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October 30th Playbook

President Donald Trump and former VP Joe Biden will be campaigning in PA this weekend, while an F&M poll shows Biden leading Trump in the state by 6 points. Here is the Playbook. 

Pennsylvania Congressional Vulnerability: Final 2020 Ratings: Two incumbent Republicans are considered to be “vulnerable,” while three incumbent Democrats are listed as “potentially vulnerable” in the final rankings before Election Day.

F&M Poll: Biden 50, Trump 44: Biden maintains a 6 point lead over Trump among likely voters and registered voters in the state.

Quinnipiac Poll: Biden 51, Trump 44: 51% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Biden, while 43% view him unfavorably. 43% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 52% have an unfavorable opinion of him.

PA1 Ad: Finello Boosts Biden Endorsement: Her latest 30 second ad titled, “Grit” features clips from a speech that Biden delivered in Bucks County where he promoted Finello’s campaign for the district.

Trump To Hold 3 Rallies in PA on Saturday: President Donald Trump will be rallying in Bucks County, Reading, and Butler on Saturday.

Ivanka Trump Campaigns in NEPA: Ivanka Trump, Mercedes Schlapp, and GOP challenger Jim Bognet boosted Trump’s campaign at an event Thursday in Wayne County, the Citizens Voice reports. 

Karen Pence Campaigns in Erie County: On Thursday, Second Lady Karen Pence headlined a “Make America Great Again!” event in Erie County, the Erie Times-News reports.  

Morning Call Previews State House Races in Lehigh Valley: The Allentown Morning Call has put together a preview of the state House races in the Lehigh Valley.  

PennLive Previews PA11 and Treasurer Race: PennLive breaks down the race in the 11th Congressional District between Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) and Democratic challenger Sarah Hammond and also provides a preview for Treasurer Joe Torsella’s reelection bid against GOP candidate Stacy Garrity, Libertarian Joe Soloski, and Green Party candidate Tim Runkle. 

Parnell To Join Don Jr. and Ted Nugent in Beaver County: GOP challenger for the 17th Congressional District Sean Parnell will be joining Donald Trump Jr., and Ted Nugent for a ‘Get Out the Vote’ rally in Beaver County on Friday, KDKA reports.  

