☀️ Hello, Monday. We’re back from a soggy week at the beach. Thanks to everyone who organised Playbook last week.
Pennsylvania Weather
☀️ Clarion | Mostly radiant, 74
☀️ Lock Haven | Mostly radiant, 78
☀️ West Chester | Sunny, 82
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (69-49) | Arizona 5-12 | Tuesday-Wednesday vs. Miami
⚾ Pirates (56-61) | LA Dodgers 5-6 | Mon-Wed vs. San Diego
⚽ Union (League Cup) | Montreal 2-0 | Tue vs. Cincinnati
👂 What do we hear. New preliminary data from major US cities shows a pointed decline in violent crime in the first half of the year, including Philadelphia with a 42% drop in 2024.
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The most significant story
1. NYT/Siena Poll: Harris Now Leads Trump in Pennsylvania and Two Other Battlegrounds
“In the last days of an extraordinary political summer, Vice President Kamala Harris overtakes former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and two other key states that previously seemed out of reach for Democrats, according to new polls of likely voters by The New York Times and Siena College.
The results indicate that the presidential race remains tight, and the dynamics of a contest that many voters thought was dull and lifeless have changed dramatically with less than 100 days to go. (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Related
Trump says first debate with Harris will take place in Harrisburg. “Former President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that the first debate with Kamala Harris will take place in Harrisburg on Fox News. The others, he said, will take place in Philadelphia on September 10 (ABC) and in Michigan on September 25 (NBC).” (PennLive)
Lawsuit Filed to Keep RFK Jr. Off the Ballot in Pennsylvania“The petition claims that the nominating papers filed by Kennedy and his vice presidential candidate ‘demonstrate, at best, a fundamental disregard’ for state law and the signature-gathering process.” (AP)
Elon Musk’s Super PAC Under Scrutiny in Several Swinging States. “Voters who wanted to register through the America PAC website can no longer do so. The Elon Musk-backed political action committee is under investigation in North Carolina and Michigan. The Pennsylvania Department of State is aware of America PAC and encourages voters to seek information from other sources.” (WITF)
Republican Senate candidate McCormick supports increasing military spending to Cold War levels. “Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick said the country must radically change its approach to the military, increasing its numbers and adapting them to the demands of modern warfare.” (WESA)
Trump’s shooting didn’t spark calls for new gun restrictions, here’s why. “Mass shootings often prompt calls for tougher U.S. gun laws. That didn’t happen in response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Country
2. The Harris-Shapiro Mirage Has Disappeared: Why Pennsylvania Democrats Are Still Optimistic
“The Last Time Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro He and many of his fellow Democrats led the vote as they celebrated after the election.
Shapiro’s 2022 gubernatorial bid ended with him comfortably winning and moving from attorney general’s office to the governor’s mansion. Meanwhile, his political party captured a seat in the U.S. Senate and regained control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in more than a decade.
“Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to take over the state Senate majority in November,” said Penn State assistant professor Behrend Robert Playa he said. “Shapiro would probably give Democrats in the southeast some support if he were on the ticket.” (Erie Times-News)
Related
Major suggests another reason why Shapiro wasn’t chosen as vice president““I don’t post much on Facebook about the sexual harassment work I’ve been doing for the past year and a half because it’s very much ‘inside baseball,’ but ultimately it’s about you,” Rep. Abby Major wrote.” (Kittanning Leader Times)
Complaint: Union dues illegally funded Shapiro’s 2022 campaign.“The Pennsylvania State Education Association contributed nearly $1.5 million in membership fees to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2022 campaign, according to a recent complaint filed with the state Attorney General’s Office.” (Central Square)
New Pennsylvania Law Will Return Some Unclaimed Money Without a Claim“The change marks a significant election-year victory for state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican who proposed the bill last year and will face Democrat Erin McClelland in November.” (CNHI News)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Pennsylvania’s “I’m Not Weird” Voters
“Pennsylvania is the most important battleground state in this year’s election. A former industrial center that has played a key role in the development of American democracy since colonial times, the Keystone State is now a laboratory for the biggest trends redefining politics: most notably, the movement of working-class and lower-middle-class voters from the Democratic Party of their ancestors to the GOP. Not to the typical Republican Party — to Donald Trump party.
The “I’m not weird” voters dominate the latter camp. Needless to say, high turnout among this group is crucial to Trump’s campaign, while Kamala Harris one hopes they stay home or maintain their ancient loyalty to the Democrats. What motivates them? How did they go from hatred George W. Bush AND Mitt Romney and vote for Obama and now support Trump?” (Compact)
Related
Philadelphia’s top election official resigns four months before Election Day, then the mayor steps in“A top Philadelphia election official resigned last month to take a job in Montgomery County, but abruptly withdrew after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker intervened as the crucial November election approached, according to two sources familiar with the situation.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Montco man charged with voting in three counties in sporadic voter fraud case. “A Montgomery County man is accused of voting in a suburban county, Philadelphia and Florida. The case is unusual, and officials say the charges are proof the system works.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Bucks County sees slim margin and voter apathy ahead of 2024 presidential election“Frustration with domestic politics is more evident than enthusiasm.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Pennsylvania voters along Lincoln Highway see little impact from changed presidential race“Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, is seen by campaigns and political pundits as a key battleground. Voters in communities along the historic 200-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway that cuts through rural Southern communities could be the deciding factor.” (Tribune Review)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 directional thing
5. Farmers pay tribute to the creator of ‘peanuts’ by building corn mazes in the US and Canada
“Visitors to corn mazes across the country find a familiar and cheerful figure in the twisting maze of tall stalks. Snoopy.
More than 80 farms across the U.S. and Canada have teamed up with Peanuts Worldwide to create “Peanuts”-themed mazes to celebrate the beloved strip’s 75th birthday this summer and fall.
“All of these events help to keep my dad’s legacy alive,” he says. Jill Schultzactress and daughter of the creator of “Peanuts” Karol M. Schulz.” (AP)
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