I support Katie McGinty, but as the editorial makes clear, she is a somewhat flawed candidate, like others that the party establishment recruited or pushed hard to back (Murphy in Florida, the lackluster Strickland in Ohio, or the former Senator at large from the insurance industry, Evan Bayh). This is the product of the tight grip the Clintons had on the party in preparing the presidential campaign. It's also a sign that President Obama --- and race and racism may have contributed to this -- was not able to put his own stamp on the party as effectively as a two-term president normally would. I'm very glad that Senator Sanders is campaigning vigorously and effectively for Secretary Clinton, and I'm certainly supporting her and hoping that she will have the biggest win possible (as well as making big gains in Congress). But, after the election, progressive Democrats will have to push hard but tactically to make sure we don't get the Wikileaks Hillary (the one Thomas Friedman yearned for the other day), and that we certainly don't get a Democratic party that moves headlong to occupy areas on the right being vacated by the rightward collapse of the Republicans. Secretary Clinton's victory should be an opportunity for Democrats to reclaim a reasonably populist message that clearly many Americans have been looking for. Picking off a few homeless elites on the edge of the Republican party is not the way to go.
4
I voted for Fedderman in the PA Senate primary. Now THAT'S a cool dude. Check out his TED talk.
3
The real shame here is that the Democratic Party invested so heavily in helping McGinty defeat Sestak in the primary. I get the concern that Sestak does not always "caucus well with others." But he would have been a far more difficult opponent for Toomey. This race shouldn't be close. As a Democrat, though, I don't see McGinty campaigning across the state.
4
Disappointed Joe Sestak isn't the candidate, but will vote McGinty to get Toomey out of office.
10
Alas, what's a Democrat and liberal to do. McGinty is loathsome. Toomey is self-serving.
Joe Sestak was the superior Democratic candidate by more than a little.
Joe Sestak was the superior Democratic candidate by more than a little.
19
At the end of the article, the words "rubber-stamp" appear. I think they pretty much summarize The Times' endorsement of another liberal Democrat.
9
This is a contest that distills all the causes of voter cynicism. Toomey may be the least unacceptable Republican, but he's still beholden to the party that declared its mission to make the current President fail. I'm still trying to figure out how that's not treason.
Katie McGinty seems to be the Rendell-Schumer's alternative to a well-prepared Joe Sestak who had the gaul to think independently. I fear that with party influence getting her past the primary and a horrendous choice at the top of the Republican ticket, McGinty is going to ascend to a position well above her skills. This is uncomfortably similar to the way we got Kathleen Kane as State Attorney General. I'll probably vote for McGinty because Toomey still can't be counted on to make an honest vote on a Supreme Court justice. But I don't like either choice.
Katie McGinty seems to be the Rendell-Schumer's alternative to a well-prepared Joe Sestak who had the gaul to think independently. I fear that with party influence getting her past the primary and a horrendous choice at the top of the Republican ticket, McGinty is going to ascend to a position well above her skills. This is uncomfortably similar to the way we got Kathleen Kane as State Attorney General. I'll probably vote for McGinty because Toomey still can't be counted on to make an honest vote on a Supreme Court justice. But I don't like either choice.
11
No one should forget that Pat Toomey is responsible for a great deal of the current dysfunction in government. As President of the Club for Growth, he attacked and targeted moderate republicans who reached across the aisle, built consensus, and got things done in the best interest of the country. Additionally, he is an ally of the tea party on most issues. In interviews and commercials, he comes across as genial and cordial, but he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. His views are well to the right of most Pennsylvania residents. I understand the concerns of Sestak supporters, but anyone who sits out this election or withholds a vote for McGinty risks continued dysfunction in the Senate.
42
A Pa. resident for life, born 1949, I grew up and matured with the memory of two distinctive GOP senators that were both moderates. Moderate in the sense that both were social moderates as well as being conservative on financial issues. These men were Hugh Scott and John Heinz. Both were not anti-labor. They knew that to be elected in Pa. this is the value system needed to gain the support of the people.
Enter Rick Santorum. His ultra right conservative and staunch religious values ultimately led to his removal from office. The moderate values of most Pennsylvanians eventually elected Casey, a moderate Democrat.
