)

Within Hours, PA Republicans Make Larry Krasner Impeachment Drive A Midterm Issue. ““It has nothing to do with the elections,” the House majority leader said of the impeachment effort on Wednesday. And then, within hours, statewide Republicans tied it to the election.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Wolf Blasts Lawmakers For Leaving Early With Unfinished Business. “Minutes after the state House adjourned Wednesday night, ending the final scheduled voting day before the November election, Gov. Tom Wolf sent out a statement blasting lawmakers for all the unfinished business they left behind.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A PA County Is Charging People To Search Court Documents – An Unusual and Undue Burden, Experts Say. “A Western Pennsylvania county is imposing a $10.50 “search fee” on public requests for court documents, a levy that open records advocates say adds an unusual and undue financial barrier to constitutionally required access.” (Spotlight PA)

Bill To Simplify Medical Insurance In PA Heads To Wolf’s Desk. “Pennsylvania state lawmakers have passed a bill that supporters say will make it easier for doctors to treat patients by streamlining how they work with health insurers. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law.” (WESA)

Opinion

• Despicable Lowlights Foreshadow Election Day. (Gene Collier)
• Democratic and Republican Voters Both Love Civility, But Can’t Agree What It Is. (Robert B. Talisse)
• Can We Put Away The Political Divide and Root For The Phillies? (Christine Flowers)
• Facts, Opinions, and Political Ads (Lori Falce)
• Contrary to Rumors, Democrats Are Better At The Economy. (Froma Harrop)
• After The Red Wave, What’s Next For Republicans – Both Those Who Win and Those Who Lose? (Dwight Weidman)
• PA Politicians Often Calibrate Their Views On Fracking Based On Voters’ Opinions. (Reid Fraier)