Hi! I'm Bruce Siwy, an investigative journalist for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania state capital bureau. AMA!

Submitted by usatoday t3_yj8eht in Pennsylvania

There's a lot at stake in this year's contentious governor and U.S. Senate races in Pennsylvania. Let's talk about what could change across the commonwealth and at the federal level based on the outcome of the upcoming election. I'm here to answer all your election questions! Here’s where you can catch up on what you need to know before Election Day in PA: https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/24/what-to-know-about-pennsylvania-voting-and-ballot-access-in-2022/69574685007/

PROOF: https://i.redd.it/o6bzynu5e9x91.jpg

EDIT: Time's up, but thank you all for participating -- lots of great questions! It was fun.

69

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

unenlightenedgoblin t1_iumgnmp wrote

Would Mastriano, who has a high-profile history as an election denier, accept an electoral defeat? If not, what would happen?

15

usatoday OP t1_iumm8s0 wrote

That's difficult to answer because Mastriano and his campaign spokesperson haven't directly responded to a call or email from this reporter since his overwhelming victory in the GOP primary.

His running mate, Carrie Lewis DelRosso, gave an interview several weeks ago ( https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/10/whos-running-for-lt-gov-in-pa-and-what-will-they-do/69504591007/ ), but did not answer a follow-up question about this very topic ( https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/12/doug-mastriano-concede-election-governor-race-josh-shapiro-carrie-lewis-delroso/69543833007/ ).

So what would happen if they would lose and not "accept" defeat? Maybe nothing. Mastriano is not an incumbent, so it's not like he could hole up in the governor's mansion and refuse to leave. My guess would be that he and his camp would move to court challenges and/or push for ballot referendums to change voting laws in Pennsylvania. He's supported several such bills already.

20

IamSauerKraut t1_iunw17f wrote

I heard that MastriaNO already has plans to replace Jake Corman in the PA Senate when the new session starts.

1

bitterbeerfaces t1_iupfrla wrote

God I hope not.

1

Fall3n7s t1_iv5a0nq wrote

Why? Corman is just a big of an asshole. This dude represents my district and wasted pa taxpayer money on a stupid witch hunt over “supposed” voter fraud.

1

IamSauerKraut t1_iunvu8z wrote

More importantly, when MastriaNO loses in the final count, will Merrick fn Garland finally instruct his FBI to pursue Mastro for his criminality on January 6?

1

RecallRethuglicans t1_iuqnps2 wrote

Or charge the entire Republican Party under RICO.

1

IamSauerKraut t1_iur05uw wrote

Is RICO appropriate for such a purpose? Why not just charge those who engaged in sedition with sedition?

1

vortical42 t1_iumnw84 wrote

Why has Fetterman not pushed back harder against the negative add campaign being run against him? It feels like the 'Senate Leadership' super PAC has been running a non-stop smear campaign, but I haven't seen any adds from Fetterman debunking or clarifying his actual positions.

13

usatoday OP t1_iump44z wrote

These campaigns hire all kinds of expert consultants. Can't speak for them, but a guess would be that those folks feel the more effective messaging would be to humanize their candidate and demonize his opponent, rather than go on the defensive about his past or previous comments/positions.

18

Dredly t1_iumzys5 wrote

My personal media consumption is likely different then yours, but I see anti-Oz ads almost as often as I see Pro-Fetterman ones. They are running these ads constantly:

"He has 12 houses"

"He got rich from selling bullshit cures and testified in front of congress that its bullshit"

"He is anti-abortion"

​

Most of my media consumption is on YouTube, where every other ad is a political one.

6

vortical42 t1_iun6uw6 wrote

The anti-Oz adds I see are similar. Nothing really surprising there. The problem, at least from my perspective, is that I don't see what value those bring. Anyone with strong partisan views has already decided. The people on the fence have heard the 'Oz is a carpet bagging charlatan' line a thousand times. Unless there is something new, no one is changing their votes because of those adds. They might however, be swayed by an add where Fetterman actually directly refutes some of the claims against him. Hearing his actual views on criminal justice might just win back some moderate voters who were scared off by the 'Fetterman wants to release murderers and rapist ' adds.

8

ChrissyLove13 t1_iun9wu4 wrote

I've seen more ads lately since the debate that are more trying to humanize Fetterman. Which is fine and dandy but as you said he's not addressing his views on criminal justice. All you see is that Fetterman is a people's person. Ok. He takes pride in having been the mayor of Braddock where he still lives. Most people don't know that Braddock has since become a ghost town. People left in droves and unemployment is at an all time high. He is rarely seen except for photo ops. He doesn't frequent the few small businesses that remain. I'm surprised the Oz team hasn't used this in attack ads. As these little details do matter to voters.

4

LinkRunner337 t1_iuorfay wrote

Lol Braddock hasn't been a booming metropolis since 1920. In fact, Braddock had its steepest decline in 2000 when it lost 37% of its population. Under Fetterman the decline has slowed. How are you gonna blame a mayor when the place was declining for 100 years lmao.

