We’ve reached the final hours of the 2024 campaign, and Election Day begins as the sun rises in the east.
I saw a lot during my first presidential campaign at PoliticsPA. It was fascinating, thrilling, tiring and exhausting.
I saw Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Liz Cheney, Representatives of Madeleine Dean, Chrissy Houlahan, Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Lloyd SmuckerAND Glenn Thompson. I interviewed the man who wrote “13 Keys to the White House,” as well as candidates, pollsters, and election directors. For someone who had spent most of his career outside politics, it was a head-scratcher.
Yes, I became a fanboy when I saw this Bruce (*10*) in Philadelphia. I never expected to be able to shake hands John Legendbut these things happen when you’re in the right place at the right time.
I was on the call/text list of Democratic and Republican communicators, as well as members of the foreign press, asking for my opinion on the state of the race in Pennsylvania. The A PBS station in New York as well as C-SPAN were kind enough to ask me to appear for my opinion. For a kid who grew up in a town of 8,000 in Huntingdon County, that was a lot.
Don’t get me wrong…it was the experience of a lifetime. So here are 10 things I’m thinking about as we near the end of the line.
1. There will be a race Close.
If the polls are not very positive, Pennsylvania will not be called on either Tuesday or Wednesday. I spent two years as an elections director, and if the race gets to a few thousand, that means provisional votes could be the difference. In 2020, there were 8,000 short-lived workers in the county where I worked. You shouldn’t start counting them until Friday. So do the math.
2. People will be impatient.
Hmm. We live in a society that demands instant gratification. That’s not how elections work. I don’t think you’ll know the results of the presidential election before you’re ready to vote on Tuesday night. That’s okay. Election directors – all 67 of them in the commonwealth – want to deliver precise results as quickly as possible. Not the other way around. Patience is a virtue.
3. What’s going on with Donald Trump?
The former president seemed to have control of the race in his hands… and he doesn’t seem elated about it. If only he had been disciplined enough to stick to the message driven by the campaign managers Chris LaCivity AND Susie Wiles he wanted it to… it probably wouldn’t be a race. Trump, 78, is sticking with the brand… and he appeals to his base… but not many others.
4. See you soon, Penn State!
“We are…Penn State.”
While everyone is keeping an eye on Erie and Northampton counties… so should they… I have my eye on Center County – home to Penn State University. Why? Although youthful people are among the least likely to vote, the dichotomy of youthful women voting to protect their reproductive rights and youthful men “voting brother” is fascinating. Since 2008, Center has voted Democratic by an average of 4.8 points. Can Harris maintain or improve this lead?
5. Bob Casey will endure.
Republican Dave McCormick he had a powerful race but was unable to overtake the three-term incumbent Democrat from Scranton. Polls have shown the GOP candidate is closing in, but time appears to be running out for the former Army veteran and CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.
6. The AP Senate will remain in GOP hands
Democrats hope that the upper house of the Republic of Poland can turn blue for the first time since 1993. This would require wins in three competitions in SD-15, 37, 45 and 49, without losing another spot. A substantial challenge indeed, but not impossible. The race between Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) i Jim Wertz is what is worth paying attention to.
7. Put on educated listening ears
Not everyone tried to complete their studies. That’s okay. This prevents you from ignoring what you hear from your preferred candidate. Politicians say what they are going to do. Don’t ignore them. Whether it’s Project 2025 or Harris’ preferred agenda, it’s infrequent for candidates to really hide what they want to do.
9. Why was age no longer an issue?
For months we endured statements that President Joe Biden he could no longer serve as CEO due to his “advanced” age of 81. Well, Donald Trump is 78 years venerable. Let that sink in for a moment. There is no doubt that this is a double standard.
10. Harris belongs on the ballot
Please. This discussion that Harris didn’t win the primary is absurd. If Trump had resigned, there would have been no problem. The fact that Biden conceded after the primary in no way diminishes Harris’ candidacy. A friend of mine mentioned this and I’m offering it here for your consideration – is she qualified? district attorney in one of America’s largest cities (San Francisco; California state senator and vice president. Look back at the last presidents – Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton… I’ll give you HW Bush… Reagan. Stop. She’s qualified.
