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COHEN: Trump Means Business on Greenland

Rather than dismissing Donald Trump’s pre-inaugural musings about the importance of the United States acquiring Greenland as typical Trumpian bluster, people — friend and foe — should take the man seriously.  Changes are on their way in the Arctic North Atlantic.

Greenland — two and one-half the size of Texas — is strategic in terms of its location and its natural resources. It is coveted by China and Russia, and Trump is wise to recognize the geopolitical implications of allowing the giant island to fall into unfriendly hands.

A self-governing territory of Denmark, Greenland (population: 57,000) is pursuing complete independence.  The island cannot really stand on its own. It has been kept afloat by $600 million in annual Danish subsidies, a revenue stream that will disappear once ties are cut with Copenhagen. This is where Trump enters the picture.

In his wide-ranging Jan. 7 news conference, Trump said was an “absolute necessity” for the United States to take ownership of the island, even threatening Denmark with tariffs and hinting at military intervention if a deal cannot be reached. Denmark refuses to sell, and Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, says, “We do not want to become American.”

However, U.S. investments in Greenland’s mining industry and closer bilateral security ties would be welcome, Egede emphasized.

The stakes are high. Greenland’s subsoil contains a variety of valuable minerals, rare earth metals, precious metals, and precious stones, including gold, silver, copper, lead, graphite, zinc, olivine, cryolite, and marble, according to Greenland’s Department of Environment and Mineral Resources. The island also abounds in lithium, cobalt and uranium, which, along with its rare earth elements, have a wide range of commercial and military applications.  The surrounding North Atlantic waters also have the potential for oil and natural gas development.

This treasure trove of natural resources between the Arctic and the Atlantic oceans now finds itself near center stage in the mounting geostrategic rivalry involving the United States, Russia and China. A change in Greenland’s status — from a Danish territory to some form of closer affiliation with the United States — will profoundly shake things up inside the Arctic Circle. With 15,000 miles of Arctic shoreline, Russia enjoys a formidable presence at the top of the world.

Commenting on Trump’s plans for Greenland, Vladimir Barbin, Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, said that “attempts to ensure U.S. national security at the expense of other nations may result in further deterioration of the situation in the Arctic, which Russia will take into account in its military planning.” 

China, which now calls itself “a near-Arctic” state, threatens to challenge Russia’s maritime regional dominance while simultaneously undermining the American position in the Arctic.  As a first, three Chinese icebreakers entered the Arctic via the Bering Straight last summer.

Beijing, the new kid on the Arctic block, has met with a cool reception. Its Polar Silk Road initiative launched in 2018 to enhance China’s presence in the region has fallen flat, with ambitious infrastructure and research projects in Finland scrapped by Helsinki after Beijing refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Greenland has also rebuffed Chinese efforts to establish a mining presence on the island. China already dominates the mining, refining and processing of global metals. Penetrating Greenland’s riches would only strengthen its position to the detriment of Greenland’s only serious protector, the United States.

The rapidly shifting crosscurrents of 21st-century geopolitics support Trump’s interest in Greenland.

“If you want to be a powerful space-faring nation and be able to project space power in terms of offensive and defensive space weapons systems and other sorts of (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), you have to have infrastructure in the Arctic Circle — not to mention the Antarctic Circle — to seamlessly communicate and control all of your satellites,” Jahara Matisek, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, recently told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 

As for projecting space power from the Arctic, Thule Air Base in northern Greenland (opened by the United States in 1952) was renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2023 and is now part of the U.S. Space Force. To the remote installation’s southeast lies the strategically important Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap, which provides access by sea to the Arctic. Monitoring the GIUK gap, safeguarding Greenland’s natural resources, and protecting U.S. military/space installations in Greenland is something that only an enhanced U.S. presence on the island can guarantee.

Interest in Greenland is nothing new. Secretary of State William Seward wanted to buy it from Denmark in 1867 (he had to settle for purchasing Alaska from czarist Russia); President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million ($1.6 billion in today’s money) in 1946. Trump raised the idea in his first term.

Today, the only question is what form the acquisition should take. Statehood is problematic given Greenland’s tiny population. More appealing to Trump and the Greenlanders may be the “Freely Associated State” status as has been granted to the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palus in the Pacific Ocean, where the United States has a military presence in exchange for financial assistance.  Another option is for Greenland to become a U.S. territory like Guam. 

Trump is the author of “The Art of the Deal.”  Negotiations are not far off. 

