Josh Shapiro, Doug Mastriano race for Pa. governor puts partisan divide in clear view

[FakeNoose]

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2022/08/14/doug-mastriano-josh-shapiro-pennsylvania-governor-campaign-race-election-messaging/stories/202208140061

Circling the state just three months before the November election, Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Doug Mastriano — gubernatorial contenders hoping to take over for Gov. Tom Wolf — agree on one thing:

The stakes are higher than ever, and they — not their opponent — can meet this crucial moment in Pennsylvania’s history.

Mr. Shapiro, the sitting attorney general, has used the stakes as a sledgehammer. He’s been repeatedly labeling Mr. Mastriano an extremist and telling voters that his opponent needs to be stopped.

Cognizant of the fact that Republicans are on the verge of complete legislative and executive control in Harrisburg, the Democrat has framed his own candidacy as a work-across-the-aisle antidote to chaos and division — an effort that will benefit Pennsylvanians who are struggling economically.

Mr. Mastriano, a state senator whose district is centered in Adams County, has rolled through southwestern Pennsylvania this week to tout what supporters call a people-powered campaign. He says Democrats — and their friends in the media — are underestimating the size of his movement, and voters understand he’s a change agent who can right the wrongs of Democratic control.

A detailed look at the candidates’ recent public messaging shows a race that could be one of the most significant — and contentious — in the country, at a time when the GOP legislature here seems poised to act on numerous key issues, if only they had a governor’s approval and not his veto pen.

- more at link -

The Post-Gazette tries to make this sound like a "horse race" with two possible winners, the outcome is in doubt. But that's bullshit because everyone - even the Repukes - can see that there's only one viable candidate here.

Mastriano is a dangerous nutcase on multiple levels. It's a known fact that if Mastriano were to be elected Governor he'd do serious damage to our state government. It would be another replay of Chump, and the sensible Repukes in Pennsylvania can already see it. Josh Shapiro will win the Governorship by double digits in November.

Penn Dems let's get this done! Elect Josh Shapiro our new Governor!

[jimfields33]

1. A state senator whose district runs through Adam's County Pennsylvania

Do they mean he’s a state house representative? That’d be great as that means he was never won statewide. Another positive for Shapiro.

[FakeNoose]

2. PA Senate 33rd District is what Mastriano represents

I believe it includes all of Adams and Franklin Counties. However I'm hedging because changes have been proposed since the 2020 Census, and I'm not certain if this map is the final version. As you can see the 33rd District is mostly rural and it sits on the border with Maryland. In other words, the Mason-Dixon Line.

This guy has been in state politics for all of 3 years, and in that time he's been nothing but trouble.

[jimfields33]

3. I hope after January he's done.

[Midnight Writer]

4. The Post-Gazette makes a hell of an effort to make the Mastriano campaign sound "normal".

On one side is a qualified candidate who wants to do the job. On the other hand is a raving lunatic with no agenda beyond "hate your neighbors".

Somehow, they present this as a choice.

[FakeNoose]

5. The owners of the PPG (the Block family) are rightwingers and ChumpHumpers

Most of the editors and regular reporters are middle of the road, or liberal. But they have to do this "both-sider" stuff to please their bosses. If you look down at the bottom of the article, most of the readers' comments are pro-Shapiro and pro-Dem.

Occasionally the editorials written by the paper will criticize Chump, especially lately. But for the last 5 years they've been praising him up and down. I think they're slowly realizing that Chump isn't the future of the Repuke Party.

But the other newspaper in Pittsburgh is way worse. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was owned by Richard Mellon Scaife (before he died) and it's a total right-wing rag. I won't even read it or click on it.

[Deminpenn]

6. Only the twins, Alan and John, Jr are rightwingers

Their father, John Block, Sr, was fairly liberal. Other siblings are on the Block Communications board, but the twins run the Post-Gazette and Toledo Blade.

Recently, the editorial page had a shake up with Burris, a rw libertarian and mouthpiece for the twins, retiring or stepping aside or something and a new editorial page editor, Jeffery Gerritt, who has great credentials as an old school crusading-type journalist.

Burris still writes an occassional column as does the relentelessly moderate David Shribman, but the editorials have taken a turn for the better.

[FakeNoose]

7. Thanks I didn't know that about the new Executive Editor

That's encouraging as all get-out. Also, it explains why THIS was on the Editorial page yesterday:

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2022/08/12/donald-trump-search-documents-merrick-garland-fbi-justice-mar-a-lago/stories/202208110118

I was shocked to see this posted as a house-written editorial. Thanks are looking up, my friend!