Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania's Senate race, McCormick elevates Israel-Hamas war in bid for Jewish voters
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Republican running for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania is escalating criticism of Democrats over the Israel-Hamas war and has traveled to the Israel-Gaza border to make the case that the Biden administration hasn’t backed Israel strongly enough since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
The criticism by GOP candidate David McCormick reflects the delicate political challenge facing both President Joe Biden and incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in a state Democrats can’t afford to lose in 2024.
Biden, who is seeking a second term as president, has been criticized from the left for being too pro-Israel in his response to its war on Hamas and for not doing enough to address the burgeoning humanitarian crisis among Palestinians in Gaza.
McCormick’s attacks echo those voiced on the GOP’s presidential campaign trail where candidates have portrayed Biden’s policy on Iran — a key financial backer of Hamas — as too weak to frighten what the U.S. calls the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
McCormick said the U.S. should impose sanctions to cut off Iran’s oil sales and mount a more muscular response to attacks on U.S. targets in the Middle East to restore an order upended by what he called Biden administration mistakes going back to an incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“The key to America’s role in the world is peace through strength,” McCormick said in an interview Thursday. “And so I think what we’re seeing is the failure of deterrence. I think what we’re seeing is a belief, across the world, among our adversaries, that America’s a little flat-footed. America’s weak.”
Neither Casey nor McCormick are likely to face serious opposition in Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary before facing off against each other in November’s general election.
David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, laughs during a discussion with military veterans organized by his campaign at an American Legion hall, Jan. 18, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Credit: AP/Marc Levy
McCormick’s focus on the issue comes as a barrage of U.S., coalition and militant attacks in the Middle East are compounding U.S. fears that Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza could expand.
The Biden administration’s support for Israel has been complicated politically in other states the president is counting on in his reelection bid. In Michigan, for example, Democrats worry that losing support among the state’s large Arab-American population over the war could damage their prospects. Michigan also has an open Senate seat on the ballot this year.
Pennsylvania and Michigan, along with Wisconsin, are indispensable parts of a “ blue wall ” of Rust Belt states that helped Biden defeat former President Donald Trump in 2020 after Trump won those states in 2016.
In the Senate, Democrats maintain a narrow majority, one that became more perilous late last year with the retirement of West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. That makes Casey’s seat even more pivotal to his party’s efforts to maintain control of the chamber.
David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, listens during a discussion with military veterans organized by his campaign at an American Legion hall, Jan. 18, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Credit: AP/Marc Levy
McCormick’s effort to highlight his support for Israel is unique thus far in this year’s high-profile Senate contests, and it could become a test case for Republicans in fall general election contests.
McCormick hopes to peel off not only swing voters in Pennsylvania, but also members of the state’s relatively large Jewish community who vote predominantly Democratic — but could make a difference in a close election.
Even though the war has divided both Democrats and Jews, taking votes from Casey poses a formidable challenge. The incumbent senator is well-regarded by Pennsylvania’s Jewish community and has been a reliable ally in Congress for Israel and its fight against Hamas.
Vowing solidarity with Israel, McCormick took a two-day trip to Israel where he visited a kibbutz that was attacked by Hamas and met with government officials, hostage families and survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks.
McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, told reporters that the fight against Hamas is between “the West versus evil.” He followed the trip with a media blitz and a letter to what his campaign said were tens of thousands of “persuadable” voters in Pennsylvania.
In the letter, McCormick quotes an orthodox rabbi known for his outreach to secular Jews and the Jewish scholar Hillel.
“Israel needs America’s firm and unequivocal support,” McCormick wrote. “Hamas must be destroyed. The lesson of October 7 is clear — the Middle East respects strength and that is why Israel must win. America’s mission must be to help Israel win. It’s that simple.”
McCormick did not mention Casey in the two-page letter. But he separately accused Casey and Biden of “appeasement” of Iran, going back to what he called the “original sin” of Casey’s support for the Iran nuclear deal under President Barack Obama in 2015 that critics say gave Iran the cash it needed to fund terror.
