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⚾ Phillies (74-53) | Atlanta 2-3 | Fri-Sun vs. Kansas City
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👂 What We’re Hearing. “I don’t think there’s any pollster in America who can sit here and say … that they’re 100 percent sure that they fixed any issues in polling. I think that would be silly.” – Nick Gourevitch, a partner at Global Strategy Group

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Reps. Regina Young, Ed Neilson, Clint Owlett (Fri.), Sen. Judy Ward (Sat.) and Rep. David Maloney (Sun.)

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Top Story

1. As Harris Wraps Joyful Chicago Convention, Her Campaign Sets Sights On PA and the Path to the White House

“Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her party’s nomination for president, telling a packed-in crowd at the United Center that she would be a president for all Americans and fight for them as she did for years as a prosecutor.

It was the triumphant coda on a week that has built on Democratic momentum and aimed to introduce and celebrate Harris as the party’s history-making nominee with less than three months to go in a tight presidential election battle.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Pennsylvania Is Kamala Harris’ Biggest Operation, Campaign Manager Tells PA Delegates on DNC’s Final Day.”“We know that Pennsylvania is core to our pathway to victory as we look at getting to 270 which, of course, is our North Star,” Harris campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez said.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Democratic Pollsters Have a Warning About Kamala Harris’ Lead. “Burned by numbers that were too rosy in 2016 and 2020, Democrats are holding their breath as Harris surges against Donald Trump.” (POLITICO)

Shapiro: ‘Trump Is Obsessed With Me’ In Response To Be Called “Highly Overrated Jewish Governor” of PA. “One thing that is known about former President Donald Trump – when he feels personally attacked, he swings back. Seldom, though, has he faced a counter-puncher that gives as good as he takes. Meet Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro.” (PoliticsPA)

Casey Rails Against ‘Greedflation’ at Democratic National Convention. “Continuing on a theme he first introduced last year, Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey focused on “greedflation” — his term for corporate price gouging — during a brief address at the Democratic National Convention on its fourth and final night Thursday.” (Penn Capital-Star)

State

2. How States Are Preparing to Head Off Election Certification Crisis in November

“New rules in Georgia governing how local officials finalize vote totals have some election watchdogs worried that loyalists of former President Donald Trump could trigger a crisis if he loses the state in November, by abusing their authority to delay or avoid certifying results.

Election experts say they’re confident that the system’s checks and balances will quash those efforts and that each state has the legal authority to force members of county election boards to fulfill their duty to certify results. But they and state election officials are still concerned that the attempts could push the process close to strict deadlines and stoke doubts about the integrity of the election.” (Votebeat)

Related

Secretary of the Commonwealth Launches 2024 General Voter Education Initiative. “In preparation for the Nov. 5 general election, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt launched the Shapiro Administration’s voter education initiative.” (PoliticsPA)

PA-08: Cartwright, Bresnahan Agree to October Debate Date. “The two candidates for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District in the House of Representatives – Democrat Matt Cartwright and Republican Rob Bresnahan – have agreed to debate just two weeks prior to the November 5 general election.” (PoliticsPA)

How Nintendo Nostalgia Is Driving a New Wave of Video Game Production in PA. “Forty years after the cinder block-sized Nintendo Entertainment System introduced America’s youth to virtual duck hunting and Mushroom Kingdom plumbing, devotees remain — and not just behind the controller. Pennsylvania video game developers are making new games and cartridges for the NES nearly three decades after it was officially discontinued. They’re also making games for other bygone consoles like the Sega Genesis. Why?” (Spotlight PA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Why the Democrats and Republicans Believe the Road to the White House Runs Through Western PA

““All politics is local,” the old saying goes. And as the Democratic National Convention wraps up, it may be time to add “… and the road to the White House leads through Pittsburgh’s West End.”

OK, maybe not. But in both parties’ conventions this summer, often-ignored Western Pennsylvania communities had their moment on the national stage and helped define the political landscape of the entire election.” (WESA Politics)

Related

What Should Harris Do To Maintain Momentum? Black Leaders in Philly Weigh In. “Prominent figures in Philadelphia’s Black community shared their insight on what she should do to keep the momentum after her party’s big gathering.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Jury Sides With Pennsylvania Teacher in Suit Against District Over Jan. 6 Rally. “After an 11-day trial, jurors found the Allentown School District retaliated against Jason Moorehead when it suspended him after the deadly insurrection in the nation’s capital and asserted he “was involved in the electoral college protest that took place at the United States Capitol Building.” (AP)

Inside PA Politics with Jon Delano. “Check out the newest edition of Inside PA Politics.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Why the Blue Wall Looms So Large. (Ron Brownstein)
• It’s a New Race. Harris’ Acceptance Speech Showed Why. (John F. Harris)
• Trump Takes It Upon Himself to Decide Who Is a Proper Jew. (Philip Bump)
• In Chicago, PA Democrats Are Acting Like It’s 2008 All Over Again. (Jenice Armstrong)
• Dave McCormick Isn’t Going to Fight For Steelworkers Like Me. Just Look At His Record. (Bob Heister)
• Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, A Fractured Political Friendship. (David Reel)
• Undecided Moderate Women Could Be the Tipping Point This November. (Jackie Payne)

1 Thing

5. Instagram Is Adding a Myspace-Like ‘Song On Profile’ Feature

“A new feature announced by Instagram today will allow users to add a song on their profile — much like Myspace in the early 2000s.

The music added to a user’s profile shows up in the bio area, according to screenshots shared by Instagram. A song will be featured on a profile until the user removes or replaces it. But unlike Myspace, songs won’t autoplay — people viewing a profile with a song can play and pause the track.” (The Verge)

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