Jill Biden To Campaign in Montco: According to a release from the Biden campaign, Jill Biden will be hosting an Educator Mobilization rally in Montgomery County on Friday. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Trump threatened to withhold aid from Pa. as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations surge. Here’s what you need to know.
AP: Late-arriving mail-in ballots count in Pennsylvania, for now 
AP: Missing ballots puzzle western Pennsylvania county officials 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Campaign committees raise record $35.4 million to spend on Pa. Legislature in 2020 election 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Map: How Pa. counties plan to count 3.1 million mail-in ballots
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We’ve seen more litigation than ever before;’ Pa. election coalition expects legal challenges through election day 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Answer the call’: Pa. Health Secretary Levine says to those stymying COVID contact tracers 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Birth control is healthcare’: Democratic reps call for legislation to ensure access to contraception 
Post-Gazette: Women in Pennsylvania are being courted for their votes. What has changed since the last presidential election?
Post-Gazette: Biden, Harris to spend final day before election in Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks: Rendell, on the stump for Biden, says he’ll consider moving to New Zealand if Trump wins
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: Western Pennsylvania and suburban women
WHYY Newsworks: They want to vote, but legally can’t. The Pa. voices that won’t be heard
Inquirer: Some see Trump as a ‘protector.’ Others have ‘had enough.’ Military voters in Pa. are deeply divided.
Inquirer: Pa. Democrats enter the homestretch fearing the Supreme Court will throw out votes 
Inquirer: Pa. officials reach out to 5 counties that plan to start counting mail ballots late; Eagles will host drive-thru mail ballot drop off in stadium parking lot 
Inquirer: Fact-checking a Trump campaign tweet that Pa. mail ballots arriving after Election Day won’t count 
Inquirer: Some Pa. voters still haven’t received their mail ballots yet — and they’re getting nervous 
Inquirer: Pennsylvania struggles with how — or if — to help voters fix their mail ballots 
Inquirer: Pa. won’t bring back the yellow and red shutdown phases yet, but warns against holiday gatherings 
Inquirer: These Pa. voters could sway the election | Morning Newsletter
Politico: A Journey into the Heart of America’s Voting Paranoia 
Patriot News: Pa. election officials to count late-arriving ballots but keep results separate in event of legal challenge 
Patriot News: Supporters, revelers, monitors and intimidators: On Election Day all will be bound by the law 
Patriot News: After 2016, pollsters express confidence and cite lessons learned 
Patriot News: Some Pa. counties will delay counting mail-in votes, potentially fueling challenges 
Patriot News: Pa. state treasurer faces three challengers seeking his job
Patriot News: Hand-deliver your mail-in ballots ‘immediately,’ top Pa. election official urges  
Patriot News: Biden hits Trump as Pa. reaches 200,000 coronavirus cases 
Patriot News: Faculty cuts at state universities expected to be announced on Friday 
Patriot News: New coronavirus cases top 2,000 a day in Pa., with 44 deaths reported Thursday 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf says state prepared for election-related civil unrest; says Trump ‘mistaken’ about Wolf counting votes
Morning Call: ‘Major concern’ that Pa. food service, lodging, travel jobs lost during coronavirus aren’t coming back 
WITF: Pa. bar owners to Wolf administration: ‘Let us do our jobs’ 
PLSReporter: Wolf, Boockvar: All counties should begin pre-canvassing ballots on Election Day 
PLSReporter: Levine asks people to work with contact tracers as COVID-19 case counts rise 
PLSReporter: Governor’s Desk: Wolf signs clean slate expansion, funding for emergency services, more 
Fox News: PA county pulling ‘out all the stops’ to help people vote after mailed ballots fell ‘into this void’ 
Fox News: Supreme Court decision to hold off reviewing Pennsylvania election case could impact legal strategy 
Fox News: Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot postmark problem, USPS says there’s room for error 
Fox News: Philadelphia sees wave of ATM, vehicle thefts amid riots, looting: reports 
Fox News: Pittsburgh park’s Christopher Columbus statue should go, arts panel decides
Philadelphia Magazine: A Troubling Number of PA Voters Believe in Bonkers Conspiracy Theories
New York Times: Facing Gap in Pennsylvania, Trump Camp Tries to Make Voting Harder
National Journal: Dems Win Key Ballot Deadline Victories in NC, PA 
National Journal: Trump’s House of Cards Is Crumbling in Congressional District Polling 
The Hill: Trump, Biden to barnstorm Pennsylvania ahead of Election Day 
The Hill: Exclusive poll: Biden leads in Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina 
The Hill: How recent Supreme Court rulings will impact three battleground states 
The Hill: Biden leading in Pennsylvania and Ohio: poll 
The Hill: Thousands of mail ballots may be lost, Pittsburgh-area official says 
CNN: Fact check: Trump falsely claims Biden has refused to condemn Philadelphia violence 
CNN: Walter Wallace Jr.’s family does not want officers who shot him to face murder charges, attorney says 
CNN: Thousands call Pennsylvania county about requested ballots that never arrived 
CNN: Democratic concerns about Latino support linger in final days of campaign
Real Clear Politics: In Battle for PA, Black Voters May Make the Difference
StateImpactPA: As election nears, Pennsylvania farmers — who see effects of climate change up close — have a list of things they’d like to see from government leaders   

