New Lincoln Project ad tells voters not to be intimidated

Nov. 1—WILKES-BARRE — The campaign for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania is really heating up as we head into the final week before the Nov. 8 General Election.

Democrat John Fetterman, the state's Lieutenant Governor, is in a close battle with republican Dr. Mehmet Oz for the seat that has been held by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, who opted not to run for a third 6-year term.

Fetterman and Oz squared off in the race's only televised debate last week.

And as the decisive poll will occur Nov. 8, both candidates have brought out some heavy hitters to try to convince voters to vote for them.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama will travel to Philadelphia to campaign for John Fetterman, Josh Shapiro, and Pennsylvania Democrats down the ballot ahead of the midterm elections.

And the Lincoln Project, a leading "pro-democracy organization" in the United States — states it has dedicated its efforts to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy.

The Lincoln Project released a new ad titled "Hell No" — encouraging African American college students to get out the vote. The ad, voiced by comedian and actor Leslie Jones, tells how Republicans are trying to intimidate voters and keep them from voting. The ad encourages voters to stand up to the fear and go vote.

"Republicans know that if they want to win this year, they need to use fear to keep Democrats from voting," said Reed Galen, co-founder of the Lincoln Project. "If they win, Republicans have promised to roll back individual rights and push racist policies. Everyone needs to stand up to the threats and intimidation and go vote to stop them from taking power."

The Lincoln Project released the following statement in response to the attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's family and the ratcheting-up of violent rhetoric around the election:

"From January 6th, to the violence attributed to the FBI search on Mar-A-Lago, to yesterday morning's attack on Speaker Pelosi's family, MAGA extremists are increasingly looking to use violence as a political tool. The specter of violence is actively being encouraged by MAGA candidates and GOP leaders who embrace the language of violence as a means to gain support with an extremist base.

"This is a reckless trend leading to a dangerous moment for American Democracy. We call on Doug Mastriano and Mehmet Oz to say clearly, and without reservation, that they denounce violence of any kind and that their supporters should not commit violent acts in their name.

"It is time for every American to stand up against political violence and respect the rule of law. It begins with those individuals who wish to lead the nation.

To learn more about The Lincoln Project, go to lincolnproject.us.

New DSCC ad: Former President

Obama reminds Pennsylvanians to vote

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) this week released a new ad featuring Former President Barack Obama reminding Pennsylvanians to vote in this year's midterm elections.

"In Pennsylvania you've got some important choices to make this year," says former President Obama in the ad. "So when the fate of our democracy and a woman's right to choose are on the line, vote Democrat on Nov. 8."

The ad will reach likely voters on Facebook, Instagram, Connected TV, and YouTube, and will direct voters to IWillVote.com/PA, Democrats' voter education hub. The spot is part of the DSCC's previously announced seven-figure voter education advertising campaign in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Oz camp: 'It's scary what

Fetterman might do in Senate'

Halloween is the spookiest time of year, but the Dr. Oz campaign says it's even scarier this year with "radical" John Fetterman touting frightening policies like pardoning convicted murderers and decriminalizing heroin, fentanyl and meth.

"It's absolutely scary to think of what John Fetterman might do in the Senate. John Fetterman pushed to pardon convicted murderers, end cash bail for violent criminals, release one-third of all inmates, defund the police, and decriminalize heroin, fentanyl, and meth," said Brittany Yanick, Communications Director for Dr. Oz for Senate. "John Fetterman's radical policies are neither a trick nor a treat. They are downright deadly, dangerous, and wrong for Pennsylvania."

Yanick went on to say, "Radical John Fetterman's policies are so frightening that those entrusted with keeping Pennsylvanians safe, law enforcement groups like the PA State Troopers Association and the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, have endorsed Dr. Oz for Senate. Even the police union representing Fetterman's hometown of Braddock have endorsed Dr. Oz for Senate."

Here are what the Oz campaign says are some of Fetterman's most "frightening" policies:

—John Fetterman supported the release of convicted murderer Jahmir Harris who has reportedly killed again.

—John Fetterman has repeatedly said he agrees with the mass release of one-third of Pennsylvania's prison population.

—John Fetterman supports eliminating life sentences for murderers.