Casey countered that he has fought for years to back Israel in its fight against Hamas and that the Iran nuclear deal had been working — until Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement.
“That’s the type of reckless policy my opponent supports,” Casey said in a statement.
On policy, Casey’s and McCormick’s positions on Israel have a lot in common.
They both support military aid to Israel, backing Israel’s mission to destroy Hamas and putting aside allegations of Israeli war crimes, saying they are convinced Israel has gone to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties.
Both have slammed the savagery of the Hamas attack, and accused it of using civilians as human shields. Arab nations that publicly criticize Israel’s counterattack on Gaza privately tell their Israeli, U.S. and European counterparts that they want Hamas gone, Casey said on CBS News’ podcast “The Takeout.”
“They’re all saying, ‘please take out Hamas,’” Casey said.
Casey has not joined some of his Democratic colleagues in calling for a ceasefire, putting conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel or criticizing Israel for a bombing campaign that the the Hamas-controlled government says has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians. He also has not echoed Biden administration unease over the scale of Israel’s military operation.
Casey, running for a fourth-term, is endorsed by the fundraising powerhouse, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and the former chairman of a Foreign Relations subcommittee on the Middle East has visited Israel six times over his 17-year Senate career.
In recent days and weeks, Casey visited a Jewish Community Center in Pittsburgh, attended the “March for Israel” on Washington’s National Mall and spoke at a synagogue in Philadelphia to denounce antisemitism.
For McCormick, foreign policy is a strength of his and a cornerstone of his campaign, something of a rarity in the current era. The decorated Army veteran held senior posts in the administration of President George W. Bush, including deputy national security adviser for international economic policy, and served on a defense policy board under Trump.
Republicans see Pennsylvania as a battleground state with a significant enough Jewish population — around 400,000, by their estimate — to swing an election decided by tens of thousands of votes.
For Jewish voters, Israel is not the only issue they care about, but it is a higher priority after the attack by Hamas, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.
Jewish voters typically vote overwhelmingly Democratic, and Democrats right now are trying to balance their interest in protecting Israel with that of younger voters, who have been sympathetic to Palestinians, he said.
“That’s something, of course, Democrats have to address in keeping their coalition together,” Borick said. “Jewish voters have been one of their most loyal supporter groups. Although not a gigantic segment of the population, it’s nonetheless crucial given the nature of tight elections in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania
Thousands flock downtown for Juneteenth parade celebrating racial progress and end of slavery
Pennsylvania hides some of its best sights in salt-mining canal towns, riverside boroughs of a few hundred people, and overlooks where the Susquehanna unspools below you. These nine small towns trade crowds for character: a 65-mile rail trail tracing the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon,” gas lamps flickering over a downtown that still has a family-owned department store, a lake that once held an amusement park and now holds stocked trout every spring. From the Endless Mountains of Bradford County to the Allegheny valleys, here are seven Pennsylvania towns worth the detour.
Harveys Lake
Harveys Lake is a small but approachable borough near the Back Mountain Region of Luzerne County, inviting those who seek outdoor recreation opportunities like boating, fishing, and biking. With a population of just under 3,000, this out-of-the-way town is named for the beautiful lake it surrounds. Harveys Lake was a bustling tourist destination throughout the 20th century. At one point it featured a casino, an amusement park, and Grand Hotel Oneonta. Nowadays, this modest town on a mighty lake is a lesser-known setting for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and those seeking to get away from the usual crowded vacation spots.
Boating is popular amongst locals and visitors alike, and personal vessels can be launched from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access on Lakeside Drive. The best way to fish on Harveys Lake is by boat, and there’s plenty of trout stocked in the springtime by the PFBC. It’s even possible to charter a fishing trip on the lake with a guide like Dry Creek Charters or rent a boat for fishing from Harveys Lake Pontoon Cruises. Purchase a guest pass at one of the beaches, like the one at Sunset Beach Club, and unwind with a swim along the lake’s shoreline. The slow pace of life in this town lends itself well to biking, too. The Harveys Lake Loop that runs through the borough is an easy, paved ride around the lake’s perimeter.