Let the citizens of Pa. vote to once again remove the right wing out of office and vote McGinty.
However let me share with all of you that the ultra-conservative Pa. legislature continues to do harm to our state and voters need to move the balance back to the moderate centrist side to move ahead with a constructive Commonwealth.
Enter Rick Santorum. His ultra right conservative and staunch religious values ultimately led to his removal from office. The moderate values of most Pennsylvanians eventually elected Casey, a moderate Democrat.
Let the citizens of Pa. vote to once again remove the right wing out of office and vote McGinty.
However let me share with all of you that the ultra-conservative Pa. legislature continues to do harm to our state and voters need to move the balance back to the moderate centrist side to move ahead with a constructive Commonwealth.
37
This editorial omits the two most damning positions of Toomey senate career: his stand against raising the debt ceiling in 2011, and his vote against implementation of the Kyoto protocol.
25
This Senate race is a key reason why people need to travel to PA to canvas for the Dems. Even if the presidential race looks like it will go to Hillary by a comfortable margin, this Senate race could decide the balance of power in that legislative chamber; and the race could come down to only a relatively small number of votes.
17
I agree that McGinty is a better choice than Toomey. That said, had the Democrats backed Admiral Sestak, who lost to Toomey by just 1% during the red wave that was the 2012 election, the contest wouldn't even be close. Switching to a first time candidate because Sestak didn't tow the party line well enough distanced me from the Democratic Party however. Can't vote for Toomey, but will be more considerate before voting straight Democrat in the future.
23
Katie McGinty is the best choice because she understands the global warming issue. It is clear the US needs to be reinvented to take on the greatest challenge that the US has experienced since WWII: the shift of the economy from fossil energy to other sources. Katie, is informed on global warming. Pennsylvania's industries are at the epicenter of the political and economic seismic shock of making this shift.
Katie can jump into the argument and insure that the enormous wealth and job creating potential of this shift will benefit the large number of households that have been negatively impacted by the technology shift. Pennsylvania has great national assets in its centers of learning and industries & can make a great contribution to the future of the US & all of humankind.
We need to electrify transport. Dr. James Powell, an engineering medalist of the Franklin Institute has written a path-breaking book, "Silent Earth", to describe how we can prosper and improve the quality of life/life expectancy based on using his inventions in superconducting Maglev transport to make our logistics much safer and more efficient by creating very cheap electricity by leading an international effort to place solar cell satellites in space to beam electric power to Earth, this will cause the World to prosper and create markets for US exports and provide cheap electricity to make fuels from air and water, power for a 300 mph, truck transport network that will profitably benefit logistics.
Katie can jump into the argument and insure that the enormous wealth and job creating potential of this shift will benefit the large number of households that have been negatively impacted by the technology shift. Pennsylvania has great national assets in its centers of learning and industries & can make a great contribution to the future of the US & all of humankind.
We need to electrify transport. Dr. James Powell, an engineering medalist of the Franklin Institute has written a path-breaking book, "Silent Earth", to describe how we can prosper and improve the quality of life/life expectancy based on using his inventions in superconducting Maglev transport to make our logistics much safer and more efficient by creating very cheap electricity by leading an international effort to place solar cell satellites in space to beam electric power to Earth, this will cause the World to prosper and create markets for US exports and provide cheap electricity to make fuels from air and water, power for a 300 mph, truck transport network that will profitably benefit logistics.
17
McGinty is not a good candidate--just read the Wikipedia page on her. We don't need her in PA, we need Joe Sestak. I'm a Dem but I won't help elect her because unseating a bad Dem is a lot harder than routing a Republican, and I won't support the crooked machine that got her on the slate. Thanks for nothing, Chuck Schumer.
10
The cure for civil ignorance lies in...Wikipedia.
10
N Y Times, where were you in 2010 when Joe Sestak was running neck and neck with Pat Toomey?
17
Want to know what the real question is: Where were all the Democratic voters who stayed home in PA in 2010? Had they gotten out to vote, Toomey wouldn't even be in office--but because Obama wasn't exactly the kind of "liberal" they were hoping for, they stayed home and let the lunatic tea party candidates win (and not only in PA).