FLOWERS: Butler Assassination Attempt Marked a Turning Point for Trump

When Donald Trump acknowledged victory in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, he looked very much like the man who had escaped an assassination attempt this past summer.  I remember seeing the candidate a day or so after the attack in Butler, Pa., and his words were measured, calm and infused with a dignity and gravitas that was foreign to the brash New York real estate titan-turned politician.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. Even some of his most fervent critics on the left had to admit that he seemed to have evolved into a different creature, one who had faced his own mortality and emerged on the other side with a certain sort of otherworldly grace.

I also watched him at the Republican National Convention, and he seemed unusually subdued. This was a Trump that few of us had seen before, a man who smiled almost ruefully, perhaps contemplating on the fact that but for a few millimeters, he might not be there. I’ve spoken with other people who have had near-death experiences, and this is not at all uncommon.

And then, he eventually reverted to his native personality, his default position of being both energetic, amusing, insulting, endearing, and appalling at the same time. The reflective Trump of late summer disappeared and became the garden variety Trump you either loved, hated, or shrugged at. But the fact that we had seen that “other” Trump indicated that there was more depth to him than his critics give him credit for, and more sobriety than his fans are prepared to accept. They like his “fight fight fight” attitude and think that he needs to always be in attack mode.

I spoke with a few Trump supporters after the Butler attempt, and they didn’t want him to “go soft.” One even said to me that he thought Trump should accuse Biden of sending out a hit squad. As you can imagine, that person and I are no longer on speaking terms. Conspiracy theorists are not my preferred companions.

But as I was watching Trump on Wednesday morning, straining to keep my eyes and ears open, it occurred to me that the grace he had acquired in those terrifying moments in an open field in Pennsylvania had left their mark. The speech that he gave this week was entirely different from the one that he gave in 2016, and much different from his inaugural speech in January 2017. There was no sense of vengeance, of anger against a so called enemy, of retribution. He was filled with gratitude, and thanked a number of people by name, including his wife (for whom he even did an adorable commercial hawking her best-selling memoir), his children,  his campaign staff, a couple of mixed martial arts experts and perhaps most importantly, his vice president.

Trump has been almost dismissive of JD Vance over the course of the campaign, and hasn’t entirely had his back when the Yale Law School grad got into some hot water with Cat Ladies and Ladies Who Eat Cats. But on Wednesday evening, they hugged with genuine affection, and you could see that the torch-while not passed-clearly had its next recipient in pole position.

Watching the once and future president address the crowds convinced me that God had worked a bit of a miracle in Butler. His hand did not redirect the bullet from Trump’s brain to his ear, saving the candidate’s life. It would be disrespectful to Corey Comperatore, a rally attendee who was in fact killed by another bullet that the assassin sprayed into the crowd to assume that this was the case. God would not save one man while making another, innocent man a victim of the same violence.

But in that moment, the country became witness to the gravity of the divisions and hostility that had been festering for years, making Trump a target of unmatched hatred from his personal and political enemies. Two impeachments, four prosecutions, constant media campaigns against him, and a willingness to believe that he was nothing less than a fascist, have been the playbook since 2016.

I’m not saying that the Democrats are responsible for what happened in Butler. But I am saying that the vitriol that percolated for almost a decade against this singular character had its denouement in the attempt on his life.

And perhaps he, and now we, have an opportunity to put aside this reciprocal hatred, and try to coexist. There will still be people who will never accept Donald Trump as their president. But perhaps they can be marginalized, neutralized, and sidelined as we try and reach that point of grace that-for a fleeting moment-was present in the moments after a bullet almost killed the next president of the United States.

DelVal Reacts to Surprising Trump Victory

Former President Donald J. Trump won Pennsylvania Tuesday night, ensuring a historic second term in the White House. But he did it without the votes of most of the Delaware Valley. So, how do local residents feel about his victory? Opinions broke down along party lines.

While a majority of Delaware, Chester and Montgomery County voters cast their ballots for Harris, for the first time since 1988, Bucks County voters backed a Republican, at 50.69 to 48.35 percent for Trump.

Bucks County GOP Chairwoman Pat Poprik was pleased with the result.

“We are extremely proud of the results from Bucks County yesterday. What we saw was the culmination of a lot of hard work by the campaigns, committee members, dedicated volunteers, and grassroots conservative leaders,” Poprik said. “The voters, both in Bucks and nationwide, sent a clear message last night that we want a president who will improve the economy, secure the border, and make America strong, safe and respected on the world stage. That person is our 45th and soon to be inaugurated as our 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump!”

Delaware Valley residents reacted with jubilation or trepidation, depending on their political leanings.

“The election last night broke my heart and head. I’m certain there are many of you out there who feel similarly dizzied by the results,” wrote Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) on social media.

