A thread to discuss PA politics?

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

The GOP needs more people like you. But I agree with jtab4994 that it's important for centrist Democrats to remain Democrats in order to keep the Pennsylvania Democratic Party true to this state's moderate temperament. I can tell you that here in Philadelphia, which remains the single most Democratic jurisdiction in the state, more leftist candidates are meeting with success running for city and state legislative seats, and that's a canary in the coal mine.

I'm really more libertarian than GOP by now, but I keep my GOP registration to vote in the primary (I'd guess the Libertarians would probably let anyone vote in their primary if they even have one anyway - that'd be a very libertarian thing to do). The politician I admire most is Justin Amash. He left the GOP over Trump and is trying to expand the influence of the L party in advance of the next Presidential election. I'd implore everyone to follow Amash's twitter account. Even though I'd guess he's right of you on a policy basis, he exudes integrity and really gets it about what's wrong with politics. If Amash runs in 24, I'm all in for him regardless of what party line he's on.

[Penna76]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

I'm really more libertarian than GOP by now, but I keep my GOP registration to vote in the primary (I'd guess the Libertarians would probably let anyone vote in their primary if they even have one anyway - that'd be a very libertarian thing to do). The politician I admire most is Justin Amash. He left the GOP over Trump and is trying to expand the influence of the L party in advance of the next Presidential election. I'd implore everyone to follow Amash's twitter account. Even though I'd guess he's right of you on a policy basis, he exudes integrity and really gets it about what's wrong with politics. If Amash runs in 24, I'm all in for him regardless of what party line he's on.

I looked him up on Twitter. I cannot say I agree with all Libertarian policies. But at least this guy is a man of integrity based on his Twitter. I respect that a lot.

I am a moderate, and I can respect other policy ideas and work to compromise to find workable policy solutions. Especially from individuals who can maintain respect and facts.

If one thing Trump has stained with politics, is political integrity and dignity. It is a shame.

[jazzy jeff]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

I would be on board with Brian Fitzpatrick. He's the only GOP Congressman to win in the Philly suburbs in the last two cycles. I have no idea if he has any intentions to move from the House to the Senate, though.

I am a Never Trump registered Republican. I will be watching closely, though, and oppose anyone in the primary onward who supported Trump's election fraud hoax that led to the violent insurrection at the Capitol last week. Principles matter.

There is a push to draft Fitzpatrick to run for Senate. Heard another local, Martina White was thinking about it, but doubt she would get very far.

[DXBtoFL]

There is no integrity in politics. Those who pretend there is are merely deliberately blind to inconveniences that doesn't fit their narrative. Trump was an egoist who inflamed passions, but so are Democrats and we saw passions aplenty in the 2020 riots and the extreme elements of BLM protests that were ignored or even justified in the name of "civil disobedience." Or the hysteria that accompanied Kavanaugh's hearing with protesters trying to storm government buildings in DC to stop the voting. Or the four year witch hunt over Russian collusions. My. How easily those inconveniences are forgotten and how desperate the spin can be.

For both parties it's one standard for themselves and a different standard for the opposite. The difference may come down to which is slightly more guilty at the moment than the other and what deals with the devil you are willing to make. And that is up to you.

I don't live in Pennsylvania any longer (moved to a firmly blue state) but I daresay the Commonwealth could be subject to wild swings in voting over the next decade as coalitions and demographics shift and people reanalyze the deals with the devil they are willing to make and which is the lesser devil. Long held assumptions and "never never" today could be singing a different tune in just two years.

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by DXBtoFL

There is no integrity in politics. Those who pretend there is are merely deliberately blind to inconveniences that doesn't fit their narrative. Trump was an egoist who inflamed passions, but so are Democrats and we saw passions aplenty in the 2020 riots and the extreme elements of BLM protests that were ignored or even justified in the name of "civil disobedience." Or the hysteria that accompanied Kavanaugh's hearing with protesters trying to storm government buildings in DC to stop the voting. Or the four year witch hunt over Russian collusions. My. How easily those inconveniences are forgotten and how desperate the spin can be.

For both parties it's one standard for themselves and a different standard for the opposite. The difference may come down to which is slightly more guilty at the moment than the other and what deals with the devil you are willing to make. And that is up to you.

I don't live in Pennsylvania any longer (moved to a firmly blue state) but I daresay the Commonwealth could be subject to wild swings in voting over the next decade as coalitions and demographics shift and people reanalyze the deals with the devil they are willing to make and which is the lesser devil. Long held assumptions and "never never" today could be singing a different tune in just two years.

This was not a witch hunt. Anyone who paid attention to the relationship between Trump and certain people in Russia knew that this was not a witch hunt. I think it went way beyond simple money laundering and business deals with Russian oligarchs.