1870 1,290 — 1880 3,310 156.6% 1890 8,561 158.6% 1900 15,654 82.9% 1910 19,357 23.7% 1920 20,879 7.9% 1930 19,329 −7.4% 1940 18,326 −5.2% 1950 16,488 −10.0% 1960 12,337 −25.2% 1970 8,795 −28.7% 1980 5,634 −35.9% 1990 4,682 −16.9% 2000 2,912 −37.8% Fetterman 2010 2,159 −25.9% 2020 1,721 −20.3%

Apparently I can't format in reddit. Enjoy

1

RecallRethuglicans t1_iuqnxqu wrote

And let’s not forget that there were no murders there for eight of his thirteen years as mayor. Zero! Even the mayors of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh can’t claim that.

1

ChrissyLove13 t1_iurr12a wrote

Oh my. Are you really comparing Braddock to 2 of the largest cities in the country? This must be satire.

1

RecallRethuglicans t1_iushb26 wrote

I’m comparing a mayor who prevented murders in his town. A mayor is a mayor.

1

RecallRethuglicans t1_iuqnuik wrote

Those aren’t lies though. Oz also kills puppies and drinks his own pee. Those are issues that PA voters care about.

1

Dredly t1_iurp5on wrote

question wasn't related to are they true... just what is running that pushes back on Oz

1

300blakeout t1_iuqdg36 wrote

Did you see the debate? He debunked is own positions. Dudes a clown. So is Oz.

4

mapplejax t1_iumol6s wrote

How do you talk to people with opposing views without things getting heated? Now more than ever has the division in this state and country gotten more tense and hostile.

12

usatoday OP t1_iumsclw wrote

Find common ground. Nearly half of Pa. residents (44%) identify inflation/the economy as their biggest concern. Everyone can agree that the rising cost of necessities like food is a bad thing. So which candidates have the best ideas to combat that? Is anyone proposing tested and proven solutions?

Other topics, such as abortion, drift into the faith category. That's tougher to discuss civilly because moral/religious positions are often taken personally.

20

enemy_of_your_enema t1_iunjmrf wrote

​

I've always found this rather strange, considering so many people simply adopt the religion they were raised with and never really considered doing otherwise. Yet still people will vehemently defend a choice they never really made themselves.

11

300blakeout t1_iuqcvca wrote

This doesn’t just stop at religion. It applies to nearly all beliefs.

1

IamSauerKraut t1_iunv9x7 wrote

>Is anyone proposing tested and proven solutions?

Were there such things, we would never have economic difficulties.

R's are just mouthing the same meaningless stuff.

D's are proposing solutions, ie, stop the price gouging, windfall profits tax, reduce the gas tax, stop exporting our energy resources, etc.

2

AbidingDudeAsWell t1_iup6qio wrote

What bothers me about "the media" reporting on inflation is the lack of reporting on where the US is compared with other countries, and that inflation here is less severe than it is globally. And where are the questions to R candidates who claim Dems support or push raising taxes on lower/middle class - where's the beef? All the Dem proposals/actions I've seen target the wealthy.

1

fusionfarm t1_iumqrmu wrote

You can't fix ignorance. Those people, and reddits full of them along with every other social media platform, have their own viewpoint, their own version of "democracy", and the mentality is if you're not of the right thought you're the worst imaginable opponent.

−2

300blakeout t1_iuqcz16 wrote

On the contrary actually. It’s almost as if you aren’t on these media platforms at all.

2

usatoday OP t1_iumzlyu wrote

Time's up, but thank you all for participating -- lots of great questions! It was fun.

11

CQU617 t1_iun6129 wrote

I am voting for Fetterman and Shapiro because the current GOP is a bunch of right wing clowns.

RIP to the party of Lincoln. Now the party of MAGA Nazis.

11

300blakeout t1_iuqdlyn wrote

Brainwashed if you think the left is where it’s at. We can agree both sides are horrible, but if you think the lunatic left is the better option at this point I do wonder if you have paid attention to the reality of our world lately and who has been pushing what…. Pretty crazy.

Lmao below V… no, FOX news not at all. Just as bad as your echo chamber. Read much?

2

fallowcentury t1_iumex39 wrote

hey thanks for doing this. does the GOP or its proxies have any concrete/recognized plans for the disruption of elections in our state?

10

usatoday OP t1_iumsgxu wrote

Individuals have been filing Right-to-Know requests for several weeks in counties across the commonwealth for cast vote records (CVRs). These are exempt from disclosure, and attempts to appeal this through the commonwealh's Office of Open Records have been unsuccessful. Still, this is widely viewed as a disruptive measure.

A group called Audit the Vote, which has disputed the 2020 results, has also publicly discussed efforts to recruit poll watchers, camp outside of ballot drop boxes and potentially file legal challenges. Whether these discussions go from talk to action, and whether they have any tangible impact on the election, remains to be seen. But it's something we'll be following.