She encouraged people “to grieve and to question,” but to make sure they took care of themselves and others who were hurting.

Chester County resident and political candidate turned pundit Guy Ciarrocchi said, “This win is not simply about the amazing comeback of President Trump. It’s bigger.

“The future of the GOP is not (yet) Malvern, it’s Mayfair. It’s not C-suites execs, it’s small business owners who manage from their kitchen tables and their employees. It’s people who build things and want to create and work and control their own destiny,” he said. “The future of America is not New York Times editors telling us what to think. It’s first and second-generation Americans who believe in the American Dream.”

Chester County Democratic Committee Chair Charlotte Valyo said, “Although we are disappointed, we left nothing undone and we accept the decision of the American people. We will continue to work towards bipartisan solutions to the problems that face our nation and the world. Our Democratic elected officials will continue to govern for all their constituents and work to improve the lives of all Americans.”

“Last night was a pivotal moment in taking America back to its core values and constitutional consistency,” said Wayne businesswoman Leslie Morgan. “God bless America! Now let’s go show everyone how to govern effectively and efficiently for the people.”

Philadelphia Democrat political strategist Lindy Li said Harris should have picked Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) as her running mate.

“He’s famously a moderate,” she told Fox News. “So that would have signaled to the American people that she is not the San Francisco liberal that Trump said she was, but she went with someone actually to her left from Minnesota.”

Former Radnor Township Commissioner Rich Booker said, “I had predicted that Kamala would lose the election back in August. In response to a comment [someone] made on the golf course that with Biden out, the Democrats have now got a race, and that Kamala could beat Trump. I retorted “Mark it down–Kamala will lose by slightly less than Biden would have.”

“Democrats have gone too far, for too many years,” said Booker. “They never responded to any criticism of their immigration policy. They do not have any sense of what working people think. For many people, they may not have much, but the one thing that they always had, was their country. And the modern, progressive, woke democrats are taking that from them through their open-border immigration policies. They see it, and don’t like it. They let the Democrats know that yesterday.”

Republican state committeewoman Val Biancaniello, a Marple Township resident, said, “This morning, my husband and I are giving thanks to God for the reelection of President Trump. We are everyday conventional Americans who love our country, work hard and want our own children to enjoy the same freedom and opportunities this great country has provided for us. We can sleep again at night knowing under President Trump’s strong leadership, America will be safe and affordable again.”

Longtime Philadelphia political strategist Neil Oxman encouraged people not to overreact.

“My long view is that this country survives everything. The Civil War, the Depression, the Second World War, we’ve survived everything because we have this gigantic stable middle class,” he told DVJournal. “I don’t think the world is going to end.”

Trump Talks Immigration, Energy Costs at DelVal Town Hall

Former President Donald Trump listened to Delaware Valley residents’ concerns and offered his thoughts at a town hall in Drexel Hill on Tuesday.

The event, sponsored by America’s Future, focused on senior citizens’ concerns and drew several hundred local residents. Trump supporters without tickets lined Drexelbrook Drive outside the Drexelbrook Event Center to greet the candidate. With Trump were former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin.

Huckabee, who sought the GOP presidential nomination in 2016 before becoming a Fox News commentator, displayed his sense of humor.

“Let me be honest with you folks. Donald Trump was not my first choice for president. I was my first choice for president,” he said, inspiring laughter. “But I was one of the 16 people he obliterated on the stage in 2016.”

Huckabee added a serious note.

“No one who has ever been president has had the courage to face down the extraordinary giants of opposition he’s had to deal with. When he wins, this is going to be a time we can celebrate having a president that listens to the people rather than having the people listen to him,” Huckabee said, promising “a bottom-up government than a top-down government.”

When Trump took the stage, he mentioned he’d had the honor of meeting World War II veteran Ed Buffman just before the town hall began, and he complimented Buffman on his youthful appearance.

Buffman, 99, helped found the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in Media.

Trump told the audience this election is a choice between “gross incompetence” and “total failure” or “whether we’ll have the four greatest years in the history of our country.” He cited inflation, interest rates, and crime.

“I think the number one thing is the border. They have an open border; anyone can come in,” Trump said.

“Who would want to have millions of people coming into our country? Many of them are murderers, many of them are terrorists, many are gang members, MS-13. The Venezuelan gangs are worse.”

He said Vice President Kamala Harris changed her position on the border wall, opposing it when he was in office and now claiming she favors it. “She was the border czar. She was put there by Sleepy Joe and then he went back to sleep.” When the Border Patrol union endorsed Trump, they told him that Harris never called “one time” to check on the border, while Trump called every week.

