News & Brews December 10, 2024
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Analyzing Dave McCormick’s win
The national news outlet NOTUS (“news of the United States”) writes that the “most significant” factor in Republican Dave McCormick’s victory over incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey might be the campaign’s “effort to target, engage and turn out a tranche of the electorate inclined to back Trump but otherwise dismissive of all other candidates, including Republicans.” Why does this matter? Well, per NOTUS, “Traditionally, Democrats have been the party that benefits from politically disengaged voters, while Republicans counted on the support of voters who turn out for every primary and every general election. That the dynamic has flipped should persuade Republican strategists to retool their campaigns if they want to keep winning elections, McCormick officials say.”
Shapiro: UnitedHealthcare CEO ‘killer is not a hero’
It’s ridiculous that this even has to be said, but after the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO killer was nabbed in Altoona, Pa. yesterday thanks in large part to an alert citizen, Gov. Shapiro stated, “This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed.” The statement came after thousands of folks—including some prominent media personalities—either overly or subtly praised the killer for targeting the healthcare industry, which many folks aren’t fond of. What these folks don’t realize is that their hatred says far more about them than it does about the object of their hate.
It’s election season … for GOP party chair, that is
Lawrence Tabas, who has served as chair of the Pennsylvania Republican Party since 2019, has a challenger for the role (although it’s unclear if Tabas is running for re-election in 2025). The Delaware Valley Journal reports that Bucks County resident Ted Christian has dropped his hat in the ring. And he’s got some financial backing from venture capitalist Paul Martino, who founded Back to School PA PAC and who has given $100,000 to Christian’s campaign.
The race for Pittsburgh mayor begins taking form …
WESA reports that Democrat Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor is officially launching his campaign for Pittsburgh mayor. The launch comes as “no surprise,” however, as it’s “been widely expected all summer” that O’Connor will challenge incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey next year. The story continues, “Not long ago, incumbent Pittsburgh mayors simply didn’t lose re-election — until Gainey foiled Mayor Bill Peduto’s re-election bid in 2021 in what was seen as further proof of a progressive takeover of the region’s politics. Now Gainey is beset by concerns about crime, homelessness, and the city’s financial situation. And he finds himself running against a candidate who is seemingly both fresh-faced and familiar.”
Harris staffers in Pa. ‘went rogue’ to reach voters
This story has it all: intrigue, secrecy, undercover operations, even a code name. But no, this isn’t a crime thriller. It’s apparently a New York Times story on how Harris-Walz campaign staffers tried to launch their own operation to reach Philly voters since the campaign itself was (allegedly) not doing enough. Meeting at a Philly Dunkin’ Donuts for “Operation Dunkin’kirk” (their term, not mine), these staffers seemed to be trying to save the flailing Harris-Walz campaign from itself. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t work.)