13

IamSauerKraut t1_iunvnvi wrote

I wonder how the counties that did not end up in the OOR docket handled those requests. Did they turn over CVR's?

1

Dredly t1_iumoitg wrote

Oh cool! I have a few questions!!! Hopefully not controversial

​

- Is there anything planned to prevent another candidate from a different state (like Oz) from running in PA in the future? He has no PA residency, is there a plan to address this going forward, or is this likely to just become "the norm" going forward?

​

- What issue do you wish was being discussed more in PA Politics? National Politics? We all know the Abortion / Gun Control / Taxes / Social Services tag lines but there are thousands of other issues out there... what is your "Please someone address this!" topic?

​

- There has been a TON of attacks on the media, and reporters specifically, and a few high profile "Journalists" getting in trouble lately. How do reporters / journalists rebuild the credibility of their industry when the bias and network ownership are so blatantly impacting the content?

​

- With the massive increase in early voting / mail in voting, how does this change the timeline/new cycle around elections? Over 1.2M mail in ballots were requested this year, out of ~8.7M voters (just under 15% of registered voters) a trend unlikely to go down much in the future... how do journalists ensure they are getting important information / debates / interviews etc out ahead of time when votes can be cast much earlier?

9

usatoday OP t1_iumxaxe wrote

Lots going on here ...

No. 1: These disputes happen all the time at all levels. Once covered Johnstown City Council where residency was challenged seemingly every cycle. Can't imagine this issue vanishing overnight.

No. 2: Personally? Monetary policy. Inflation is a backdoor tax that hits everyone on some level by eroding our wages and savings. This directly impacts our quality of life and can lead societies down a dark road. Think hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic.

No. 3: Credible journalism means being an eternal cynic of our political class. We need to report accurately and with tenacity. We also need to make sure we don't shake pom-poms for one party or the other. Network ownership, be it seen as left or right, should not impact the work we do, even if managers take a side on the opinion page.

No. 4: Yes, the increase in early mail-in voting means that the election starts much earlier than before. From a debate standpoint, that's almost irrelevant because the sides are increasingly unwilling to even go toe-to-toe with each other (such as in our gubernatorial race). For us though, it's basically a matter of digging into the candidates and issues much earlier than we had in the past. (And waiting much longer for results as county offices can't begin precanvassing all these mail-ins until the day of the election. But that's a whole other issue.)

4

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iun3pd1 wrote

Bingo on number two. If people can’t pay their bills and see their families, nothing else really matters

1

BluCurry8 t1_iunusi9 wrote

Sorry sweaty but the economy is always an issue in every election. There is always high prices and guess what they never go down, at least in my lifetime. So to worry about high cost of living without looking at lifestyle choices is not going to be solved by any politician, in fact it can and has been made worse by so many. The last tax cut was put on a credit card. At some point we will need to raise taxes or cut spending. The republicans want to cut Medicare and Social Security both funded by our payroll taxes rather than reducing write offs and making the wealthy pay more by raising the capital gains to be commensurate to earned income.

2

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iuofjd1 wrote

There has been a big change in peoples pocketbooks. When there aren’t volatile swings in economic circumstances, people have the luxury to focus on other things. When someone’s looking at retiring and they’ve lost 20% of their money or they have lost jobs due to extensive lockdowns or can no longer afford the same food and gas as they did a year ago because Inflation is the highest it’s been in 40 years, we are talking about major changes in lifestyle for a lot of people. I can say that in my 62 years of life, my economic circumstances have never done such a 180 as they have in the last year. Perhaps you did not experience a dramatic change in lifestyle in the last 2 years. And in ALL previous election cycles, I didn’t either.

You think people are really worried about abortion, trans rights and January 6 but the reality is when you can’t make ends meet, those things just aren’t as important

1

BluCurry8 t1_iuola2b wrote

So you completely ignored the fact that is the battle cry of every election. So voting for your short term circumstances is what puts you in the same position every two years. costs always go up. If you plan your life around gas well you have made your own bed. Corporations are making record profits during this period of inflation and we have record low unemployment. Seeing as the US inflation is lower than any other first world country we are doing pretty good. So keep on crying the sky is falling because of the price of gas. The better answer is don’t live your life pay check to pay check and if you are living your life pay check to pay check take a good look at how you spend your money and start cutting, because you clearly cannot afford your lifestyle. The cost of living always go up. If you thought that you would never have to pay more for things in a time of challenges you were living in a fairy tale to start.

1

[deleted] t1_iupfbp9 wrote

[deleted]

1

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iupjrp5 wrote

That is certainly your prerogative. But speaking as a woman, I can prevent pregnancy. I can’t prevent inflation, the value of my 401(k), job layoffs and lack of medical treatment due to lockdowns - except to vote.

3

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iupjx3d wrote

PS. Temporary or permanent sterilization is not illegal. There’s your control over your uterus

1

[deleted] t1_iupr04r wrote

[deleted]

2

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iuprswc wrote

Lots of women get sterilized in their 20s. I was. But you do you. There are far more important issues to me than this.