Kitty Schmidt

Trump mentioned the Right to Try Law he championed, which helps people who are terminally ill get access to medications that might not be approved for their condition, saving thousands of people.

Trump believes safety is the biggest issue for senior citizens.

In a discussion of crime, Donald Park, a retired Upper Darby police lieutenant who served 32 years, said he would not want to go back on the police force. He said his former colleagues and officers now face burnout, lack of respect, and higher crime coming in from Philadelphia, along with funding cuts, unsupportive administrations, and soft-on-crime district attorneys.

“It’s forcing law enforcement to do more with less,” said Park. “What we need is to be back to law and order.”

In a moment that appeared to be designed to pushback on criticism over events at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, a woman who moved to the area from Puerto Rico expressed her support for Trump.

“I want you to know that Puerto Rico stands behind you and Puerto Rico loves you,” said Maribel Valdez. She came to the mainland from Puerto Rico when she was 17, earned a Ph.D. and worked as an occupational therapist for nearly 40 years before suffering a stroke and now works part time.

She said she’s had good experiences with the toll-free Medicare hotline and is worried that Biden and Harris plan to change it. There is a plan to unionize the workers. Trump promised to put seniors before special interests. “I don’t need the money. Maribel is going to be my consultant.”

“No president has done more for Puerto Rico than I have,” Trump said, noting he’d brought in a hospital ship to help the residents after a bad storm.

At Trump’s rally last weekend, a comedian who was part of the program made a joke comparing Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage.”

Later Tuesday, Biden created his own controversy by calling Trump supporters “garbage.”

Abington residents and military veterans Joe and Beth Rooney were also part of the panel. Joe is a former Marine pilot who flew for Delta Airlines and is now running for state representative. His wife Beth was a Naval aviator for 24 years and the first woman U.S. Navy jet test pilot.

Joe compared Trump to iconic movie star John Wayne, saying that in the wake of his near assassination in Butler, Pa., “You have ‘True Grit.'”

“A strong economy helps seniors…For a strong economy we need low energy prices and I know you’re all for low energy prices,” said Joe Rooney. “We need an all-of-the-above solution. We need nuclear, we need natural gas, we need coal. We need that to lower prices for food, gasoline prices, the prices seniors and people on fixed incomes pay in the wintertime.”

Joe Rooney asked Trump about the impact the 10 million illegal immigrants who crossed the border during the Biden-Harris administration will have on Social Security and Medicare.

“It’s probably 21 million and that doesn’t include the gotaways,” said Trump. “They’re all pouring in and we’re not going to stand for it.” Illegal immigrants are offered government benefits, he said.

“And it’s hard for towns to provide schools and hospital services with the influx of people…It’s not sustainable,” Trump added.

On energy, Trump pledged to open the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, do away with the Biden-Harris EV mandate.

Asked why she supports Trump, Delco resident Kitty Schmidt said, “Our country needs change. We are in trouble.”

Cherrie Campbell, of Northeast Philadelphia, likes Trump’s policies.

“I’m a platform, policy, performance voter,” said Campbell. “My life was much better the four years he was in office.”

Some DelVal Voters Get Threatening Anti-Trump Letter

As Halloween approaches, some Trump supporters in the Philly suburbs have been getting tricks rather than treats in their mailboxes: threatening letters telling them not to vote for the former president.

“We are writing with a concern about the level of political violence in the country during this election year as well as the threats to our democracy and freedoms,” the letters read.

“Your candidate is a felon, rapist, desecrator, an immoral flawed man. He is the major reason violence us [sic]. By supporting him, you are declaring your public support for a disregard for the law, civil discourse, and unity. You are indicating your hatred for minorities, immigrants, foreigners, women, education [and] Taylor Swift.

“We know where you live,” the letter continues. “You are in the database. In the dead of a cold winter’s night, this year or next and beyond, there is no knowing what may happen. Your property, your family may be impacted, your cat may get shot. And more.

“Your vote for this guy is seen as treading on my rights,” the letter said. “You tread on me at your peril, mother***er. We look forward to visiting in the future.”

It’s signed: “Patriotic citizen and a true American.”

Thus far, people in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties have received copies of the letter. A spokesman for the Trump campaign said some people in the Pittsburgh area have gotten letters, also.

Linda Kerns, an election integrity lawyer for the Republican National Committee, is handling complaints about the letter. She urges anyone who receives a threatening letter to contact protectthevote.com. That organization is keeping track of the letters.

