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🎤 Today at the RNCPennsylvania delegation to hear US Congressman Lloyd SmuckerCandidate for the Senate Dave McCormickand state Representatives Bryan Cutler AND Josh Kail. The theme of the day is “Make America Great Again.”
👂 What do we hear“Southwestern Pennsylvania is really on the front lines,” he said. Michael Kenneychairman of International Security Studies at the University of Pittsburgh and a researcher of violent extremism. “We’re right in the middle of it all.”
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The best story
1. Poll: 2/3 Democrats Want Biden to Resign
“It’s reminiscent of one of the famous lines from Mad Men – “Not so cool, Bob.”
The AP-NORC poll of 1,253 adults nationwide finds that 7 in 10 adults, including nearly two-thirds of Democrats surveyed (65%), say President Joe Biden should drop out of the Democratic race and let his party choose another candidate.
The poll, conducted July 11-15, also found that Republicans (73%) are not the only group that thinks the former Delaware senator should step aside. Independents — the most favored political group — topped the list, while 77% of those not affiliated with a major party said Biden should not be at the top of the list. (PoliticsPA)
Related
Pelosi Tells Biden: You’re Dragging Democrats Down“Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told President Joe Biden last week that she and other Democratic lawmakers fear he is dragging the party down, in an unusually candid confrontation that came amid mounting pressure on Biden to end his reelection campaign.” (POLITICIAN)
These 4 Democrats Are Leading Biden by 5 Points Over Trump in Key States: Note“Four prominent Democrats, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, would fare significantly better than President Biden in key swing states if they replaced him as the party’s presumptive nominee, according to a memo from a Democratic-funded polling group.” (Hill)
Vance introduces himself as Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate and directly references his native Rust Belt“J.D. Vance used his speech Wednesday night to the RNC to share the story of his troubled childhood and make the case that his party best understands the challenges facing struggling Americans.” (AP)
- JD Vance is making it easier for the Republican Party to achieve its “America First” vision. (Traffic lights)
COVID-19 Cases Surge in Summer; Even President Biden Doesn’t Care“COVID-19 cases are rising across the country, including in the Lehigh Valley. Multiple news organizations reported Wednesday evening that the White House said President Joe Biden tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday and has mild symptoms.” (News)
Country
2. The “Big Deal”: Obtaining $500 million in federal aid to replace the I-83/South Bridge
“The 125,000 drivers who travel across the I-83/South Bridge in Harrisburg every day will likely be crossing the new bridge before the end of the decade.
On Wednesday, it was announced that a $500 million federal grant had been awarded US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg“The amount will go towards covering the $1.2 billion replacement cost of the bridge, which is the busiest bridge in the region.”PennLive)
Related
Feds Send $500 Million to Pennsylvania to Replace I-83 South Bridge“It’s a big deal for anyone traveling from the West Shore to the other side of the Susquehanna River.” (PoliticsPA)
Here’s Why a Pennsylvania Trump Ally and a Trump Skeptic Are Not Attending the RNC. “Representatives Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick will not be attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee for official business reasons.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Big PAC donors, personal funds keep McCormick close to Casey on Senate spending“Thanks to his personal checkbook and several large donations to his affiliated super PAC, Dave McCormick was able to match Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey dollar for dollar in a race that could decide which party controls the upper chamber in January.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Congress Fundraising Numbers in Q2. “Here are the second quarter fundraising totals reported to the FEC as of July 15.” (PoliticsPA)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. “Of All Places”: Deep Red Butler Deals with Trump Assassination Attempt
“On the streets of Butler, Pennsylvania, after Saturday’s assassination attempt on a former President Donald Trumpthe same four words are repeated over and over: “Of all places.”
Butler, home to about 13,000 people, and the county whose grand courthouse graces the square, are named for the Revolutionary War general. American flags fly along the main drag, alongside black-and-white photos of local heroes who died in other wars fought in the name of democracy. The first Jeep was produced here in 1940 at the request of the U.S. Army.
It’s rural. It’s neighborly. And it’s Trump country.” (AP)
Related
Trump Assassination Attempt Rekindles Concerns About Western Pennsylvania’s History of Violent Extremism“The attempted assassination of Donald Trump by a 20-year-old from Bethel Park has prompted a rare warning from the nation’s two top homeland security officials and heightened fears that the region remains a hotbed of violent domestic extremism.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Butler Township official describes how small-town cops tried to thwart Trump’s shooting“As a House of Representatives committee moved Wednesday to question the director of the Secret Service about her embattled agency’s actions in the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, a local Butler County official described how two small-town police officers tried unsuccessfully to thwart the shooter.” (Tribune Review)
Pennsylvania State University Board of Governors Votes to Freeze Tuition for Pennsylvania Residents“The vote to keep tuition frozen for a seventh consecutive year follows last week’s state budget, which included a 6% funding increase for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). That represents $35.1 million in new money for universities.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Here’s How Pennsylvania’s New Happy Hour Law Will Help Bars and Restaurants“Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation Monday that amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code and expands the number of hours licensed establishments in the state can hold happy hours from 14 to 24 hours per week. It also allows establishments to advertise discounted meal kits with adult beverages.” (PennLive)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 thing
5. Streaming usage reaches recent record in the US
“Americans spent 40.3% of their TV viewing time on streaming platforms in June, a record high, according to Nielsen.
Why is this important?:The increase was driven by younger viewers (ages 2-17) who had more time to watch TV in the past month following the end of the school year.
These viewers drove a 6% increase in streaming and a 2.1% increase in overall TV consumption compared to the previous month. Viewing among kids 2-11 increased by 16% between May and June.” (Axial)
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