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly firefighter union stands by controversial Trump endorsement as members remain divided
WHYY Newsworks: Philly City Council passes ban on use of tear gas, rubber bullets on protesters 
WHYY Newsworks: 911 program could have helped spare Walter Wallace’s life 
WHYY Newsworks: Lawyer: Wallace bodycam footage reveals PPD officers intended to kill 
WHYY Newsworks: A mother and daughter join together as poll workers ‘to make a difference’
Billy Penn: After Wallace shooting, Philly police seek $14 million for Tasers while overtime costs pile up 
Billy Penn: One glove per voter: How Philly will keep polling places COVID-safe on Election Day 
Billy Penn: Philly police rebuffed offers from crisis response center to work together, director says
Inquirer: Philly City Council votes to ban tear gas and rubber bullets in demonstrations 
Inquirer: Biden coming to Philly, will be joined later by Kamala Harris in Pa.; Eagles will host drive-thru ballot drop box at stadium 
Inquirer: ‘Shoot him,’ officer said before firing at Walter Wallace Jr., lawyer says bodycam footage shows 
Inquirer: Walter Wallace Jr. received mental health treatment just days before his death. A West Philly crisis center questions why it wasn’t included in Monday’s response. 
Philadelphia Magazine: The Latest Pennsylvania Polls Show Biden Ahead. Can You Believe Them?
Philadelphia Magazine: One of Philly Mag’s “Most Influential” Was Just Charged with Setting a Police Car on Fire
Philly Voice: City Council passes bill that would ban use of ‘less lethal’ munitions by cops at Philly protests 
Philly Voice: City Council bill seeks to end discriminatory motor vehicle stops
KYW Newsradio: Philly City Council passes bill banning use of tear gas on protesters
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania National Guard prepares for deployment to Philly to assist city amid unrest
KYW Newsradio: Family does not think police who killed Wallace should be charged with murder 
Philadelphia Business Journal: The verdict is in: 40 top Philadelphia-area lawyers named Best of the Bar for 2020
Philadelphia Business Journal: Best of the Bar 2020: Judge Marjorie O. Rendell inducted into Hall of Fame

SEPA
Daily Local News: Pipeline divides district, candidates in 155th House Dist. 
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers see hateful social media posts days before election 
Daily Local News: Mail-in voters in Chester County urged to get ballots to drop boxes ahead of Tuesday
Daily Local News: Chester County DA announces new conviction review process 
Daily Local News: Scalise retires after 5 years as Kennett Square’s manager
Bucks County Courier Times: President Trump to rally in Bucks County 
Delaware Valley Journal: As Trump Struggles in Suburbs, Some DV Women Stand By Their Man 
Delaware Valley Journal: Montco Commissioner: Please Reconsider Halloween Parties as COVID-19 Surge is Here
Montgomery Media: Official offers Montgomery County status report ahead of 2020 election
Montgomery Media: As coronavirus cases increase, Montgomery County officials urge residents to avoid indoor Halloween parties
Delco Daily Times: COVID-19 cases on the rise in Delaware County

Pittsburgh 
WESA: From Backyard Rallies To Homemade Lawn Signs, Grassroots Tactics Mark Final Days Of Campaign
WESA: Officials Say Voters Should Drop Off Ballots In Person, Not Mail Them
KDKA: Some Allegheny County Voters Receiving Incorrect Polling Location Information
KDKA: Donald Trump Jr., Sean Parnell, Ted Nugent Headlining ‘Get Out The Vote’ Rally In Ambridge
KDKA: More Gender Diversity Appears On Pa.’s Ballot As Women Candidates Grow In Numbers 
KDKA: Local Political Organizations And Businesses Offering Free Or Discounted Rides To Polling Places
KDKA: WATCH: Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Allegheny County Elections Warehouse
KDKA: Is Pennsylvania Risking A Repeat Of Bush V. Gore?
KDKA: Around The Table: Latest Polls In Pa. And Issues With Mail-In Ballots
KDKA: Status Conference Scheduled On Fate Of Schenley Park’s Christopher Columbus Statue
KDKA: Joe Biden Releases Statement On Pennsylvania Coronavirus Cases, As President Trump Set To Campaign In State On Saturday
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 149 New Coronavirus Cases, 2 Additional Deaths
Tribune Review: Behind the scenes at the Allegheny County elections warehouse
Tribune Review: Brentwood, Green Tree voters receive incorrect polling place information 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh artist creates scene with replica of President Trump head
Tribune Review: Allegheny County posts 149 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
Post-Gazette: Art commission takes final vote to remove Columbus statue 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 2,200 new cases
City Paper: An ongoing tally of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in Allegheny County 
WTAE: Pittsburgher outlines Pennsylvania’s canvassing schedule with new map