If someone gets this letter, they should save it in a Ziplock bag to preserve it as evidence and contact their local police department, she said. If the letter came through the mail, they should contact the post office. Kerns was not certain if the nasty missive was sent to people with Trump signs in their yards, registered Republicans, or just randomly.

Whoever is sending the letters could be in big trouble.

Under Pennsylvania law, anyone who threatens or intimidates voters could be changed with a felony and face a $15,000 fine, up to seven years in prison, or both. Federal charges could also be brought, Kerns said.

“The political system in our great country contemplates robust and rigorous debate of ideas,” said Kerns. “Our First Amendment protects that precious freedom. Intimidation, threats, force, or violence towards voters has no place in our democracy.”

“We are cooperating with federal, state, and local authorities in their investigations and, hopefully, prosecutions of anyone who so blatantly and wrongfully interferes in our elections.”

Kerns said they’re contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office about the letters.

“We’re taking this very seriously,” she said.

Trump Serves Up Fries, Puts Down Harris at Bucks County McDonald’s

Former President Donald Trump had reporters eating out of his hands–literally–as he gave out bags of french fries at a campaign event at a Feasterville McDonald’s restaurant, where he worked as a fry cook and manned the take-out window. Trump is fond of McDonald’s, even bringing food from the fast food joint onto Air Force One when he served as president.

Trump emphasized Sunday that he’s now worked at a McDonald’s  “for 15 minutes more than Kamala,” after his opponent Vice President Kamala Harris claimed she worked at the fast food franchise while in college.

“I’ll never forget this experience,” Trump said while talking to reporters through a drive-up window where he’d just handed out bags of food to six cars full of customers.

Jim, from Bucks County, who was in a Jeep with four others, said he was getting fries and chicken nuggets. He said he’d won a lottery to be one of the people served by Trump that day. Asked if he believes that Harris worked at McDonald’s, he said, “I don’t believe her.”

“It’s an amazing business. It’s an amazing country. And we’re going to make America greater than ever before,” Trump said.

“We’re going to bring jobs back to our country,” Trump added as reporters called out questions.  He said McDonald’s franchise restaurants employ a lot of people.

“Look how happy everybody is. They’re happy because they want hope. They need hope and that’s what we’re doing is, [we’re] going to give much more than hope.”

Asked if he’d accept the election results, he said, “Yeah, sure. If  it’s a fair election, always.”

When someone mentioned Israel, Trump said he’d spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that morning and that it was good that Israel did not listen to the Biden-Harris administration’s advice.

“Israel is safer now,” he said.

Derek Giacomantonia owns the Feasterville McDonald’s, which was closed to the general public during Trump’s visit. “As a small, independent business owner, it is a fundamental value of my organization that we proudly open our doors to everyone who visits the Feasterville community. That’s why I accepted former President Trump’s request to observe the transformative working experience that one in eight Americans have had: a job at McDonald’s,” Giacomantonia said.

Pennsylvania McDonald’s franchises provide some 25,000 jobs, he added.

Trump’s supporters began to line Street Road hours before he was scheduled to get there, carrying signs and flags. As they waited, they shouted “U.S.A., Fight, fight, fight,” and “Trump.” Cars and trucks honked their horns.

A crowd waits for Donald Trump near the Feasterville, Pa. McDonald’s on Oct. 20, 2024

 

Sally Schlotter, of Feasterville, brought a bullhorn.

“It’s not just D.C. that’s messed up. Our local politicians are, as well. I love my country. Donald Trump brought things to light that were hidden for years,” she told DVJournal.

A nurse, Schlotter said she’s pleased that Robert Kennedy Jr. has joined the Trump team.

“Big pharma, big tech and big government are not for we the people,” said Schlotter.  “A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for socialism and communism,” she said. “She wants Medicare for all. That’s socialized medicine.”

Tony Carmen, 88, a Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran, was also on hand.

“I fought for this country,” said Carmen. “I always supported Trump.”

He even wrote and recorded a song about the former president called “Trouble.”

Trump, Harris, and their surrogates have made repeated trips to the Keystone State. The must-win battleground brings 19 electoral college delegates with it.

After his Oct. 20 foray to McDonald’s, Trump was slated to attend a roundtable at a Black barbershop in Philadelphia. On Monday, Oct. 21, the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania, Harris is expected to visit Chester County.

Told that Sunday was Harris’ birthday, Trump wished her “happy birthday” and said he might send her flowers.

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Counterpoint: Kamala Harris Is the Best Choice to Lead the United States

(For an alternate point of view see, “Point: A Vote for Donald Trump is a Vote for Free Speech”)

Voting is already underway in many places nationwide, and Election Day is only weeks away. While many people have decided whether it’s voting for one candidate or perhaps even against another, some are still deciding whether they will vote.

