Tug of War: March 11 Playbook

Just Another Manic Monday. “Amateurs seek the sun, get eaten. Power stays in the shadows.” – from the Oscar-winning film, Oppenheimer.

PA Weather






Cranberry Twp | Sunny, 50






Danville | Becoming Sunny, Breezy, 49






East Stroudsburg | Becoming Sunny, Windy, 48

PA Sports






Sixers (36-28) | New Orleans 95-103 | New York 79-73 | Tue vs. New York






Flyers (33-24-8) | Tampa Bay 0-7 | Tue vs. San Jose






Penguins (28-27-8) | Boston 1-5 | Edmonton 0-4 | Tue vs. Ottawa

What We’re Hearing
“This primary matters to special interest groups all over the place because they wanted nominated people who support their particular interests.” – Terry Madonna, senior fellow in residence for political affairs, Millersville University

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Ben Sanchez.

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Top Story

1. The Dynamics of the Brewing Tug-Of-War With David McCormick Over Bob Casey’s Senate Seat

“Pennsylvania, a purple state that often acts as an election bellwether, once again stands on the front lines of a presidential contest.

And it’s also likely to be the battleground for a nationally significant Senate race, with longtime Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey seeking to defend his seat from a Republican challenger.

Political experts agree that the incumbent will likely face his strongest competition yet in David McCormick, the former hedge fund CEO poised to capture the GOP nomination and receive an outpouring of support from Republicans fighting for a Senate majority.” (USA Today)

Related

In Delco, Biden Delivers A Rallying Call To Suburban Women. “President Joe Biden is not as popular as he was when he won the 2020 election, but the group that has stuck by him the most is women.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Progressives Who Transformed Pennsylvania Politics Are Set To Be A Decisive Force In 2024. “In an obscure race during an off-year election in a quiet corner of Pittsburgh, a long-simmering political movement that would reshape Pennsylvania politics was about to emerge into public view.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Experts: Pennsylvania Primary A Preview Of November Election. “President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are on a clear path to a November election rematch which could lull Pennsylvania voters into complacency and disinterest for the state’s primary elections on April 23. That would be a mistake, according to Valley political experts.” (Daily Item)

State

2. Democrats Hope IVF Issue Might Topple Key Republican In PA Swing Seat

“Rep. Scott Perry, a conservative Republican representing a moderate suburban district in the Harrisburg area, insists he supports in vitro fertilization though he sponsored a bill last year that would make it federal law that life begins at conception.

But some voters in his district, like new mom Ashley Moyer, don’t believe him.

“I don’t really know how you can support IVF and believe that life begins at conception,” Moyer said. “The two things are very contradictory.”” (Washington Post)

Related

Voters Weigh Policies, Electability Of Democratic Candidates Seeking To Unseat Perry. “Five of the six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to take on Rep. Scott Perry appeared Sunday at a forum in Harrisburg, making pitches for both their policy agendas and why they are best positioned to bump off the Republican incumbent.” (PennLive)

PA-10: Congressional Candidate Stays On Primary Ballot After Court Challenge Gets Tossed. “A Commonwealth Court judge on Friday ruled that a York County candidate for Congress can stay on the Democratic Party’s April 23 primary ballot even though he may not have met the exact letter of the law in his nominating petition.” (PennLive)

Pennsylvania Treasurer Candidates Spar Over Unclaimed Property Issue. “An obscure policy issue is getting new attention in this year’s race for Pennsylvania treasurer as Democratic state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie seeks to draw a contrast with Republican incumbent Stacy Garrity.” (Spotlight PA)

Pennsylvania’s Path To Legalizing Cannabis Faces Numerous Hurdles. “To the cannabis-curious, possibilities are bountiful in a nation increasingly supporting the legalization of marijuana.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

States Have Hodgepodge Of Cumbersome Rules For Enforcing Sunshine Laws. “A nationwide review of procedures by The Associated Press and CNHI News revealed a patchwork of complicated systems for resolving open government disputes that often put the burden of enforcing transparency laws on private citizens.” (AP)

Around The Commonwealth

3. In PA, Geography And Unfounded Election Fraud Beliefs Can Decide Dropbox Access

“In the 2020 presidential election, about 10,000 mail-in ballots weren’t delivered on time in Pennsylvania.

Mail-in ballots must reach the election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Otherwise, they don’t count — even if a postmark says it was mailed on time.

It’s a major reason why many Pennsylvania voters and advocates for free and fair elections want the option of using a ballot drop box rather than relying on the U.S. Mail.” (PennLive)

Related

Monroe County Commissioner Under Investigation For Improper Election Ballot Submission. “Josephine Ferro said she submitted a Freedom of Information request to check for mail in ballot box fraud. What she found on the video was Democrat Commissioner Sharon Laverdure submitting on two different days.” (WOLF 56)

Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation Responds to SOTU. “Here are responses to the address from the Pennsylvania delegation from District 1 to District 17.” (PoliticsPA)

Minimum Wage Debate Persists In Pennsylvania. “The House Democratic Policy Committee issued a call to action this week during a hearing on raising the minimum wage at SEIU Local 668 in Philadelphia.” (The Center Square)

The Center For Rural Pennsylvania Highlights Immigration During Symposium. “The panel discussions focused on rural Pennsylvania and included representatives from education and housing to immigration and population. Population density has decreased in the state, and rural areas are looking to international residents to fill open jobs.” (WVIA)

Sunday Mornings

• This Week in Pennsylvania: Matthew Knittel, Independent Fiscal Office
• Pennsylvania Newsmakers: Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA; Zach Hoopes of Harrisburg Patriot News/PennLive; Pamela Mohn, CEO of the York Educational FCU, and Bradford Simpson, CFO of the CrossState Credit Union Association
• Inside Story: Rich Thau, President of Engagious & Founder of the “Swing Voter Project”
• Face The State: Rep. Brian Munroe

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Only Voters Can Save The Country From A Second Trump Term. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• TikTok Billionaire, Donald Trump, And The Selling Of The President 2024. (Will Bunch)
• Let The Sunshine In: Opioid Settlement Funds Must Be More Transparent. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• If You’re An Undecided Voter, Study The Character Of The Candidates To Decide. (PennLive)
• Look For President Biden’s Popularity To Rise After His Feisty State Of The Union Address. (Mark S. Singel)
• Would Reagan Recognize Today’s Republican Party? Absolutely. (Meaghan Mobbs)
• Scranton Joe Surges. MAGA Cons Shrink. (Chris Kelly)
• We Need To Support Victims Of Gun Violence. Here’s How. (Lt. Gov. Austin Davis)
• City Immigration Ordinance Is Unsafe And Unnecessary. (State Sens. Ryan Aument, Scott Martin And Chris Gebhard)
• Secrecy Still Pervades Pennsylvania State Government, But Spotlight PA Is Fighting Back. (Christopher Baxter)

1 Thing

5. “Oppenheimer” Dominates Oscars

Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller “Oppenheimer” won the award for best picture at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday, bucking a recent trend of indie films taking home the top prize.

Why it matters: “Oppenheimer” proved that with enough gravitas and commercial appeal, certain films can still win over theater-goers and critics alike.

Details: The historical drama won seven prizes Sunday, including the awards for Best Director (Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Cinematography (Hoyte Van Hoytema) and Best Film Editing (Jennifer Lame).

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