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Blue Pennsylvania: Sunday Crumby Sunday

It seems somewhat surprising that Trump’s remarks about refugees eating people’s pets has garnered the attention that it has.  MAGA Republicans, after all, believe Democrats prefer children to pepperoni on their pizzas.  One of the more interesting aspects of the debate, however, is how Trump’s art of dishonesty has evolved.  When asked about his admission that he “lost by a whisker” to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Trump replied “I did that sarcastically.”  Trump’s lying about lying now provides the perfect rationale for his followers to create their own worlds of fantasy.


Which brings us to the circular that has appeared in many mailboxes this past week.  The circular informs us that “PENNSYLVANIA HAS TWO CHOICES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL… DAVE SUNDAY, WHO IS ENDORSED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND EUGENE DEPASQUALE ENDOSED BY DEFUND THE POLICE GROUPS.” The flyer enumerates Sunday’s “law enforcement” endorsements: the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, the Pennsylvania State Troopers, and the Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedic Union IAFF Local 22 (a strange item to classify as “law enforcement”).


The flyer, however, does not mention that DePasquale’s law enforcement endorsements include the PA State Corrections Officers, the Teamsters Law Enforcement League, and just for good measure, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.  He has also been endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Conservation Voters of PA, and the Giffords Law Center, to name a few. Nor did the flyer mention that Sunday has been endorsed by the Gun Owners of America, an organization that bills itself to the right of the NRA with regard to firearm regulation. The circular informs us that Sunday has prosecuted criminals whereas DePasquale has never prosecuted a case. 


That is true, but Attorneys General rarely perform prosecutorial functions.  Josh Shapiro was considered a very successful Attorney General in the eyes of many Pennsylvania voters, and he had no prosecutorial experience before taking office.


Finally, the circular contains several references to Philly Neighborhood Networks (PNN), linking the organization to the “Defund the Police” movement.  The URL provided on the mailing has no mention about defunding the police.  Just one more example of MAGA disinformation.

 

The circular was sent by the Commonwealth Leaders Fund (CLF).  In the coming weeks, the CLF is expected to spend an additional $6 million on television ad buys.  CLF receives most of its funding from the Commonwealth Children’s Choice Fund (CCCF) while the CCCF’s budget depends upon the Students First PAC (SFC) for its income.  The only contributor to the Students First PAC is Pennsylvania’s richest man, Jeffrey Yass, who has donated $19,000,000.00 to its operation.


Jeffrey Yass has generally been concerned about transforming K-12 education in the state from a public model to one that is dominated by companies and churches.  One possible reason for Yass’s interest in the Attorney General position is his antipathy toward DePasquale, who, as Pennsylvania’s Auditor General, declared that “Our charter school law is simply the worst charter school law in the United States.


”The Attorney General position, however, in this election year, in a swing state like Pennsylvania, could have monumental consequences.  Fifteen lawsuits were filed against Pennsylvania with regard to the 2020 election.  Attorney General Josh Shapiro successfully defended the Commonwealth in these cases.  Eugene DePasquale’s website clearly tells us that he “will defend every Pennsylvanian’s right to vote, make sure your vote is counted accurately and fairly, and fight attempts at voter suppression.”  Dave Sunday’s website is mum on election integrity and most other issues. 


Which candidate are you comfortable in trusting the destiny of your vote to? If your answer is Eugene DePasquale, here are ways to volunteer and to donate to his campaign. And below are some other ways you can help candidates in the state. 


Canvass: Saturday, September 21 Canvassers will be campaigning for Brian Munroe and Ashley Ehasz.  Brian narrowly flipped the district two years ago.  He has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Conservation Voters, and Pennsylvania’s AFL-CIO.  The canvass starts at 10am.  There is a carpool that leaves from High Point Allen Lane at 9am.  You can sign up here.


Phone Bank: Phone bank for Anna Payne in the comfort of your own home next Wednesday, September 18, from 5 – 6:30pm. Anna has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, the Transport Workers Union, and Planned Parenthood.  You can sign up here.


Contributions: Below are candidates in the various campaigns for state and federal office who are worth a good monetary investment.

Thanks, Coleman

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