News & Brews January 19, 2026
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Book: Shapiro was offended by Harris’s vetting process
In his upcoming book, Gov. Shapiro gives the biggest indication yet that he’s never faced a tough opponent in a competitive race. He claims he was offended by some of the questioning from the Harris team during the VP vetting process. Specifically, he was asked if he had ever been an agent of the Israeli government. “Had I been a double agent for Israel? Was she kidding?” Shapiro wrote in his book. “I told her how offensive the question was.” Look, whether any question is offensive or not, anyone who’s run in a tough race knows that campaigns have to ask EVERY question of their candidate, because on a tough campaign trail, those same questions will come up–offensive or not. But Shapiro’s never faced a tough opponent in a competitive race. And this part of his book alone tells us how ill-equipped he is for the national stage.
How Sen. McCormick navigated year one in office
The Post-Gazette reports that after winning a super-close election in 2024, Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick is “acutely aware that not everyone wants him” in Washington. Yet, during his first year in office, he “said he believes he’s shown that he’s more than up to the task.” His approach, as explained by the P-G, is “a relationship with the president in a way that he says benefits Pennsylvanians while respectfully distancing himself on specific issues. A staunchly conservative mission while prioritizing bipartisan legislation. An openness to hearing harsh constituent feedback while sticking firmly to his own positions.”
Fitzpatrick wants an end to political parties
In an interview with Philadelphia Magazine, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick—who bears a Republican label but is the least Republican of all of Pennsylvania’s Republican congressional delegation by votes cast—says he dreams of day when political parties don’t exist. I mean, heck, I’m not always a categorical fan of political parties either! But Fitzpatrick, who sits in one of the top-contended congressional seats, knows his ‘non-partisanship’ won’t deter Dems from targeting him again this year. It doesn’t matter how many Democrat votes this Republican casts. The Dems still want him gone from office.
Progressive group wants donations to Fetterman refunded
PennLive reports that the progressive Pennsylvania Working Families Party, which “has already pledged to back a primary opponent against Sen. John Fetterman in 2028 has unveiled a website that aims to help unhappy donors get refunds for their contributions to him.” Basically, it’s little more than an email petition from disgruntled donors—who are unhappy that Fetterman is willing to do things like talk to Trump and stand up for Israel against terrorists—to ask for their money back. Yeah, have fun with that.
Poll: Trump doesn’t get great grades, but …
A new CBS/YouGov poll shows Americans believe President Trump is not doing enough to focus on lowering prices. What’s more, ”Few Americans feel that the president’s policies have made them better off. In fact, more say worse than either the same or better.” But even with this not-so-great news for the president, “the views of Mr. Trump and Republicans’ approaches to the economy and immigration issues nonetheless outpace perceptions of the Democrats’ approach.”