☕ Monday, Monday. What a weekend.
Pennsylvania Weather
☀️ Kittanning | Mostly clear, 94
☀️ Lewisburg | Gradual Cleansing, 94
☀️ Glenside | Mostly clear, 96
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (62-34) | Oakland 3-18 | All-Star Break
⚾ Pirates (48-48) | Chicago White Sox 9-4 | All-Star Break
⚽ Union (4-9-10) | Toronto 1-2 | Wed vs. New England
Today at the RNC
🎤 Pennsylvania delegation to listen Rep. Dan Meuser (R-09), State Treasurer Stacey Garrityand chairman of PAGOP Lawrence Taba for breakfast at 9 a.m. CT. Opening session begins at 1:45 p.m. CT.
👂 What do we hear“He came on stage and invited me — introduced me and invited me on stage and then said no, no, why don’t we wait and invite you a little later.” Dave McCormick he told “Fox News Sunday.” “And just a minute or two later, shots were fired. I would be on stage anyway.”
🗞️ Today’s headlines >> Your inboxWhere can I find the latest news about what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. 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 subscribe now.
The best story
1. Biden says country cannot go down the path of political violence
“President Joe Biden warned on Sunday of the risk of political violence in the US following Saturday’s assassination attempt on the former president Donald Trumpsaying, “Time to cool down.”
In a prime-time speech from the Oval Office, Biden said political passions can be forceful but “we must never devolve into violence.” The president acknowledged passions in an election year and that he and Republicans offer different policy visions, but he implored Americans to “recommit” to resolving their differences peacefully. (AP)
Related
Officials: Bomb-making materials found in car, home of potential Trump assassin“The man who officials say tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump was 20 years old and from a Pittsburgh suburb not far from a campaign rally where one attendee was killed.” (Butler Eagle)
Inside Ziklag, a secret organization of wealthy Christians who are trying to influence elections and change the country“A network of ultra-wealthy Christian donors is spending nearly $12 million to mobilize Republican voters and remove more than a million people from the rolls in key swing states, aiming to tip the 2024 election in former President Donald Trump’s favor.” (ProPublica)
Pennsylvania Independent Voters Could Sway Presidential Election, Here’s What They Have to Say“The rapidly growing concerns among Pennsylvania voters about the two major party presidential picks after the first debate came as no surprise to independent voter Jennifer Bullock.” (PennLive)
6 Democrats Who Could Be Harris’ Vice Presidential Candidates“Vice President Harris is the most obvious successor to President Biden if he withdraws from the Democratic ticket in the face of mounting pressure, a situation that would immediately raise the question of who Harris’ vice presidential running mate would be.” (Hill)
- Burgum, Scott and Vance are the top candidates for vice president by Republican Party delegates in Pennsylvania. (Lincoln Institute)
Country
2. McCormick: ‘We have to limit this’
“Just try to stay calm. That was one of the first thoughts that came to my mind. David McCormick mind in the chaotic moments that unfolded Saturday in Butler that ultimately turned out to be an assassination attempt on the former president Donald Trump.
Minutes earlier, Trump had said the Republican businessman and U.S. Senate candidate should join him on stage in front of thousands at the rally. After McCormick stood up to walk toward the stage, Trump appeared to change his mind and suggested he should wait a bit. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- Senator Bob Casey on ‘terrible’ assassination attempt on Trump. (CNN)
Related
Western Pennsylvania congressman wants to know if security failure led to shooting at Trump rally in Butler. “How could Thomas Matthew Crooks shoot Donald Trump at the former president’s rally in Butler on Saturday? U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly wants to know.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Western Pennsylvania Delegates Fully Support Trump, Republican National Convention Like No Other in Recollection“The Republican National Conventions of years past have been full of intrigue, speculation and breakthroughs, but this year it may turn out to have one primary target: Trump.” (Tribune Review)
Students, SEPTA and legal marijuana: winners and losers of Pennsylvania’s recent $47.6 billion budget. “As whenever a country has to divide up its limited resources, there are those who have and those who have not. Here are some of them.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Legal marijuana, substantial tax cuts and minimum wage: the losers in this year’s budget“Although no one filled out their bingo card, many were included in the final plan, which was passed nearly two weeks after the June 30 deadline.” (PA reflector)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. ‘Why Butler?’: Community grapples with fallout from Trump rally shooting
Residents of the compact, rural town of Butler woke up in disbelief Sunday morning, grappling with the aftermath of an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate that came too close to home.
It’s not the kind of story the typically serene town of about 13,000 and its surrounding communities want to be a part of: the site of the first attempted bombing in decades, in which police say a 20-year-old man was killed Thomas Matthew Crooks from the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park fired shots at Donald Trump “just a few minutes after the speech began.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Related
Steel workers’ city tries to emerge from Trump shooting day of infamy“Now Butler has entered history with his own day of infamy.” (Erie Times-News)
Shapiro identifies man killed at Trump rally, condemns extreme political rhetoric“Gov. Josh Shapiro called for a cooling of political rhetoric and paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, who was killed Saturday in a shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Former fire chief killed at Trump rally used his body to shield family from shooting. “Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield from bullets flying at his wife and daughter rang true to close friends and neighbors who loved and respected the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter, noting that the Butler County resident was a ‘man of conviction.’” (AP)
Plum man in medically induced coma after being shot at Trump rally“David Dutch, 57, was shot in the liver and chest during a rally at the Butler Farm Show, according to a post by the Marine Corps League, of which he is a member.” (Tribune Review)
‘I’m Grateful It’s Over’: Jamie Walsh Declares Victory in 117th District. “Republican challenger Jamie Walsh has declared victory in the close race for the 117th District. The Luzerne County Elections Office counted votes from 12 provisional ballots July 12. Walsh now has a five-vote lead over Michael Cabell, with a score of 4,735 to 4,730, according to the county’s unofficial tally.” (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Democracy must oppose violence. (Tribune Review)
- The Trump rally shooting is another opportunity to change the nation’s culture of lethal gun control. (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
- Enough is enough! (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- America was an inch from disaster, and I was there. (Dave McCormick)
- In “Uncanny” Milwaukee, Trump’s shooting isn’t bringing America closer together. (There will be a Bunch)
- Can politics be fixed after the failed assassination attempt on Trump? It won’t be uncomplicated. (Chris Potter)
- Journalists should not repeat the lies that politicians tell them. (Chisom Okorafor)
- Voters should carefully review candidates and proposals such as Project 2025. (LNP)
- Get your act together, Democrats. You can still win this. (Bill Scher)
1 thing
5. Angry Birds play drones
“A fleet of drones patrolling New York City beaches for signs of sharks and people who can’t swim are met with a negative response from an aggressive group of coastal inhabitants: local wading birds.
Since the drones began flying in May, flocks of birds have repeatedly swarmed the devices, forcing police and other city agencies to change their flight plans. While the attacks have abated, they have not stopped entirely, fueling concerns among wildlife experts about the impact on endangered species that nest along the coast. (AP)
Thank you for starting your morning with us.
Please invite your colleagues
to subscribe to the PoliticsPA handbook
