🍻 Ladies and Gentlemen, weekend. Make sure you have a great one.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ McKees Rocks | Sunny, 69
☀️ Fort Indiantown Gap | Sunny, 67
☀️ Allentown | Sunny, 68
Sports PA
🏒 Penguins (1-1) | Detroit 6-3 | Saturday vs. Toronto
🏒 Flyers | Friday vs. Vancouver
🏈 Pennsylvania State (5-0) | Saturday vs. USC
🏈 Pitt (5-0) | Saturday vs. California
🏈 Eagles (3-2) | Sun vs. Cleveland
🏈 Steelers (3-2) | Sun vs. Las Vegas
👂 What we hear. The most money set aside on Election Day for a U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania was a whopping $75.5 million.
🎂 Happy birthday. A belated cake and candles for Libertine. Dan Moula (Thursday)
📊 PoliticsPA Poll Tracker (average of the last 5 PA polls)
President: Harris +0.8% | Senate: Casey +4.6%
🗞️ Political news from the Swing State. Where can you find the latest information on political events in the Keystone State? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Guide. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The most vital story
1. Obama Calls on Black Men to Show Harris During His Campaign in Pennsylvania
“Former president Barack Obama sharply criticized his successor in the White House Donald Trump and urged Black men to show up Kamala Harris during his campaign in Pittsburgh on Thursday at the start of a swing state tour for the Democratic ticket.
At the campaign field office to thank volunteers, Obama said he wanted to “tell some truths” after hearing reports that there was less enthusiasm for Harris than for his own candidacy and that some black men were considering sitting out the election. “(AP)
- ‘Let’s do it’: Barack Obama makes stern appeal to black voters during get-out-the-vote speech in Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Fact check: Trump, in a frenzy of lies, made at least 40 different false claims in two speeches in Pennsylvania. “We analyzed Trump’s speeches at two of his Wednesday campaign rallies in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, one in Scranton and one in Reading. In these two addresses alone, he made at least 40 separate false claims.” (CNN)
Trump promises to revive PA coal even as the natural gas industry strangles it. “It may not matter whether Trump’s promises are empty, as long as people feel the only other option is promises that have been broken.” (WESA policy)
Biden’s real lead in Pennsylvania, which has now disappeared for Democrats. “Delaware is reliably Democratic in presidential politics. But as Biden’s hometown popularity extends north, Biden’s status as a hands-on resident across the Pennsylvania state line in Chester County presents a clear electoral gap that Harris will need to fill.” (Washington Examiner)
Harris maintains a slight lead in Pennsylvania polls, but underlying voting trends favor Trump. “It cannot be overstated how important a Keystone State victory is to the Electoral College prospects for both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.” (Cook Political Report)
Country
2. Why Harris’ chances in Pennsylvania are tied to a statewide dynasty
“Four months later Bob Casey AND Barack Obama they shared the stage in Pittsburgh in 2012 and both won convincing victories on Election Day. So it’s easy to see why Casey was happy to have Obama back on his side on Thursday night.
The senator will have a much less proven partner at the top of the ranking list Kamala Harris. This time, the presidential candidate may need Casey more than her.” (Traffic lights)
Elsewhere
PA-17: Mercuri and Deluzio answer questions about their plans for Western Pennsylvania. “As voters begin to finalize their decisions in the upcoming election, one contested race in western Pennsylvania will be important to Beaver County’s representation in Congress.” (Beaver County times)
PA-07: Congressional leaders fight over Wild Mackenzie during competition in Lehigh Valley. “Each of the top U.S. House lawmakers visited the Lehigh Valley on Thursday in an attempt to influence voters in the region’s congressional race, and the location could have national ramifications.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
PA-10: GOP Ad Says Janelle Stelson Wants Taxpayers to Pay for Surgery Performed by Transgender Inmates. Her campaign says this is not true. “Gender-affirming surgery ad causes confusion in PA congressional race. A similar ad falsely suggested that former PA Health Secretary Rachel Levine was an inmate.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
PA-10: Perry is in a battle for his political life. He has been fighting for several decades. “Scott Perry once preached bipartisan civility. He has evolved into one of the most conservative and contentious voices in Congress.” (known)
PA-01: Ehasz hits Fitzpatrick in silent campaign. “Democratic challenger Ashley Ehasz hits out at Republican Brian Fitzpatrick weeks before Election Day, calling him invisible and afraid to engage with voters.” (Punchbowl News)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Shapiro helps Dems in Swing States races in Pennsylvania
“Governor Josh Shapiro is working behind the scenes to facilitate Democrats take control of Congress and statehouses in November.
Shapiro has become one of the most sought-after Democratic surrogates, embarking on a nationwide tour that includes stops in swing states and throughout Pennsylvania, with more before Election Day.” (Punchbowl News)
Elsewhere
Meet Eugene DePasquale and Dave Sunday, the leading candidates to be the next AP attorney general. “The multimillion-dollar fight to become Pennsylvania’s next top prosecutor is underway, and the Democratic and Republican candidates view the office differently.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Garrity’s campaign is trying to push back against election denial. “State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has publicly cast doubt on the 2020 election. Her campaign says it was a misunderstanding” (Penn Capital Star)
Six GOP congressmen are suing to set aside PA and overseas military ballots for the November election. “Six Republican members of Congress are suing the Pennsylvania Department of State, arguing that ballots from overseas voters – including members of the U.S. military – are susceptible to fraud because these voters are not subject to the identification requirements applicable to U.S. absentee voters.” . (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- 5 questions worth asking yourself before voting for president. (Mickey Edwards)
- What does Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, want from Pennsylvania… and America? (Will Bunch)
- Let’s tackle youth mental health issues before they reach crisis point. (Libertine. Arvind Venkat)
- Casey Jr. goes against his father’s legacy. (Paweł Kengor)
- Dangerous spread of disinformation. (Lori Falce)
1 item
5. America’s favorite fat bear
Grazer – “a large adult female with a long, straight snout” – was the winner of this year’s Fat Bear Week, an annual bear popularity contest in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
- 🏆 Grazer was also last year’s champion.
- This year she defeated Chunk, a dominant male who killed one of Grazer’s cubs. (Axles)
