News & Brews November 12, 2026
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The ‘machine’ that won the election
An interesting revelation is making the rounds. On CNN last week, former Obama official Van Jones “explained how the Democrats won the 2026 midterms. Not on vibes. Not on superior candidates. On a coordinated online operation called the American Accountability Network. Tens of thousands of ‘online humans, not bots,’ in Jones’s own words, working in concert to push one relentless message: everything is unaffordable and it is the Republicans’ fault.” And Jones added, “The Republicans never figured out what we were doing.”
What’s more, this network is here to stay. “The American Accountability Network describes itself as a consortium of advocates, content creators, organizers and influencers, built to shape political narratives and reach the public at scale and mobilize people. Its partners read like a progressive who’s-who: the DNC, the DCCC, the DSCC, MoveOn, the Center for American Progress, the SEIU, the AFL-CIO, the Human Rights Campaign and many more…. This is not a scrappy group chat. It is a machine.”
Pa. Dems plan tax hikes
We knew it would happen if Democrats gained a trifecta. They haven’t even taken office yet but are already plotting tax hikes. Bloomberg Government reports that among Pennsylvania Democrat lawmakers’ top priorities are repealing the uniformity clause in our state constitution requiring that income taxes be flat—so they can impose tax increases via a progressive tax—adding a tax on digital advertising, and imposing combined reporting. And guess what? These three are only the start of the tax hikes Democrats want. And with a Democrat trifecta, there’s no longer any GOP Senate firewall to block them.
‘Dems’ 2028 auditions begin’
Axios reports, “A who’s who of Democratic power players descends on Denver this week to plot the party’s future, fresh off its sweeping midterm victories.” The “What’s Next” conference starts today and describes itself as “the major post-election gathering of the Democratic Party, where the leaders, ideas, and debates that will shape the party through 2028 and beyond take center stage.”Attendees include House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro, and multiple Colorado politicians. The event comes as Denver is a finalist to host the 2028 Democrat National Convention, along with Boston and Philadelphia.
Pa. tax credit offers national model for kids
The 74Million reports on how Pennsylvania’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program offers a national model for how such programs can be used to benefit children. “There are clear differences between the state’s model and the upcoming Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which starts Jan. 1. Under the federal program, for example, donations will only fund student scholarships, not staff positions. School choice advocates largely pushed for the federal program to give students more access to private schools, but the Treasury Department, which will run it, has confirmed that students in public school are also eligible. Pennsylvania could offer an example of how such programs fill gaps between what districts provide and the extra support some students need to stay on track.”
Another Pa. Dem eyes Fetterman
Democrats have it in for Sen. John Fetterman. That’s no secret. Democrat U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio is eying his seat. Another progressive candidate has already announced against him. And this week, Democrat U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean said she’s “considering” a primary challenge to Fetterman.
