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🎤 Today at the RNC. The Pennsylvania Delegation will hear from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, Senate candidate Dave McCormick, and state Reps. Bryan Cutler and Josh Kail. Today’s theme is “Make America Great Once Again.”

👂 What We’re Hearing. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is really right on the front lines of this,” said Michael Kenney, chair of International Security Studies at the University of Pittsburgh and scholar of violent extremism. “We are right in the middle of it.”

🗞️ Today’s Headlines From The Swing State >> Your Inbox. Where can you find all the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 AM. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and subscribe now.

Top Story

1. Poll: 2/3 of Democrats Want Biden To Step Aside

“Reminds one of the famous lines from the show Mad Men – “Not great, Bob.”

A survey of 1,253 adults nationwide conducted by AP-NORC reveals that 7 in 10 adults, including nearly two-thirds of Democrats surveyed (65%), believe that President Joe Biden should withdraw as the Democratic candidate and allow his party to select a different nominee.

The poll, which was in the field from July 11-15, also showed that Republicans (73%) are not the only group that think that the former senator from Delaware should slide to the side. Independents – the most favored political group – topped the chart with 77% of those not affiliated with a major party saying that Biden should not be at the top of the ticket.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Pelosi Told Biden: You’re Dragging Down Democrats. “Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told President Joe Biden last week that she and other Democratic lawmakers worry that he’s dragging down the party, in an extraordinarily candid confrontation that came amid mounting pressure on Biden to end his reelection campaign.” (POLITICO)

These 4 Democrats Outpace Biden by 5 Points Against Trump in Key States: Memo. “Four prominent Democrats, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, would perform significantly better than President Biden in key swing states if they replaced him as the party’s presumptive nominee, according to a memo from a Democratic-funded polling group.” (The Hill)

Vance Introduces Himself As Donald Trump’s Running Mate And Makes Direct Appeal To His Native Rust Belt. “JD Vance used his Wednesday night address to the RNC to share the story of his hardscrabble upbringing and make the case that his party best understands the challenges facing struggling Americans.” (AP)

• JD Vance Eases the GOP Into His ‘America First’ Vision. (Semafor)

There’s a Summer Surge in COVID Cases; Even President Biden Has It. “COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the country, including in the Lehigh Valley. Multiple news organizations reported Wednesday night that the White House said President Joe Biden tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday and is experiencing mild symptoms.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

State

2. ‘A Big Deal’: Scoring $500M in Federal Aid to Replace the I-83/South Bridge

“The 125,000 motorists who cross the I-83/South Bridge daily in Harrisburg will likely be traveling across a new bridge before the end of this decade.

With the awarding of a $500 million federal grant announced on Wednesday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, it will go toward covering the $1.2 billion replacement cost for the region’s busiest bridge.” (PennLive)

Related

Feds Send $500M to PA For I-83 South Bridge Replacement. “It’s a big deal for everyone traveling from the West Shore to the other side of the Susquehanna River.” (PoliticsPA)

Here’s Why a Pennsylvania Trump Ally and a Trump Skeptic Are Absent From the RNC. “Reps. Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick are absent from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee for official business reasons.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Big PAC Donors, Personal Funds Put McCormick Near Casey on Senate Spending. “Thanks to his personal checkbook and some large donations to his affiliated super PAC, Dave McCormick has been able to match Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey dollar for dollar in the race that could determine which party controls the upper chamber come January.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Q2 Congressional Fundraising Numbers. “Here are the second quarter fundraising totals reported to the FEC as of July 15.” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. ‘Of All The Places’: Deep Red Butler Grapples With Trump Assassination Attempt

“On the streets of Butler, Pennsylvania, in the wake of Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the same four words have been spoken again and again: “Of all the places.”

Butler, home to some 13,000 people, and the county whose grand courthouse graces its square are named for a Revolutionary War general. American flags wave along its main drag alongside black-and-white photos of local heroes who died in other wars fought in the name of democracy. The first jeep was produced here in 1940 at the request of the U.S. Army.

It’s rural. It’s neighborly. And it’s Trump country.” (AP)

Related

Trump Assassination Attempt Reignites Concerns About Western Pennsylvania’s History of Violent Extremism. “The attempted assassination of Donald Trump by a 20-year-old from Bethel Park prompted a rare warning by the country’s top two domestic security authorities and reinforced fears that this region remains a hotbed of violent domestic extremism.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Butler Township Official Describes How Small-Town Cops Tried To Thwart Trump Shooter. “As a House committee took steps Wednesday to grill the Secret Service director about her beleaguered agency’s actions surrounding the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, a local official in Butler County described how two small-town police officers tried unsuccessfully to thwart the gunman.” (Tribune-Review)

State University Board of Governors Vote to Freeze Tuition For Pennsylvania Residents. “The vote to keep tuition frozen for the seventh consecutive year follows the passage of the state budget last week with a 6% increase in funding for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). That represents $35.1 million in new money for the universities.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Here’s How The New Happy Hour Law Will Help PA Bars, Restaurants. “Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill on Monday that amends the Liquor Code and bumps up the number of hours licensed establishments in the state can host happy hours from 14 to 24 hours a week. It also allows establishments to advertise discounted meal combos with adult drinks.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Trump Was Right, It’s Time to Fight. (Helen Ubiñas)
• Josh Shapiro ‘Met the Moment’ After Trump Shooting. (Salena Zito)
• Turning Point: It’s Trump’s Party, and How He Handles It Will Determine America’s Future. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Even After Trump Assassination Attempt, We’re Still Sleepwalking Toward the Tripwire. (Brandon McGinley)
• For Biden and Trump, Everything Has Changed. (David Shribman)
• The Political System is Blinking Red. (David Winston)
• Trump Assassination Attempt Leaves Biden With Just 1 Viable Political Option. (Jonah Goldberg)
• Gov. Shapiro’s Economic Development Plan Will Help Cities Throughout Pennsylvania. (Mayors Danene Sorace, Paige Cognetti, Derek Slaughter, J. William Reynolds, Salvatore J. Panto Jr., and Matthew Tuerk)
• The Land of Missed Opportunities. (Carl Marrara)
• The Media Covered for Biden Like They Covered for Fetterman. (Barney Keller)

1 Thing

5. Streaming Usage Hits New U.S. Record

“Americans spent 40.3% of their TV viewing time in June on streaming services, a record high, according to Nielsen.

Why it matters: The growth was driven by younger viewers (ages 2-17), who had more time to watch TV last month after the school year concluded.

Those viewers drove a 6% uptick in streaming and a 2.1% uptick in overall TV consumption compared to the month prior. Viewership between children ages 2-11 increased 16% between May and June.” (Axios)

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