Staff Reports
Kamala Harris has decided that the presidential race could use a little more chaos by diving into the fray. While the Vice President might think she’s giving Biden a run for his money, some polls are showing she might be stepping on his toes instead. Her presence has stirred the potential voter landscape, especially in Pennsylvania, where the battle for both state and federal office is heating up like a summer barbecue, and the Democrats seem a little too relaxed with their hotdogs grilling in a fire pit of controversy.
In the keystone state, voters are going to have a choice that could be monumental. Senator Bob Casey, a relic seeking a fourth six-year term—is time really on his side?—is now facing a credible challenge from Dave McCormick, a businessman with a background that includes serving in the U.S. Treasury. Recent polling reveals a tie, with both men pulling in 46% among likely voters. Sounds like Uncle Joe should be a bit worried because if Casey can’t easily dispatch a challenger in this economic climate, the blue wave might just be a little ripple.
#New Senate Poll – Pennsylvania
🔴 McCormick – 46%
🔵 Casey (Inc) – 46%SSRS #B – 789 LV – 8/29
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) September 4, 2024
The stakes for control of the U.S. Senate couldn’t be higher, and Pennsylvania is shaping up to be the battleground that could tip the scales. Voter concerns center around the economy—shocking, right?—but they also find themselves eyeing issues like immigration and healthcare. A recent survey even found Harris and Trump neck and neck in the state, with a mere sliver of undecided voters. As far as third-party candidates go, good luck with that—you might as well bet on unicorns. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is sidelined after his lackluster campaign, having thrown his support behind Trump. Maybe he realized there’s just not enough room for the center-left shenanigans in a world so overtly defined by red and blue.
McCormick has been smart to shine a spotlight on the migrant situation in Philadelphia, making Casey’s cozy incumbency feel increasingly vulnerable. His latest ad campaign is fittingly somber, showcasing a father’s devastating story of fentanyl loss, which emphasizes the unfortunate reality that the current administration’s border policies are costing lives. A hefty $2.2 million ad buy could bring McCormick’s lack of name recognition up to speed while painting Casey as an enabler of chaos rather than a leader.
In a desperate attempt to deflect, Casey’s team hurled some countercharges back at McCormick. If buddies with law enforcement and championing bipartisan initiatives were all it took to sway voters, one might expect Casey to have a much higher approval rating. But those delicious stats about his partnership with law enforcement can’t hide the truth of the dire situation on the border, which McCormick has brought to the forefront. As the political landscape in Pennsylvania vibrates with tension, voters are certainly ready to make their voices heard. After all, who really wants to vote for the status quo when the alternative sounds like a much wilder ride?
