April 9th: Center of the Universe

Hi There, It’s Tuesday. Get outside and enjoy the day.

PA Weather


Vandergrift | Partly Sunny, 76


Wellsboro | Mostly Sunny, 70


Palmerton | Mostly Sunny, 75

PA Sports


Sixers (44-35) | Tue vs. Detroit


Flyers (36-31-11) | Tue vs. Montreal


Penguins (36-30-12) | Toronto 2-3 (OT) | Thu vs. Detroit


Pirates (9-2) | Detroit 7-4 | Tue vs. Detroit


Phillies (5-5) | St. Louis 5-3 (10) | Tue vs. St. Louis

What We’re Watching. The six candidates for the Democratic nomination for PA-10 will debate tonight at 7 p.m. on WGAL-TV.

What We’re Hearing. “You have to show up in communities sometimes where it’s not easy to be a Democrat. You have to address those voters’ concerns and talk about how you’re going to make their lives better.” – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis

What’s Happening Today. The PA House and Senate are in session.

Politics – PA Style
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Top Story

1. Democrats in PA Urge Biden to Branch Out Beyond Philadelphia

“President Biden loves Philadelphia. And he loves campaigning there, too.

No part of the country has seen more visits from Mr. Biden so far this year, or throughout his presidency. Four years ago, the city — and its increasingly Democratic suburbs — cast one-third of the total votes in Pennsylvania, the nation’s most populous battleground state. Winning the region by large margins is essential for Mr. Biden’s hopes in November.

Now, some Democrats are saying that it is time for Mr. Biden and his campaign to widen their reach across the Keystone State, which he narrowly won by about 80,000 votes last time around.” (NY Times)

Related

Vice President Kamala Harris Schmoozes With Mayor Parker, Other Philly Dems Ahead Of PA Primary. “Vice President Kamala Harris sought to rev up Philadelphia Democrats Monday with the Pennsylvania primary just 15 days away.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Trump Declines To Endorse A National Abortion Ban, Says It Should Be Left To The States. “Former President Donald Trump said Monday he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, outlining his position in a video in which he declined to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation.” (AP)

Biden Moratorium On Natural Gas Exports Could Hurt Pennsylvania’s Energy Future, House Panel Hears. “Speakers representing industry and labor said Marcellus shale gas is needed here and abroad.” (Penn Capital-Star)

How Foreign Money Keeps Slipping Into U.S. Elections. “Lawsuits in Maine and Minnesota show how tricky it is just to define foreign election spending.” (NOTUS)

State

2. What The Race For PA Attorney General Has To Do With National Politics

“The most important statewide race on the April 23 primary ballot in Pennsylvania arguably isn’t for president — or U.S. Senate, for that matter.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have already secured their parties’ nominations, but Pennsylvanians will be able choose nominees for another race with national implications when they vote in the primary for state attorney general.

The state’s top prosecutor also has wide-ranging powers to represent the state’s interests nationally in civil court in lawsuits against both the federal government and major corporations. The primary will set up a high-stakes contest for the fall. Whoever wins in November will be seen as a top contender for governor in future years.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

PA Congressional Primary Preview: PA-03. “In our continuing series, PoliticsPA takes a look at the Democratic contenders for the 3rd Congressional District nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.” (PoliticsPA)

One in 10 PA Voters Choosing Mail-In Ballots For April Primary. There’s Still Time To Apply. “Despite the Presidential Election appearing to come down to a rematch of 2020, a large number of Pennsylvania voters seem energized to cast a ballot in the April 23 primary race, according to mail-in ballot application data.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

PA House Bill Would Honor Gold Star Families, First Black Speaker On Capitol Grounds. “Legislation approved by the state House of Representatives on Monday would establish a monument on the Capitol Complex grounds as a tribute to Gold Star families and designate an area of the lawn in honor of the state’s first Black House speaker.” (PennLive)

The Ultimate 2024 PA Primary Election Guide. “The April 23 race includes important Attorney General, State Auditor and Senate races. Oh yeah, and that Presidential thing.” (Philadelphia Citizen)

Around The Commonwealth

3. The RFK-Curious Women Of Bucks County

“Everybody loves Lynne. At least, that’s what all of her friends kept telling me last week, as they filed through Lynne’s front door in the Philadelphia suburbs, and sipped chardonnay in her crowded kitchen. When you meet her, you see why. Lynne Kelleher, a 66-year-old Bucks County Realtor, is utterly charming. Her pointed questions take you by surprise, and her impressive range of swear words makes you laugh until you snort.

Kelleher was the ideal person to convene my own personal focus group of educated suburbanites, a crucial segment of the electorate that Joe Biden and Donald Trump are competing for in November. The problem for the two candidates: None of these women likes either of them.” (The Atlantic $$)

Related

PA House Primary Preview: NEPA. “In our continuing series, PoliticsPA takes a look at the four state House races in northeastern PA – the 109th, 110th, 117th and 120th.” (PoliticsPA)

PA House Primary Preview: HD-139. “In our continuing series, PoliticsPA takes a look at the 2-for-1 election in Pike and Wayne Counties.” (PoliticsPA)

Scalise: NEPA Key to Republican Victories in November. “House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Monday said the Republican road to the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House runs right through Northeastern Pennsylvania.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

Who Will Be Next 90th District State Representative? Q&A With Republican Candidates. “In southern Franklin County, two Republicans – Chad G. Reichard and Janon R. Gray – are vying for their party’s nomination to replace state Rep. Paul Schemel.” (The Echo Pilot)

Trial Lawyers’ Dual Grip on Pennsylvania Politics and Public Opinion Revealed in New ATRA Reports. “Two new reports from the American Tort Reform Association uncovered the pervasive influence of trial lawyers on Pennsylvania’s legal and political landscapes.” (ATRA)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Dwight Evans in the Democratic Primary For 3rd Congressional District. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Can Pittsburgh Thrive Without Growing? We’re About To Find Out. (Brandon McGinley)
• Enough With “Words, Words, Words,” Gov. Shapiro: Show Me! (Matthew J. Brouillette)
• Governor’s Campaign Slogans Won’t Fix PA. (Nathan Benefield)
• The Value of Pennsylvania Natural Gas Continues To Grow. (Stephanie Catarino Wissman)

1 Thing

5. ‘Center of the Universe’: Erie Basks In Limelight of the Eclipse’s Path Of Totality

“As the moon covered the sun at 3:16 p.m. in Erie on Monday, and as the air grew cold and the sky grew dark, something else momentous occurred.

From the smallest of backyards to the biggest of venues — including Frontier, Lake Erie Speedway, UPMC Park, Perry Square and Presque Isle State Park — residents and tourists young and old wore their ISO-certified glasses and looked to the heavens.

They witnessed a celestial phenomenon that will next occur on Aug. 22, 2044. And that total solar eclipse won’t be visible in Erie.” (Erie Times-News)

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