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Kail faces off against Unionworker Williams to represent 15th District 
Beaver County Times: Vogel to face Krizan in 47th Senatorial District race 
Beaver County Times: Donald Trump Jr., Ted Nugent to headline rally in Ambridge
KDKA: Butler County And USPS At Odds Over Lost Ballots
KDKA: Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Altoona Mirror: Trump’s son returning to Blair 
Altoona Mirror: Changes suggested for housing plan 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Five local counties report COVID-19 deaths among 44 statewide
Tribune Review: Westmoreland commissioner claims county pay raises result of political threat
Post-Gazette: Potentially thousands of requested mail ballots lost in Butler County, official says
Post-Gazette: Washington County Commissioner tests positive for COVID-19
Observer-Reporter: Mail-in ballots swamp Pa. elections offices 
Observer-Reporter: As virus cases rise, state has no plans to move back to red, yellow, green restrictions 
Observer-Reporter: Judge sets 2021 trial date for theater shooting 
Observer-Reporter: Reports of pre-filled mail-in ballots under investigation in Fayette County

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Almost 150,000 eligible to vote in Lackawanna County on Tuesday 
Times-Tribune: Ivanka Trump lauds father, blasts Biden as ’empty vessel’ during Wayne County campaign stop
Times-Tribune: Courtright bagman sentenced to probation for lying to authorities 
Times-Tribune: Cognetti announces tax-policy working group to improve Scranton’s tax structure 
Times-Tribune: County to remove most ballot drop boxes at close of business Friday 
Times-Tribune: Pennsylvania sees highest single-day COVID-19 death toll since June
Citizens Voice: Ivanka Trump lauds father, blasts Biden as ’empty vessel’ during Wayne County campaign stop
Citizens Voice: Council committee kicks off inquiry into county elections 
Citizens Voice: Both parties training poll watchers for election day, and beyond 
Citizens Voice: 75 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in county on Thursday
The Times Leader: Melania Trump, President Trump and Kamala Harris expected to visit NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council’s election inquiry committee to examine many issues
The Times Leader: Navarro: Pennsylvania’s ‘proud frackers’ help drive state’s economy
The Times Leader: Biden Campaign touts ‘a tax policy that respects Pennsylvania’
The Times Leader: 75 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1 new death

South Central 
York Daily Record: Q&A with Rep. Scott Perry
York Daily Record: Q&A with Eugene DePasquale
York Daily Record: Restaurant owners speak out against Gov. Wolf
Patriot News: Pa. Rep. Greg Rothman faces challenger Nicole Miller in 87th House District
Patriot News: Cumberland County commissioners stick with plan; mail-in ballot count there to start on Nov. 4 
Patriot News: Hundreds of volunteers, lawyers, clergy ready to respond to Election Day conflict in Pa. 
Patriot News: Will your ballot arrive in time? New USPS data casts doubt 
Patriot News: The battle for the Pa. 11th Congressional District is a political and a generational scuffle 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Trump’s path to a Pa. win relies on GOP ‘firewall’ in Lancaster County and surrounding region
LNP | LancasterOnline: Republican advantage continues to shrink in Lancaster County, down from 2016 Presidential Election
LNP | LancasterOnline: Trump and Biden campaigns have stopped in and near Lancaster County 11 times since late 2019; here’s where
LNP | LancasterOnline: Some smaller Pa. counties saw disproportionate share of COVID-19 in October 
York Dispatch: ‘Let us do our jobs’: York County restaurants rally against Wolf
York Dispatch: York City Council member charged with indecent exposure, harassment
York Dispatch: York County’s DA, top police officials, urge Election Day civility and respect in PSA video
York Dispatch: Here’s what York County residents need to know ahead of Election Day
York Dispatch: York County has 2 new deaths linked to COVID-19, 61 new cases
Carlisle Sentinel: UPDATED: Some trick-or-treat municipal plans change due to Thursday’s steady rain 
Carlisle Sentinel: COVID and colleges: Cumberland County’s colleges and universities navigate unknowns in pandemic response 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 33 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County Thursday; number of deaths rise in region