Saltsburg
About 36 miles from Pittsburgh is a remote borough sitting where the Conemaugh River and Loyalhanna Creek come together, creating the Kiskiminetas River. This location, combined with its history as a salt mining town, makes it an engaging yet secluded area to explore. The historic Pennsylvania Mainline Canal ran through Saltsburg, and people can still visit and learn about the canal whose terminus was all the way in Philadelphia. The yearly Saltsburg Canal Days Festival every June is an ode to the canal history for residents and visitors interested in food, live music, and even a charity duck race.
It’s easy to find roads less traveled along Saltsburg’s hiking and biking trails, like the Westmoreland Heritage Trail or the Conemaugh River section of the West Penn Trail. When the river is calling, it’s easy to rent a kayak from Saltsburg Kayak and Canoe on Market Street for a leisurely float. Time is well-spent at the Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum viewing historical artifacts and furnishings.
Hollidaysburg
Hollidaysburg is a beautiful small borough in Blair County, PA. With a population of around 5,600, the borough is small enough to be a calm getaway while still serving peak entertainment, views, and outdoor fun. History and recreation collide at Canal Basin Park, where historic markers and a canal lock replica invite onlookers to interact with the community’s past. The Anne Sloane Borland Performing Arts Pavillion provides live music throughout the summer months. View a quiet, breathtaking aerial of the borough from Chimney Rocks Park. The way up to the overlook via the Chimney Rocks Lookout Trail is a great way to take in the natural landscape.
The scenic views continue on old State Route 22, where gorgeous flowers are planted and maintained by the borough at Gateway Garden. Small-town hospitality is abundant at The Dream Restaurant on Allegheny Street, feeding nostalgia with home-style comfort meals. The living history of Hollidaysburg surrounds guests at the Allegheny Street Bed and Breakfast who choose to go out and explore the historic district.
Wyalusing
Wyalusing is a borough best known for the Wyalusing Rocks Overlook, a natural rock formation that offers grand panoramas of the Susquehanna River. The borough is a treat for visitors to the Endless Mountains Region of Bradford County. Wyalusing was originally settled by several groups of Indigenous tribes, such as the Susquehannock, the Iroquois, and the Delaware, before becoming a vital hub for logging and farming. Today, Wyalusing is home to 613 residents who cherish and appreciate their small town.
Spaces like Wyalusing Creekside Park are a phenomenal way to savor the scenery and participate in activities like disc golf and trail walking. The babbling Wyalusing Creek is sure to offer opportunities to catch smallmouth bass. The rich narratives of the borough and surrounding area are highlighted at the Wyalusing Valley Museum. Their location on Main Street makes it easy to book a private tour and browse items in the archive.
Curwensville
The valleys of the Allegheny Mountains are the place to find off-the-grid destinations. Curwensville is a town among them that offers adventure and outdoor fun. Like many municipalities in Western Pennsylvania, the area established itself through the extensive logging industry. The flow of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River nearby made this possible. Now, Curwensville is a valuable riverside town with lots of potential for exploration.
The most popular attraction is Curwensville Lake. Formed by the Curwensville Dam, folks can swim, boat, and fish throughout the spring and summer months. The ever-popular Irvin Park offers a kayak launch area, inclusive playground, and pavilion rentals all season. It’s also the location of the Curwensville Days Festival, a five-day event full of vendors, exhibits, and even a car show. Another annual happening is the Curwensville Blueberry Festival, which includes vendors and a farmers market. Outside of festival season, locals love to satisfy their sweet tooth at the Blue Kow on Susquehanna Avenue.