—John Fetterman has called for defunding the police, is endorsed by groups that want to defund the police, and supports council members who have called for defunding the police.

—John Fetterman called to eliminate cash bail, calling it "common sense" in 2018.

—John Fetterman has pushed to decriminalize fentanyl. Fetterman has repeatedly called for decriminalizing all drugs, including heroin, meth, and fentanyl. In an interview with The Nation in 2015, John Fetterman said "I'm pro-legalizing marijuana, but I go even further... I'm for decriminalizing across the board."

—John Fetterman supported opening heroin injection sites.

—John Fetterman supported Oregon Measure 110, which decriminalized drugs and contributed to an increase in homicides by nearly 55 percent and overdose deaths by 41 percent.

—Fetterman has a scary record of being soft on crime. FBI data shows that violent crime surged in Braddock, PA when Fetterman was mayor. In 2017, during Fetterman's tenure, violent crime peaked as the number of reports to local police quadrupled compared to 2006.

—Fetterman called a socialist single-payer system "ideal," brags that he's "pushed for single payer healthcare long before it was mainstream," and said he supports socialist Bernie Sanders' Medicare For All bill.

—Fetterman has been exposed for previously signing a pledge to ban fracking, calling it a "stain" on Pennsylvania, and saying "I don't support fracking at all — and I never have."

—Fetterman has "a history of unpaid taxes" and failed to "pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes on time to his local school district." In 2016, he made an excuse that his taxes "fell through the cracks."

RNC: Fetterman can't fix

declining U.S. economy

Sean Michael Shute, Pennsylvania Press Secretary for the Republican National Committee, this said the nation's economy continues to decline and claimed Fetterman can not fix it.

Shute cited a recent Dr. Oz Op-Ed piece.

"Although they promised to fight for American families when they entered the majority nearly two years ago, congressional Democrats have instead delivered a crippled economy, crushing regulations, and burdensome, out-of-touch big government policies," Dr. Oz began.

Shute said Oz continued by discussing his personal interactions with voters at various stops throughout the Keystone State.

"Pennsylvania families are stuck choosing whether to fill their gas tank or buy groceries — and Democrats in Washington have no plan to deliver real relief. In fact, they have no agenda for prosperity," Oz said.

Shute said Dr. Oz went on to talk about Fetterman and his "failed leadership in Pennsylvania," as well as the "horrendous, out-of-touch policies Fetterman would force on Pennsylvanians" if he were sent to the Senate.

Fetterman condemns Mastriano's 'hateful and

'antisemitic' campaign; blasts Oz for support

Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman this week said as GOP nominee for governor Doug Mastriano has run an increasingly hateful and antisemitic campaign in recent weeks, Dr. Oz has stood by his endorsement and political support for his fellow Republican extremist.

The Fetterman camp said this Saturday, Nov. 5, just days before the election, Oz is slated to finish the general election by campaigning alongside Mastriano on a rally stage with Trump.

Fetterman released the following statement:

"The antisemitism we are hearing from Doug Mastriano and his surrogates is vile and dangerous. I denounce and condemn this hate that is corrupting our politics and fomenting violence in the strongest possible terms. It makes us all less safe.

"Dr. Oz's continued support of Doug Mastriano and his hate is disturbing. In fact, all Oz has said about Mastriano is that he supports him. Oz and Mastriano have both embraced a radical agenda that would ban abortion without exceptions and continues to spread false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, but Oz's continued support for Mastriano's increasingly hateful and antisemitic campaign is disqualifying."

Rep. Cartwright endorsed

by Social Security group

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright this week received an in-person endorsement from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM).

The organization, which advocates for protecting earned benefits, recognized Cartwright for his dedication to preserving and expanding healthcare for seniors.

NCPSSM policy director, Dan Adcock, awarded the congressman a pair of boxing gloves for being a "fighter" for Social Security and Medicare. He touted Cartwright's support for the Social Security 2100 Act, which will strengthen and expand Social Security and Medicare well into the future.

"In this election, the choice could not be more clear, between somebody who's a fighter for seniors, who's been working not only to preserve these programs and make life better for seniors, and someone who sees Social Security and Medicare as a burden on our society," Adcock said.

The congressman and Mr. Adcock were also joined by local seniors who have benefited from these programs.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.