1

bitterbeerfaces t1_iuqqzma wrote

Why, for a medical reason? Did you already have children? A single 23-year-old who has no children and no medical reason for a hysterectomy will be very unlikely to find a doctor Will tie their tubes. I was denied an IUD when I was 25 and the doctor told me that I might change my mind about having kids in the next 5 years. Hint I didn't.

1

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iur0v6f wrote

Like I said, you do you. I’m going to vote the way I want and nobody is talking me out of it.

0

bitterbeerfaces t1_iuqr3ic wrote

Do you really think I need you to be forced to continue continue being pregnant against their will? To potentially die while giving birth? To end up in poverty due to unpaid leave from work?

What happens to all of those unwanted children? There are currently 40,000 adoptable kids in the foster care system, and no one wants them.

1

300blakeout t1_iuqda4i wrote

You can’t control your uterus? Who controls it? That’s like saying you can’t control not smoking and you’re forced to put the cigarette in your mouth. You have complete control, your abortion argument is weak. It’s almost as if there’s ways to… not get pregnant?

0

psychcaptain t1_iunemb9 wrote

Number 3 seems like an excuse to not to actually do more than a cursory look at the candidates and their track records. Eternal cynicism is what gave Trump an advantage as the media tried to play both sides as equal, when the reality didn't reflect that.

As a group, the media should reconsider number 3 and the impact it is having on our nations discourse.

1

psychcaptain t1_iumicsk wrote

What is the GOP platform? Have they given any concrete policies for America?

8

prezgirl t1_iumu53j wrote

Lower taxes, encourage small businesses, rule of law.

9

PatientNice t1_iumx322 wrote

That’s pretty funny. Taxes on the rich can’t get any lower and mine aren’t bad considering all the services I get. Meanwhile, the GOP has done nothing for small businesses. They tend to ignore them. And the current GOP cannot even spell ‘law’ unless it means incarcerating people in for profit prisons. I personally have never benefitted from a GOP led government.

8

300blakeout t1_iuqdrj4 wrote

And we’ve benefited from a left led government? Is it a benefit that now everyone is miserable and wondering how the entire nation became a complete circus? Lmao

3

Rosa_Lee_McFall t1_iupdl5a wrote

I wish. The only gop platform I can see is a bunch of cultural mumbo jumbo to cover up their real goal of taking care of the mega rich

4

eviljelloman t1_iumx51e wrote

lol sure - and pet unicorns for people who love jesus enough.

Fuck outta here with these lies.

1

IamSauerKraut t1_iunw5qh wrote

hahahahahahaaaaa

bwahahahahhaaaa...

concrete plans against America, you mean? Like Newt's Contract on America.

2

psychcaptain t1_iumi99o wrote

How do we fight the right wing media slant, championed by Fox News, the Wall Street Journey, and the Sinclair Media Group?

7

usatoday OP t1_iumzcuj wrote

People have confirmation bias and seek to live in their own bubbles. That goes for both media and social media. When Facebook and Twitter shut people out, they found new platforms. The only way to eliminate this entirely would be through overarching censorship, which seems authoritarian in nature.

What you're asking, essentially, is how to change human nature. That's above my pay grade.

15

300blakeout t1_iuqdvzy wrote

Right winged media slant? Lol do you even turn on the tv?

1

shanks16 t1_iumlpna wrote

How do we fight the left wing media slant, championed by CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and ABC?

−4

psychcaptain t1_iumna13 wrote

Firstly, NBC, CNN and ABC are many things, but leftwing they are not. Many NBC and ABC affiliates are actual owned by the Sinclair group, so your local news might actually have a right wing bias.

Secondly, MSNBC doesn't have nearly the viewership of Fox News. Heck, combine CNN (with their new conservative direction) and MSNBC and you still don't reach Fox News in terms of viewership.

And finally, others have noted that the way news information is provided seems to appear Left Learning, no matter the content. Something about the way information is conveyed, without narrative slant, is often confused by consumers of right wing media, as bias. I don't understand it myself. I certainly don't look at reports about Ukraine, and think 'there goes Left Wing Media, painting the Russians as the baddies', but others do.

10

shanks16 t1_iumnyl4 wrote

Hmm, I thought it was a valid question. To keep it from being one sided. Those outlets certainly lean left. By no means am I even trying to defend Fox News but there’s blatant bias towards the left when you watch those networks. I also wonder why there is much more viewership towards Fox News?

2

YeahWrite000 t1_iumorme wrote

They "lean left" because they report on things that are observable in the real world. Unlike right-wing media which is completely off in Litterbox Highschool fantasy land.

3

shanks16 t1_iumpslq wrote

So pointing out the actual levels of inflation, raised crime rates, and decreased GDP are make believe?

5

YeahWrite000 t1_iumrcfy wrote

Raised crime rates?
https://www.bbc.com/news/57581270

I agree that demands coverage (if the kind the right was talking about was happening). What kind of coverage was right-wing media giving to the politically motivated attack of Paul Pelosi?

https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product

And oh look there's an explanation for that GDP thing too.

