News & Brews August 22, 2024
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Shapiro’s ‘real freedom’ DNC talk doesn’t add up
To be blunt, Gov. Josh Shapiro wouldn’t know real freedom if it drove down his beloved I-95 to his doorstep. Addressing the DNC last night, Shapiro equated “real freedom” with forcing kids to attend government-run and union-controlled schools that don’t teach them how to read or write but sure do a great job of filling Democrats’ campaign coffers with union donations. As for educational freedom? Despite his earlier lip service to it, Shapiro made no mention of it last night as he seeks to conform to his party, whose platform also opposes school choice. (Also, on a philosophical level, “real freedom” never starts with the government, so there’s that.)
Dems kick 3rd party candidate off Pa. ballot, for now
Ah, the party that supposedly wants to “save democracy” is at it again, working to deny voters options on the ballot. The AP reports that Democrats have succeeded, at least for now, at getting the candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation off the Pa. ballot. A judge issued the ruling this week, although the party said it plans to appeal.
Casey: Streaming services bad (except my big donor)
Broad + Liberty reports that U.S. Senator Bob Casey is going after “video streaming services, saying major television and movie streamers have been raising prices while paring back their content offerings.” While naming multiple corporations by name (multiple times), “he gives only light mention to Amazon Prime, the second-largest video-streaming service in America.” Hmm, why could that be? Well, Amazon “has been the greatest corporate donor out of all the streaming services to Casey’s campaign committee as well as his leadership PAC, donating more than three times more than all other entertainment streaming services combined.”
Jobs report revised drastically downward
In the largest downward jobs report revision since 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing that in the year ending March 2024, 818,000 fewer jobs were created than originally announced. The Delaware Valley Journal reports that Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dave McCormick shifted attention to Sen. Bob Casey, whom he is challenging, tweeting, “Bob Casey lied again.” Casey previously posted how Democrats have “built a strong economy.”
RFK, Jr. dropping out? How election could change
Multiple media outlets are now reporting that RFK, Jr. is expected to end his presidential bid tomorrow and endorse former President Trump. RealClear Politics Co-Founder and President Tom Bevan posted that “RFK Jr exiting the race is going to help Trump, particularly in PA and AZ, but also in MI and WI. It will hurt Trump marginally in NC and NV.” Read more here.