No matter where you are, I want to share why voting for Vice President Kamala Harris is a great choice.

The overriding reason to vote for Harris is to continue restoring normalcy and protecting democracy. However, even if you put those important goals aside, Harris is clearly the best and most qualified choice.

Harris is knowledgeable. Despite the right-wing punditry questioning the depth of her policy agenda and expertise, Harris has repeatedly delved deep into current policy debates and the specifics of her policy proposals. Whether on the debate stage, at campaign rallies or in interviews, Harris shows the policy know-how necessary to be president.

She is accomplished. Having served the public in various roles for decades, Harris has helped pave the way for justice by prosecuting criminal activity as a district attorney and attorney general, ranging from violent crime to prescription drug price gouging.

As a senator, she sponsored legislation and championed the cause for women’s rights, workers’ rights and mental health. She artfully challenged unqualified presidential nominees. Despite being early in her Senate career, Harris used her expertise and passion to make a difference in an evenly divided chamber.

As vice president, Harris made numerous White House working groups on maternal health, reproductive rights and gun violence prevention topics.

Harris is also mindful. She focuses her work with others in mind. The primary job of being president is to always be thinking of others. Her compassionate approach to governing is a considerable and vital advantage she has over her opponent.

Harris is also accessible. Many Americans can find her life’s experience relatable. That familiarity makes for a natural companion to her compassion and mindfulness. This includes having what many call good “vibes.” That positive and approachable personality opens doors, hearts and minds. The next president will need this to move the nation forward.

The vice president is also lawful. It is crucial to have a president who knows the law and faithfully follows it. We have not always needed to make what seems like a reasonably basic distinction, but sadly, we do. Her experience as a district attorney and as the attorney general of California will help guide Harris in serving everyone and protecting our nation’s laws.

Last, Kamala Harris is authentic. The American people do not need to wonder who she is, her motivations or what she will do to lead. She shows us that with her attributes and experiences.

Of course, we can describe Harris’s qualifying attributes in many ways. Smart, kind, honest, passionate, experienced, approachable, professional and even presidential.

So, what should we be looking for in a president?

Someone who is Knowledgeable, Accomplished, Mindful, Accessible, Lawful, and Authentic. In short, KAMALA.

GIORDANO: Caving to Her Party’s Anti-Jewish Bias May Have Cost Harris the Election

Pennsylvania is in play and may end up in the win column for former President Donald Trump.

When historians write the saga of why Vice President Kamala Harris failed in her presidential bid, they may attribute it to one fatal choice: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her VP pick.

When I watched Ohio Sen. JD Vance take apart Walz in the vice-presidential debate, I imagined the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, sparring with Vance.

Shapiro would have held his own against Vance and perhaps scored a few points.

So, why didn’t Harris pick Shapiro, a slam-dunk choice who enjoys immense popularity in a state that she needs to win?

The first reason underlines why Harris does no real interviews and can’t answer basic questions about solutions to inflation and the illegal immigrant crisis. Shapiro would upstage her. He is much better on his feet and has a much more commanding speaking style, not to mention a commanding grasp of the issues. People would wonder why he is not at the top of the ticket.

The second reason he wasn’t chosen intersects with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel. Shapiro, who is Jewish, not only called out the horrors of the Oct. 7—horrific attacks by Hamas on Israelis—he pointed out the hatred and antisemitism on many college campuses protesting against Israel and told university officials to remove the encampments.

Shapiro forcefully and eloquently laid out the case against the haters.

Despite his political talents and the fact that he might have carried Pennsylvania for Harris, it seems clear that the far-left Democrats found his defense of Israel and Jewish college students abhorrent.

On the first anniversary of Oct. 7, the Anti-Defamation League released data indicating antisemitic attacks increased by 200 percent over the past year. And at least 1,200 of the 10,000 reported incidents occurred on college campuses.

I have found few, if any, messages from college and university presidents on the anniversary reminding people of the savagery of the original attacks and the fact that rape and torture were not acts of rogue outliers but the policy of Hamas when it massacred innocent Israelis.

The national office of The Council on American  Islamic Relations issued a statement that read, “ On the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks and the start of the genocide in Gaza, we reiterate our condemnation of such violence and demand that President Biden use American power to end this year-long disaster. It is long past time for President Biden to force Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a comprehensive ceasefire deal that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” On the same day, Vice President Harris, in a “60 Minutes” interview, refused to say that President Netanyahu was an ally of the United States.