4

shanks16 t1_iumsg55 wrote

I have no sympathy for the pelosi ‘s they are the prime reason there ought to be term limits.

6

YeahWrite000 t1_iumtgvj wrote

Oh wow. So you're for people breaking into the homes of public officials you personally disagree with and smash their head with a hammer? You really sound like you have your head on straight.

So you're just "posing the question" but you're only demonizing Left wing media and you "have no sympathy for the pelosi's". Doesn't sound like you're in the middle of the aisle bud.

3

shanks16 t1_iumubbx wrote

Ha- look at Brett Kavanaugh. Oh look it’s crime related.

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumujpr wrote

Oh did his wife get brutally assaulted and then the left made fun of them?

2

shanks16 t1_iumv5lg wrote

You must have a short term memory, see you next week when the Commonwealth gets back on the right track. You can thank Dems for running everything into the ground to have to be at this point. Easy decision.

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumvrze wrote

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/08/kavanaugh-threat-arrest-justice/

Don't see any mention of a hammer attack.

Are you saying that Oz and Mastriano is "getting the commonwealth back on track"? And you claimed to not subscribe to either side? You need to take a look in the mirror brother. You might be a right wing fucknut and not even realize it.

3

shanks16 t1_iumw4y5 wrote

Haha! Leaving the Democratic Party was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.

2

YeahWrite000 t1_iumwabo wrote

Don't worry, they wouldn't want you.

Just stop pretending to be above it all, when in reality you're a partisan shitskull.

2

shanks16 t1_iumwhvn wrote

The party of acceptance lmao! You got this mad over a question from the opposite view. Love it

1

psychcaptain t1_iumut7i wrote

Because people shouldn't be allowed to vote for who they like, your alternative is to try to murder them?

2

shanks16 t1_iumv2ko wrote

Haha. If it was trump this sub would be eating popcorn.

1

axeville t1_iun15nf wrote

I think any 82 year old fighting off a hammer attack is deserving of empathy no matter how they vote or how much money they had.

That's why the Irish never attacked the queen.

2

shanks16 t1_iums3kv wrote

Where do you live? My 401k has taken a massive blow as have all my co-workers. As for the crime I want to live where you do because it’s certainly increased. Even nationwide. Look at San Francisco and all the other major cities across the US.

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumsghp wrote

I live in PA...hence the subreddit. Oh wow, are you saying crime is increasing in every major city? That almost sounds exactly like a right wing talking point.

3

shanks16 t1_iumsmtl wrote

Ha, ok go down to Kensington. Let me know. This state has gone downhill the last 2 years.

4

YeahWrite000 t1_iumt131 wrote

Oh okay. So if I go to a specific location there's crime? Like there always has been, always will be? But all statistics show a drop in crime overall? You're teaching me all kindsa things man.

2

shanks16 t1_iumthc1 wrote

You may the only person who thinks crime is decreasing. Go all over the state I would bet my paycheck crime is up. I’m sure BBC has been all over PA to investigate that.Thankfully, this sub when it comes to politics, doesn’t reflect common sense. If you can’t acknowledge that media is biased both ways then I feel sorry for you.

2

YeahWrite000 t1_iumtp9a wrote

Can you show me a statistic that supports your argument?

2

shanks16 t1_iumu3i4 wrote

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox43.com/amp/article/news/crime/harrisburg-homicide-numbers-statistics-2022/521-0c1a2fc3-02bf-4ebd-95bd-3228c8e379d6

Here is local news, from April.

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumug23 wrote

cRiMe is On tHe RiSe eVeRYwheRe!!! (Proceeds to send an article about a single weekend in a single city)

Really compelling stuff bud. Also from Fox. You're playing into their sensationalism now.

2

psychcaptain t1_iumunvh wrote

Crime seem down where I live.

2

YeahWrite000 t1_iumy775 wrote

Our friend u/shanks16 probably won't be joining this discussion again. He can't cope with opposite viewpoints.

1

shanks16 t1_iumyfvc wrote

Usually I’m here every week! Sorry you’re upset, See you soon

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumyqj8 wrote

Well speak of the devil and he shall appear. Gonna continue your downward spiral into Trumpworld-dumbfuckery?

1

shanks16 t1_iumzbi5 wrote

It’s amazing how shook people get when someone has an opposing view 🫡

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumzl48 wrote

I know man. Did you see on January 6th when all those whiney insurrectionists were told that Biden won the election? They got soooooooo shook at that opposing viewpoint.

1

shanks16 t1_iumzvs8 wrote

Ya like when Fetterman embarrassed himself trying to debate or covering up the hunter Biden laptop! Had CNN into a full out panic!

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iun0rud wrote

You're a genius man. You managed to discern that a career conman who'd made countless appearances on Oprah can carry himself on television better than a man who is still recovering from a stroke. That takes some real insight.