Shickshinny
Named for the Shickshinny Creek that runs through the center of town, this borough is located between Berwick and Nanticoke in Luzerne County. The Historical and Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area helps its 715 residents remain active participants in maintaining its regional legacy. They’ve operated an informative historical museum in their building on Main Street that’s available by appointment and during scheduled open houses.
The yearly Shickshinny Borough Carnival is a delightful blend of food, vendors, and live music the town looks forward to in North Canal Park. Parks and recreation go off the beaten path on winding trails like the Mocanaqua Loop Trail or the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. Shickshinny has truly stunning natural formations. Little Shickshinny Falls is arguably the most beautiful. It’s only about 15 minutes’ hike up from the trail on Shickshinny Valley Road.
Wellsboro
The Tioga County seat of Wellsboro is visually stunning, with its most prolific landmark being the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. This six-million-year-old artifact of nature is part of Tioga State Forest. Many find their way to the canyon from the Pine Creek Rail Trail, which traverses 65 miles through Tioga and Lycoming Counties, respectively. It offers a low-grade path that lends itself well to hiking, biking, and even horseback riding in some sections.
The allure of gas lamps lining the streets downtown gives Wellsboro an almost magical feel. This feeling is amplified by the many shops in the borough, with Dunham’s being one of the last family-owned and operated department stores in the nation. A statue of one of the borough’s founders, Mary Wells Morris, is a welcome and graceful presence on Main Street. Just a few blocks down, the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center is an inviting space to appreciate more local art at one of its many planned exhibits.
Off the Beaten Path
When the natural beauty of Pennsylvania meets the amiable small towns of the various regions, it creates an incomparable experience. Chartering a boat to fish Harveys Lake is one example of that immersive energy. It’s celebrated in festivities like the Shickshinny Borough Carnival or the Canal Days Festival. At the end of the day, these off-the-grid areas have just as much excitement as their more populated counterparts in terms of atmosphere and offerings.
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Cherries, strawberries, peaches — normally all easy to find at local farms this time of the year — but some orchards are still feeling the impact of a freeze that killed many of those fruits.
What’s normally a busy season is a quiet one for the Honey Bear Orchard after an April freeze took all their fruit crops for this year.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | ‘It just froze them’: Honey Bear Orchards loses $200K, fruit crops in April freeze
“We usually start Father’s Day with sweet cherries … and that day, it has just grown into a big day for us,” owner Nelson Heagy said. “Sometimes, the cars are lined up the whole way in the lane, 3 to 400 cars come in that day. Tomorrow it’s going to be quiet.”
The night of April 20, temperatures in Lebanon County dropped below 24 degrees — a devastating blow to farms whose fruit trees were unable to survive the cold temperatures.
In less than 24 hours, Honey Bear Orchards lost dozens of acres of fruit, including cherries, apricots, apples and peaches.
At the time, the orchard estimated it lost around $200,000, but Heagy says that’s not the worst part.
“It’s more the emotional, because financially, yes, we’re geared up for that and it’s meeting the people.”
After Gov. Josh Shapiro called on the USDA to help out Pennsylvania counties impacted by this freeze, the agency announced several counties were eligible for disaster assistance in the form of emergency loans.
READ MORE | Six PA counties included in disaster designation for farmers affected by April freeze
Adams, Chester, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster and York counties are included.
Absent from that list is Lebanon County, where Honey Bear Orchards is located.
We reached out to the USDA to ask why Lebanon County wasn’t included, but we haven’t heard back yet.
However, Heagy says it’s likely because there’s only two orchards in the county.
“A lot of people reached out and said, ‘What can we do?’” he said. “And it’s simply come back next year.”
They’re not the only farm that has to make do this season — Forge Hill Orchards in York County lost half of its crop in the April freeze.
Despite that, retail manager Abby Naylor says they’re lucky because they still have a little bit of everything.
“I think the best thing that people can do is just to buy local and help support the farmers that really lost a lot of their stuff.”
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