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Trump needs women’s votes. But 2 in 3 Lehigh Valley women disapprove of him, poll finds
Express Times: Need help with last minute voting questions? Here are the hours for Lehigh Valley elections offices through Election Day
Express Times: Trump making another Pa. campaign swing near Lehigh Valley this weekend
Express Times: WATCH: Lehigh Valley Trump and Biden supporters meet and civility prevails
Express Times: Northampton County reminds voters to drop only their ballots as GOP levies ballot harvesting claims
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 2,202 new cases; 44 more deaths, the highest since June; Lehigh Valley crosses 12K cases | Pa. COVID-19 county map (10/29/20)
Morning Call: Who’s running for Pa. House in the Lehigh Valley 
Morning Call: Allentown chief asks for $40.8 million police budget, with additional officer training and community programs 
Morning Call: Allentown business owners, City Hall wants to know how it can help you pull through the pandemic
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Another day with more than 2,000 cases; state wants residents to forgo holiday family gatherings 
WFMZ: Nearly 83K in Berks requested mail-in ballots; officials urge voters to make sure vote counts
WFMZ: Local Syrians have mixed feelings regarding U.S. policy towards refugees 
WFMZ: Bethlehem Police Department to collaborate with social workers 
WFMZ: Bern police, others preparing for Trump’s visit to RDG 
WFMZ: Local professor explains how Electoral College works 
WFMZ: Berks urges voters with mail-in ballots to use drop box
Reading Eagle: President Trump to campaign at Reading Regional Airport on Saturday 
Reading Eagle: In the coronavirus pandemic, absentee ballots replace polls for nursing home residents
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania House candidate Manny Guzman tests positive for coronavirus 
Reading Eagle: Berks County gets $470,929 election grant from national nonprofit
Reading Eagle: State’s reporting week ends with the fall surge in full swing in Berks County and across Pa.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Karen Pence says Trump victory runs through Pa.
Erie Times-News: Guns at polls: County sets rules amid concerns
Erie Times-News: Voter Voices: Casting ballot for ‘visionary’ Trump
Erie Times-News: Voter Voices: Independent puts trust in Biden
Erie Times-News: Erie County not considering new restrictions, for now, despite COVID-19 surge
Centre Daily Times: State College police release photos, ask for help in identifying partygoers who broke COVID ordinance
Centre Daily Times: Oct. 29 update: Centre County adds 46 new cases of COVID-19; Pa. has 2,202 new positives

Opinion  
John Baer: Last minute opportunities for Biden and Trump in Pa. 
John Baer: Some final thoughts on Pennsylvania’s choice for president 
Michael Nutter: We need more of Generation Z in politics
York Dispatch Editorial Board:  Pa. should ignore fracking debate
Inquirer Editorial Board: Police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. shows Kenney administration learned little from summer protests 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Voters are doing their job, despite GOP efforts to interfere in the process 
Inquirer: These Pa. voters spent 8 weeks talking to people on the other side of the aisle. The biggest surprise: How well it went.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Legislature, Wolf failed to do their jobs 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Make voting more convenient
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Connect the kids with the free meals
Paul Muschick: Clean slate: How a new Pennsylvania law helps block more criminal records from public view 
Kevin Fandl: How President Trump has failed rural Pennsylvania 
Tony Norman: The dead eyes and cold heart of Jared Kushner
Christine Speer Lejeune and Jessica Blatt Press: Ideas We Should Steal: Mental Health Police Reforms That Work 
Jennifer Stefano: I still believe America’s brightest days are ahead 
John L. Micek: This is more than an election. This is a test of who we are | Friday Morning Coffee
Jenice Armstrong: Stop stealing! Protest but without destruction. You’re hurting your own communities. 
Matt Wolfe: Stupidest Ballot Question. Ever. 
Will Bunch: Trump’s politicized Supreme Court has lost legitimacy. 2021’s Dems, do something! 
Trudy Rubin: Whether Trump wins or loses, the postelection fight to refresh democracy won’t be easy 
Imadé Nibokun: I’m a Black person with mental illness. Am I the next Walter Wallace Jr.? 
Kelly Corrigan: Even now, in an America that often feels shredded and furious, we can find common ground

2 Responses

  1. The Biden Riots for a criminal trying to kill police is GREAT for Trump. He thanks Philly for the contribution to his re-election campaign.

    TRUMPSLIDE is coming next week, BE READY!

  2. Trump is transferring his “victory” party on Election night from his DC hotel to the WH, so he can grift maximum benefits from taxpayers before he is put out to pasture. No worry, Big Boy, taxpayers will give you free food in prison.

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