Hunter's laptop could have all the child-porn in the world on it. And receipts for every crime under the sun. Fucking prosecute him. I don't give a shit about Hunter Biden and no one on the left does either. He wasn't hired by his father to work in the White House like some other vapid children I could mention.

1

shanks16 t1_iun06il wrote

Gotta get to work! Talk soon!

1

YeahWrite000 t1_iun1pf3 wrote

Go build that 401k back up man. Maybe one day you'll work yourself up to a tax bracket that the GOP actually gives a shit about.

1

shanks16 t1_iuoqlxc wrote

Definitely brother, whatever I can do to keep you playing dungeons and dragons in your basement.

2

YeahWrite000 t1_iuoqy7w wrote

Think you meant to say "your mother's basement". You'll get em next time.

1

shanks16 t1_iuotwck wrote

Wanted to give you the benefit of doubt that you maybe have your own place but still don’t have your life together. Can’t imagine you actually do though.

0

YeahWrite000 t1_iuou76h wrote

Nah, I actually do. You all just say the same shit over and over and over again. Its like you're following a script. And mentioning "nerd shit" and "mom's basement" tend to get repeated a looot. Usually means you don't don't have any actual point to argue.

1

RecallRethuglicans t1_iuqnzzw wrote

Yes. People don’t care about that. They care that Oz is a puppy killing pee drinker.

2

[deleted] t1_iumph7e wrote

[deleted]

0

YeahWrite000 t1_iumpqj0 wrote

I mean this genuinely with no hint of insult or derision. I am genuinely curious: What would you put forward as the most trust-worthy right-leaning media source?

1

shanks16 t1_iumr37a wrote

I personally believe news on TV is for pure entertainment, to make money, and divide. This. Applies to both left and right networks. There isn’t anything on TV that’s straight down the middle. I don’t think you have any honest media anymore.

I wanted to pose the question because it’s not one sided.

0

YeahWrite000 t1_iumrqqw wrote

Media Sensationalism is a problem for sure. But even if you don't trust any media sources, you need to be able to rely the evidence your own eyes and ears tell you, and Fox, OAN, Newsmax and the like have taken to trying to gaslight the nation. Is "left leaning" media perfect? Not at all, but they tend to acknowledge that reality exists more often than their Republican counterparts.

2

shanks16 t1_iumsbob wrote

I see the left news networks gas light just as much. I pose the question because it’s a two way street. Whether people in this sub want to Accept it or not.

−1

YeahWrite000 t1_iumsv2l wrote

Really? Just as much? Wow, I didn't know MSNBC was reporting that Bernie won the presidency and will be reinstated any day now.

Oh wait no, that's the Right and Trump isn't it?

3

eviljelloman t1_iumxepn wrote

If you're a fucking moron arguing in bad faith with provably false bullshit you get downvoted.

1

Redlar t1_iumto5s wrote

>Hmm, I thought it was a valid question.

Then ask it directly to the OP, don't ask it in the comments where it can get buried.

3

psychcaptain t1_iumo2q6 wrote

I assume because Left Learning people read news papers.

2

jshrdd_ t1_iumppqf wrote

These are all corporate media companies owned by capitalists who all dont care about the working class people of this country, other then to divide and conquer them.

They aren't left, except maybe a smidge in relation to fox, but I wouldn't even consider fox a reliable news source.

All the news anchors you see on these "news" channels are very wealthy, regardless of the slight political differences. Look up how much they make a year, who their family is because especially in show business these days you don't get famous without coming from the robber barons of yesterday.

4

PatientNice t1_iumxgck wrote

Follow the money. The media is owned by the 1%. So whatever they are showing plays some role to their overall benefit.

1

CertifiableNormie t1_iumizgw wrote

Have you heard of anyone staking out ballot boxes here or voting centers in the near future like in Arizona? Do you think there is potential for that to happen here?

7

usatoday OP t1_iumob13 wrote

A group called Audit the Vote, which has disputed the 2020 results, has publicly discussed efforts to recruit poll watchers, camp outside of ballot drop boxes and potentially file legal challenges. Whether these discussions go from talk to action, and whether they have any tangible impact on the election, remains to be seen. But it's something we'll be following.

17

IamSauerKraut t1_iunumol wrote

I thought Audit the Vote was a North Carolina based outfit? ProPublica has a recent article about their shenanigans in Surry County.

1

SamShephardsMustache t1_iuml2em wrote

Lebanon County had uni's at the drop-off in 2020

3

IamSauerKraut t1_iunurdf wrote

I personally saw the uni's watching that box in the back of the County Courthouse while folks would come up with multiple ballots to put in the box. Not one peep.

1

Wudaokau t1_iumirmw wrote

There’s no saving this state from a Republican legislature…ever?

5

usatoday OP t1_iumq03j wrote

Recent redistricting has generally been viewed as favorable to Democrats. Between that and abortion, which has galvanized many voters, this could be the year that they make some in-roads.

But Biden's unpopularity in the White House could negate that. Approximately 53% of Pennsylvanian's polled this fall are unhappy with the job he's doing. We'll see soon enough whether voters take this out on local legislative candidates. (And it's not like Trump is overwhelmingly popular here, either.)