I visited Israel on a tour with 30 of my listeners, and I came away with a deep sense of Israel’s need for security. I support its need to continue to hunt down members of the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

But stopping Israel from rooting out Hamas in Gaza is where many in the Democratic Party have landed, and each week we get further away from the memory of Oct. 7, the more they will push for a ceasefire.

Amanda Greenberg, writing at Broad  + Liberty, makes the point many try to disguise as DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). She writes, “According to believers of DEI, Jews are “White” and are, therefore, oppressors.”

This oppressor-colonizer narrative that’s now taught in many schools plays into the ongoing criticism of Israel and is used ultimately to mitigate the appalling Oct. 7 attacks.

So, as we move past the first anniversary of Oct. 7, I contend that Josh Shapiro was not chosen as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate because of bias. The Democrats will see the result of that bias when Trump wins Pennsylvania and is once again president of the United States.

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DelVal Divided in Reax to Trump-Harris Debate

Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris had their moments during their debate Tuesday evening. It could be argued that Harris got under Trump’s skin at times. When he called her a “Marxist,” Trump appeared to anger her.

But both sides were quick to claim victory.

“Good night, Kamala! Your campaign is over. I just stepped off the stage with Comrade Kamala Harris – and I wiped the floor with her,” Trump said in an email. “She tried to run away from her record. She thought she could deceive the entire country into believing she’s a moderate. But we exposed her for the dangerous liberal that she is.”

Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon sent this message, “Tonight, Vice President Harris commanded the stage on every single issue that matters to the American people. Americans saw exactly what kind of president Kamala Harris will be: one who offers a New Way Forward for the country, who will be a president for all Americans, and who will turn the page once and for all on the darkness and division of Donald Trump. And she reminded the American people that she is the only candidate in this race ready to serve as our next commander-in-chief.”

More locally, Democrats and Republicans reacted to the debate.

Pat Poprik, Bucks County GOP chair, said, “In tonight’s debate President Trump was not only facing Kamala Harris, but also a clear bias from the ABC moderators. They never went back at her to force her to answer a question that she didn’t answer yet they did with him. I don’t see how anyone can vote for a candidate other than Donald Trump after watching this debate. Only one candidate will fix our economy, close our borders, strengthen our nation, and make life better for all Americans and that is President Trump.”

Charlotte Valyo, chair of the Chester County Democratic Committee said, “America just saw a rambling and confused lie-filled rant from, as Vice President Harris has said, the same old Trump playbook. The contrast presented by Kamala Harris was unmistakable. Her poise, policy details, and professionalism are what Pennsylvania and America need right now.  We’re not going back to that!”

“Vice President Kamala Harris dodged questions about the poor state of the economy, the cost of living, and her past statements on bans on fracking. Meanwhile, President Trump laid out a plan that would get our economy back on track for Pennsylvanians and protect Pennsylvania jobs. In the end, Vice President Harris refused to take responsibility for anything of the Biden-Harris administration and acted like she wasn’t an incumbent. In reality, she was called out as someone who’s done nothing to combat inflation and the cost of living,” said Michael Straw, RNC Delegate from PA-05 and chairman for the Media Borough Republican Committee.

Guy Ciarrocchi, a writer and Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow, said, “This debate began with the candidates tied in the polls and the nation divided. We likely leave this debate with the race still tied, but the nation, perhaps, even further divided. The overt, undeniable bias by the ABC moderators in criticizing President Trump, never criticizing or ‘fact checking’ Vice President Harris and posing questions to put him—not her—on the defensive will further divide the nation, sadly lowering trust in the legacy media.”

Dave McCormick, the Republican running for the Senate said on X, “Kamala Harris, along with Bob Casey, repeatedly vowed to ban fracking and “transition” Pennsylvania energy workers. Her denial just now is insulting and not believable to PA energy workers. Roll the tape:”

Democratic strategist TJ Rooney believes Harris was the clear winner.

“Her preparation was amazing – and it showed,” said Rooney. “She pushed every button and the former president reacted accordingly. When you’re angry and on your heels, you’re losing. Trump was on defense from the start. For dug in partisans, they saw what they wanted. Independent voters will notice a profound difference. And she continues to energize Democrats.”

Regarding whether Harris’ comments on fracking (she is for it now) and Israel (she said she supports the Jewish country but also mentioned a ceasefire so innocent Palestinian lives aren’t lost) would her hurt her with the Democratic base, Rooney said, “No. In truth, I believe her performance will continue to energize the base.  She stood toe-to-toe with him and owned him.”

