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The most crucial story
1. Shapiro Offers Simple Song of Freedom in Democratic Convention Speech
“He would accept the Democratic nomination for vice president that same night, Governor Josh Shapiro called the Democrats “the party of true freedom.”
Mr. Shapiro defined freedom as allowing students to attend “a great public school with a great teacher,” as funding “the police and community” so students can return home safely, as allowing Americans to “marry the person they love” and start a family when they want, as providing clean water, clean air, the right to form unions, and the right to worship however they want.”Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Related
Shapiro’s advice to Harris: ‘Just keep moving’ “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro mocked former President Donald Trump and offered advice to Vice President Kamala Harris during an interview with POLITICO on Wednesday night.” (PoliticsPA)
Trump Spirals Out of Control in Late Night Attack on ‘Highly Overrated Jewish Governor’ “Donald Trump launched a furious attack in the middle of the night on “highly overrated Jewish governor” Josh Shapiro after he spoke out against the former president at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.” (HuffPost)
RFK Jr. to discuss future plans in Friday’s speech amid speculation he’ll skip the race“In what could be a consolidation of the presidential race, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will address the nation Friday in Phoenix, Arizona.” (PoliticsPA)
Casey Criticizes Streaming Services, But Underestimates Major Donor Amazon Prime“U.S. Senator Bob Casey recently turned his inflationary ire on streaming video services, saying major TV and movie providers are raising prices while cutting their content offerings — a move that fits into Casey’s “greedflation” campaign platform, in which he blames corporations, not government spending, for the inflation that has eroded the purchasing power of average Americans over the past three years.” (Wide + Freedom)
Country
2. Shapiro was everywhere at the DNC, promoting Harris and his own future
“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro campaigned across the country this week without leaving the Windy City.
On Wednesday morning, he received a standing ovation from a group of sleepy New Hampshire delegates who are used to vetting potential presidential candidates.
He then rode the elevator to the third floor to address delegates from Nevada—another state with early primaries—and then returned to New Jersey for the second floor. A few hours later, he delivered a prime-time speech on the convention’s main stage. (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Related
Perry, Reschenthaler sign letter criticizing Walz and military service“Fifty Republican members of Congress, including Scott Perry (R-10) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-14) of Pennsylvania, have signed on to a letter to Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz criticizing the Minnesota governor for his portrayal of his military service record.” (PoliticsPA)
PA8 Candidates Cartwright, Bresnahan Agree to Debate in October. “Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright’s campaign announced Wednesday that he will debate Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan in the race for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District in October. The debate, to be held at Wilkes-Barre’s King’s College Burke Auditorium on Oct. 22 or 23, will be broadcast live on WVIA-TV and WVIA Radio. WVIA is a PBS and NPR member station in northeastern Pennsylvania.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Democrats Pay $3M for Janelle Stelson Ad as Poll Shows Her Leading Scott Perry. “The race for a competitive congressional seat in central Pennsylvania is tightening with a poll showing Republican incumbent Scott Perry losing by one percentage point to his Democratic challenger, former WGAL news anchor Janelle Stelson.” (York Dispatch)
“Nobody wants to pay” for road and bridge maintenance“Long-term funding solutions continue to elude state lawmakers, leaving the maintenance of Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges and public transportation systems in jeopardy. This problem will only get worse in the years ahead.” (Central Square)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Democrats get a third-party candidate who was rejected from the Pennsylvania ballot while Cornel West tries to get into
Pennsylvania Democrats have won legal challenges that kept the leftist Socialism and Liberation Party from making it to the crucial presidential ticket in the state, at least for now, while a lawyer with deep ties to the Republican Party is working to aid an independent candidate Cornel West get to work.
The lawsuits are part of a series of partisan legal maneuvers surrounding independent candidates seeking to get on the ballot in Pennsylvania, including a pending Democratic challenge to a Pennsylvania filing by an independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.“(AP)
Related
Delegates welcome ‘regular guy’ Tim Walz to Democratic convention, say he’ll be key to attracting rural voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania“A raucous crowd of Democrats embraced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday night, believing the former teacher, football coach and veteran could inspire moderate and rural voters to turn out in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and send him to the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
What Pearlmania500 and Other PA Influencers Are Doing at the DNC. “Alex Pearlman and other Pennsylvania influencers attend Democratic National Convention for first time.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Lawmakers Langerholc, Burns clash over how to raise funds for school safety“Personal political tensions, election-year drama and the question of who gets credit for providing school safety funding unexpectedly intruded on the Cambria Regional Chamber’s annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Tonight, Kamala Harris (re)introduces herself to America. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- Selling Kamala Harris. (Wall Street Journal)
- I support the Democratic National Convention, but not necessarily its agenda on Puerto Rico. (Maria Quiñones Sanchez)
- The Democratic Party of Chicago: a pulsating party where ecstasy is the vision of a MAGA-free America. (There will be a Bunch)
- Kamala Harris beats Donald Trump on populism. (Martin Schram)
- Project 2025 would completely turn Washington upside down, which many conservatives simply accept. (Joyce Davis)
- Robert P. Casey, Jr.: Myth vs. Fact. (Emily Greene)
1 thing
5. Wawa moves west to Sheetz
Wawa has announced its latest expansion into Pennsylvania — on September 19, the retailer will officially open its first location in central Pennsylvania.
The newest store will be located in Middletown, right next door to an existing Sheetz store — another Pennsylvania favorite with more than 300 locations across the state.
According to KDKA News, Wawa plans to open additional stores in York, Dover, Williamsport, Hanover and Enola by the end of the year, with a goal of opening 40 stores in the central Pennsylvania market over the next five years. (CStore Decisions)
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