10

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumelko wrote

Hey there! Curious what your thoughts are on the senate race. I think Fetterman still has the edge for a number of reasons, but your input would be awesome!

4

usatoday OP t1_iummc8d wrote

Fetterman opened the summer with all the momentum. He won his primary handily. The Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade became a boon for Democrats overall. And Oz was still dusting himself off from a race so close it required a recount.

Fetterman seemed to appeal to voters as the more authentic candidate in contrast to the television doctor. Oz, however, has run a savvy campaign as evidenced by polls shifting toward him.

After touting the Trump endorsement to get through the primary, he's pitched himself as more of a centrist. He talks often of bringing "balance" to Washington, D.C. And his efforts to make crime a campaign issue and attack Fetterman's authenticity seem to be paying off. (Fetterman's unfavorability has rose from 27% to 44% from June to September. That's still lower than Oz's [51%], but it is a remarkable shift: https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/04/usa-today-suffolk-poll-in-pa-josh-shapiro-john-fetterman-still-in-the-lead-mastriano-doctor-oz/69530122007/ )

Though undecideds may be tilting toward Oz after Fetterman's difficulties in the debate, the Democrat could be helped by early mail-in voting if this outcome is a razor-thin margin.

The Cook Political Report moved this race from "Lean Dem" to "Toss Up" for a reason. Don't be surprised if it's too close to call election night.

11

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iump629 wrote

Do you think some of that extra Oz support is just coming from disgruntled primary voters falling in line? I agree though, it looks like it’s going to be a close one. I imagine Shapiro’s coattails should help as well.

2

usatoday OP t1_iumxoqz wrote

To some extent, yes. Republicans seemed wary of Oz after the heated primary. Many are probably begrudgingly coming back "home" now that Election Day is near.

3

Sweaty-Foot7952 t1_iun4sfz wrote

Do you think fetterman has been transparent with his health issues?

1

Zmoser1794 t1_iumfemn wrote

Why does it always boil down to a 2 party system? Why are we always stuck with a turd and a shit sandwhich

3

usatoday OP t1_iumkul1 wrote

Love the partial "South Park" reference.

The major parties do a good job of painting each other as so terrible, evil or odorous that a lot of voters would feel guilty "wasting" their vote on a candidate who appears to have no legitimate shot at winning. This is why some people advocate for ranked choice voting and independent primaries. The newly founded Keystone Party of Pennsylvania has been a vocal proponent of both.

That said, here are the third-party candidates in the big races this year: Libertarian Matt Hackenburg, Green Party nominee Christina DiGuilio and Keystone Party nominee Joe Soloski in the gubernatorial contest, and Libertarian Erik Chase Gerhardt, Daniel Wassmer of the Keystone Party and Richard Weiss of the Green Party in the Senate race.

11

Drewcifer81 t1_iumn8bh wrote

>Keystone Party nominee Joe Soloski

Is there any difference between the Keystone Party and the Libertarian Party, given that Soloski has run as a Libertarian numerous times before?

5

Moxy79 t1_iun0w58 wrote

The Keystone Party has heavy Libertarian leanings but rely on Government intervention for healthcare economics etc where Libertarians want government out of everything. TBH as a lifetime Libertarian I've kind of found that most Libertarians align more with Keystones way of thinking than the hard "Anarchy NOW!" stereotype that people think we are. Unfortunately like with all Partys the fringe seems to get the headlines. Here is their platform https://www.keystone.party/

4

eviljelloman t1_iumj6hl wrote

BoTh SiDeS. Get out of here with this bullshit. The two are not even remotely comparable in badness.

2

Zmoser1794 t1_iumtisy wrote

Ohh jeezzz I pushed your buttons huh bud. Grab some milk and sit down child.

5

300blakeout t1_iuqe1uc wrote

You’re right, the left side has completely lost its marbles. Total circus…

2

psychcaptain t1_iumv5uy wrote

It funny. It's never 'Here is why I disagree with the Democratic Party and why the GOP is better' it's always 'GOP can't be evil by itself, it must be both sides'.

You have to wonder if the Citizens of Germany in the 1930s had to deal with this as well.

−1

Zmoser1794 t1_iun0i4q wrote

That is the second time I've gotten the answer that the Nazis happened and that's why we don't have more than 2 parties lol. I just don't see why if people don't like the republican candidate and they are republican and they don't like the democratic candidate and they are democrats that they can't all rally on a 3rd party to even the playing field. Then I get the answer well it will just split the vote so the other side will always win, which happened once in US history that I'm aware of and it was never tried again.

1

fusionfarm t1_iumq7im wrote

Because it's political theater, both sides allow it to happen to increase hate in their votor bases to distract them from the whole picture while making them bicker over a bunch of petty bs.

2

Zmoser1794 t1_iumtmrc wrote

Facts, that's why I never understood why we continue to keep the charade going.