Longtime Republican strategist Charlie Gerow said, “The most important moment of the debate was President Trump’s closing question. Asking where she has been for the last three and a half years is the question every American should be demanding an answer to. Kamala Harris spent the entire night trying to run away from her own positions. She never explained why she has changed her positions as she promised to do. Sadly the moderators never required her to do so.”

Asked about undecided voters, Gerow said, “Undecided voters didn’t get much from Kamala Harris so not likely that many came to her. President Trump looked and sounded stronger and more like a leader which reinforces the key distinction between the two. That will help.”

Vince Galko, a senior vice president at Mercury and GOP strategist, said  with undecided voters, Harris “did a good job dispelling the notion that she was some kind of leftist with a radical agenda for the time being. ”

“Vice President Harris was more prepared and polished,” said Galko. “The opinions will differ on if it came across as too polished. President Trump was President Trump. He spoke in a simple and relatable manner. It was clear that Trump’s strategy was too galvanize his base support while Harris attempted to appeal to undecideds while risking  the alienation of some in her base.”

And Jeff Jubelirer, vice president with Bellevue Communications, called the debate “unbelievably nasty, probably at this point amping up each candidate’s bases without changing many minds.”

“Trump is by no means helping himself, though, beyond his diehard supporters as he’s all over the place and meandering going off topic and going back to his tired lies about the 2020 election and only spewing his hateful and false rhetoric. He’s unable to talk about any policy specifics. He’s more interested in saluting dictators like Viktor Orban. How does this help him?”

Asked if Harris was playing ‘prevent defense,’ Jubelirer said, “A little, but she can’t afford to do that. She needs to make the 30 or so percent who don’t know enough about her comfortable enough to support her even if they don’t agree with her on everything but don’t want to support Trump.”

He added, “When every Trump apologist online is blaming the moderators for his performance you know he lost the debate. It’s gotten worse for Trump as it’s gone on. [Harris] hasn’t hurt herself as much. Could have been challenged more to directly answer some questions although same can be said for Trump. They just spin. Trump lost it. More than anyone winning it.

As far as undecided voters or the debate changing voters’  minds, Jubelirer said, “Maybe. Not so much changed their mind as got off the fence of being undecided. Again, could be very small number but that could be enough to sway the outcome.”

 

COUNTERPOINT: Politicians Should Focus on Issues, Not Gotcha Moments

(For an alternate point of view, see: Point: Republican Transparency Trumps Democratic Party Bosses’ Machinations)

The 2024 Democratic United States presidential and vice presidential candidates are being called the most liberal in election history by some news media outlets. Voters must choose our current Vice President Kamala Harris or former 45th President Donald Trump.

Each side has to decide to make changes for our country. Voters across America do want a change for the better. For example, having less violent crime, excessive protests, bringing down inflation, and no wars are key issues. There’s concern about our joining wars in parts of the world, such as what is sadly still occurring in the Middle East.

Fixing our country’s culture as a whole is the common goal.

There is no side that is right or wrong in this election. Both Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance political party teams have to focus on a stronger, less problematic America for our future economic government.

When our presidential candidates hold rallies and campaign events and are interviewed on a national news program, it would be nice to see less of the going back and forth, such as practically insulting each other as opponents and competitors and the “I got you moment.”

It seems that sometimes it is more for clickbait and viral content, such as when the news media bring up the presidential candidates’ past on what policies and actions they passed through. It is not helpful to keep repeating their decision-making from a previous political perspective, especially if it is not going to happen for the current governmental system administration.

Understandably, a candidate wants to be entertaining to all voters, including all age groups and not just being wholly standard but in our current political environment that we are all in. However, it is best to stay completely focused on the pressing issues that America has.

The way some media news sets the narrative is by complaining about each candidate almost as if it is on a personal agenda, not steering towards only the problems that need addressing. According to the U.S. Department of State website, our main global policy issue concerns are listed as anti-corruption and transparency, arms control and nonproliferation, climate and environment, the climate crisis, combating drugs and crime, countering terrorism, cyber issues, economic prosperity and trade policy, energy, global health, global women’s issues, human rights and democracy, refugee and humanitarian assistance, human trafficking, the ocean and polar affairs, science, technology and innovation, treaties and international agreements.

The 18 listed policy issues should be the main focus.

Things in America must get better sorted for all citizens, excluding their economic and financial status. Talking about taxes is getting repetitive. In future debates, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Tim Walz, and JD Vance hopefully can make an effort to put their personal feelings about one another aside and keep it civil for us as voters.

Whoever is elected on Tuesday, Nov. 5, as our 47th president of the United States will bring a new, fresh change for the betterment of our country because we need it progressively and aggressively.

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