Now that both the Republican and Democratic conventions have been written into the annals of American history, voters can get to the hard work of deciding which candidates on the entire ballot best represent their values and priorities.
Most agree that the November 2024 election will be one of the most important in American history. Representatives of both parties say the survival of American democracy is at stake. Republicans say the federal government needs to be completely reorganized, and they have even drafted a manuscript they plan to give to former President Trump if he returns to the White House.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES – AUGUST 19: A view of the United Center during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, United States, on August 19, 2024. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty Images
Democrats, currently led by Vice President Kamala Harris, fear the former president will use his powers to pardon himself and expunge his numerous capital crime convictions. They also fear he will pardon those serving sentences for the Jan. 6 insurrection that left four people dead at the Capitol.
Three more people died in the weeks that followed in connection with the riots. And many Americans would consider it a travesty of justice that they were pardoned after threatening hundreds of lawmakers, including Vice President Mike Pence.
Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) read the final certification of the Electoral College votes in the November presidential election during a joint session of Congress after working through the night at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, disrupting the process. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool)AP
As if all of this wasn’t enough to sensitize voters, Pennsylvanians also have important elections coming up to decide who will represent them in the House and Senate and who will be the next Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury. That’s nothing to sneeze at.
Now that the party is over, we urge Pennsylvania voters to take seriously their responsibility during these historic times for our great country. We urge our readers to do their homework and look at facts, not election propaganda or social media hype.
This photo combination shows U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.) (from left) at an event at the offices of AFSCME Council 13 on March 14, 2024 in Harrisburg and Republican David McCormick addressing supporters at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh on September 21, 2023.AP archive photos/Marc Levy and Gene J. Puskar
Don’t just listen to Uncle Mike or Aunt Sally, and don’t be fooled by mimes, fake videos, and random tweets. Do your own research using reputable and trustworthy sources, and consider attending or at least watching one of the candidate forums currently scheduled across the state.
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is set to host the first debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump on September 10. The show will be hosted by ABC TV, and PennLive’s editorial team is inviting candidates for major offices to present their arguments directly to our readers.
We will also post our editorial meeting with the candidates on our social media platforms.
PennLive also invites newsmakers from across the political spectrum to join Battleground PA, the weekly podcast on the issues shaping the 2024 election. Joyce M. Davis, PennLive’s outreach and opinion editor, brings together political analysts, activists and influential people to discuss some of the most contentious issues that will concern voters this election season.
Brian Phillips is one of the authors of the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Project. He appeared on PennLive’s “Battleground PA” to discuss the conservative agenda for the 2024 election.Zoom screenshot
Recent podcasts have looked at Project 2025 from the perspective of one of its authors at the Heritage Foundation and from the Democratic perspective of former U.S. Representative Joe Sestak.
Rear Admiral Joe Sestak served as a Congressman from Pennsylvania and ran for President during his political career after retiring from the Navy.Facebook screenshot
PennLive will not endorse candidates in the 2024 election, but we will give candidates ample opportunity to debate the issues politely and with mutual respect. Most importantly, we will not hesitate to voice our opinions on how well the candidates are doing, or how poorly they are doing. And you will be able to see for yourself how they answer questions, dodge them, or don’t show up at all.
We don’t have to tell you how to think or which box to tick, but you can rely on us to provide you with the information and opinions you need to be an informed voter and ensure that our democracy endures for at least another 250 years.
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