4

eviljelloman t1_iumjb1k wrote

On a scale of 1 to 10, how fucked are we?

3

fusionfarm t1_iumpsvr wrote

Considering how the left call trump the literal nazi war machine, although not actually one in the least, probably a 1. Most people won't even know anything has changed.

−3

curatedaccount t1_iumkteu wrote

With these two main candidates being generally disliked by their voters, and many admitting they're only voting for their guy as a lesser of two evils to keep the other guy out of office; Why do you suppose independent and alternative party candidates aren't seeing more attention this year?

2

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumpdiy wrote

It seems like way more people who hate their candidate are voting Oz. I’m voting for Fetterman and love the dude. People supporting Fetterman like him as a person, people voting for Oz just want to vote R

8

curatedaccount t1_iumptlj wrote

Okay WordWordNumber. Your totally grassroots opinion has been noted, but it doesn't jive with anything I'm seeing on the ground.

−2

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumq7vl wrote

Lmao my username is a video game character, and I live in PA, unlike Mehmet. I see way more Fetterman houses than I do Oz houses in the Lehigh valley/bucks area. I dunno why people would put out signs for a guy they don’t “really” support, but you commented and I’m responding. Alternative candidates would have a shot if ranked choice voting was a thing, but in the current system, you really are just throwing away your vote

5

curatedaccount t1_iumr4xx wrote

> People supporting Fetterman like him as a person, people voting for Oz just want to vote R

...

>I dunno why people would put out signs for a guy they don’t “really” support, but you commented and I’m responding

These both you?

2

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumrh15 wrote

??? Do you think that’s some kinda gotcha? Oz has a higher disapproval rating than Fetterman. People with Fetterman signs are much more likely to like the guy. People with Oz signs are weird, and there probably are some people that actually like him, god knows why. Less people like Oz

2

curatedaccount t1_iumruzi wrote

>I dunno why people would put out signs for a guy they don’t “really” support, but you commented and I’m responding

...

>People with Oz signs are weird

Glad you figured it out.

I think people with Fetterman signs are weird.

1

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iums41w wrote

If people supporting a candidate who actually lives in PA is weird, I don’t wanna be normal

1

curatedaccount t1_iums7my wrote

>People with Oz signs are weird

...

>I don’t wanna be normal

The mixed messages never end with you.

1

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumsdto wrote

Well, I’m real, despite you thinking otherwise. Have fun voting for the diet pill guy from NJ!

2

curatedaccount t1_iumsu8y wrote

Lol, I ain't voting for either of these tools.

That mess is up to you partisan ideologues to hash out.

1

Pyramid_Head182 t1_iumsyk0 wrote

I mean I’ll take a vote for no one over the Oz vote, much appreciated

2

usatoday OP t1_iumtau5 wrote

A lot of people seem more motivated to vote "against" a person, policy or party than they are motivated to vote "for" a person, policy or party. So the choice becomes binary. They may think, "Why waste a vote on Candidate C when I know it's going to be Candidate A or B who wins ... and I can't tolerate what Candidate A stands for."

4

IamSauerKraut t1_iunuclj wrote

Why did USATodayNetwork destroy our local newspapers?

2

jesterwords t1_iunay59 wrote

The tax code has been changed twice during my lifetime. Once back during the Reagan era and then again during the Trump era.

If economic policy is so important to you, why do you think so little time is spent discussing this boring topic?

Seriously, the fact that the Heritage Foundation basically wrote the last tax code to benefit the top 1%, why is this not covered more in the media? Is it that only 7 companies own like 95% of the media outlets?

If people want a better country, they'd be better off understanding how the tax code affects everything in their lives. Ignorance is bliss... it's the migrants fault Joe the Plumber can't afford a house.

1

VballHerk t1_iums2ws wrote

...did you go to CV about 20 years ago??

0

sauerakt t1_iumomab wrote

How can you justify voting or controlling others against their will as moral?

−1

usatoday OP t1_iumubun wrote

What is the alternative under our existing system of government? Opting out by not voting at all, but "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." (Unapologetic Rush lyric reference.)

7

sauerakt t1_iun3yaf wrote

I will choose FREE WILL. For all, always. That is the only morally correct choice. No government can accomplish that. Active education and a raising in consciousness of as many people as possible (ourselves first and foremost) to a point where we also understand that and say "No" to all forms of control is the great work we all need to be doing. So in that, you have my answer. Refuse all forms of external control/authority/government.

−1

SeaPoem717 t1_iun7f3n wrote

What’s your opinion on Fetterman holding an innocent black man at gunpoint?

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/john-fetterman-black-jogger-2013-shotgun-20220425.html?outputType=amp

−2

jesterwords t1_iunb4tv wrote

What is your opinion about it being over 9 years ago and Fetterman won a state wide election 5 years after it?

3

SeaPoem717 t1_iunkit4 wrote

My opinion is that if I did the same thing I would go to jail and I would deserve it

−1

[deleted] t1_iunkmx4 wrote

You ever chatted with that potato fatterman?

−5