THAT'S the question.
THAT'S the question.
28
I'm not going to vote for someone who played any part in last year's PA House budget disaster. Poorer school districts went bankrupt after nine months of zero funding, and some teachers were working for no pay or half pay. Only 30 PA politicians refused their pay during that time. Small non-profits were forced to close. McGinty then quit before this disaster was over.
She has always taken the easy road. I'm told that she has held an elected office, but her own campaign website does not mention this. Every position McGinty has ever held has been handed to her. McGinty graduated from law school, but she never took the bar. When pressed on her claim that police bureaus have endorsed her candidacy, McGinty could not. That's because only one group has--the Pittsburgh Port Authority Police, a group of 34 officers. And that was greatly misrepresented on Twitter when her campaign attempted to repair the awkward silence that ensued during the debate after Toomey pressed her on which police organizations had endorsed her.
She is no friend to the people. McGinty may have a working class background, but you wouldn't know it from her lifestyle today. If people thought we needed someone to stand up for the little guy, they should have voted for John Fetterman in the Democratic primaries.
Toomey is no prize, but McGinty does not have the mental stamina to be a US Senator.
She has always taken the easy road. I'm told that she has held an elected office, but her own campaign website does not mention this. Every position McGinty has ever held has been handed to her. McGinty graduated from law school, but she never took the bar. When pressed on her claim that police bureaus have endorsed her candidacy, McGinty could not. That's because only one group has--the Pittsburgh Port Authority Police, a group of 34 officers. And that was greatly misrepresented on Twitter when her campaign attempted to repair the awkward silence that ensued during the debate after Toomey pressed her on which police organizations had endorsed her.
She is no friend to the people. McGinty may have a working class background, but you wouldn't know it from her lifestyle today. If people thought we needed someone to stand up for the little guy, they should have voted for John Fetterman in the Democratic primaries.
Toomey is no prize, but McGinty does not have the mental stamina to be a US Senator.
5
Reasonable argument, but if you want to talk budget disasters, does Toomey and the debt ceiling ring any bells?
13
Get rid of fascist corporate lackey unAmerican unpatriotic Republican't Toomey. What a waste. Nothing good there nor ever!
Take back the Senate and House 2016 and then no more Corporations United, Heller, McCutchenson, Walmart, obstructionism, filibusters, bigotry, racism, etc.
Tell ALL you know to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove corporate lackey unAmerican unpatriotic Toomey as well as ALL Republican'ts like McCain and Rubio and Portman and Grassley et al so far down that they will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they belong. Bar none!
Take back the Senate and House 2016 and then no more Corporations United, Heller, McCutchenson, Walmart, obstructionism, filibusters, bigotry, racism, etc.
Tell ALL you know to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove corporate lackey unAmerican unpatriotic Toomey as well as ALL Republican'ts like McCain and Rubio and Portman and Grassley et al so far down that they will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they belong. Bar none!
11
Toomey has been part of the obstruction in Congress. Most recently, he decided not to do his job of working to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Now, he won't say if he supports Trump. If we want Congress to actually get something done, Toomey and other representatives like him have to go. I admire Elizabeth Warren and wish PA could have a Senator like her. Toomey is the anti-Warren.
17
'Our own take is that she has an independent streak that would place her state’s interests before party fealty." But shouldn't she place the country's interests before anything else?
3
Let's see ... McGinty is anti-gun, pro-healthcare, pro-environment, pro-choice and has a jaundiced view of Wall Street freebooters. Meanwhile, Toomey is anti-consumer protection, pro-polluter, anti-healthcare and is planning to vote for Trump. Hillary will a Senate that is a partner for progress, not an obstacle beholden to special interests. A donation is on its way to McGinty with my good wishes.
17
I have written to Pat Toomey numerous times, most recently about the failure of the Senate to hold confirmation hearings for Merrick Garland. I have never gotten a response that even came close to addressing the concerns expressed in my letters. Katie McGinty has my vote because I think that she will actually work for her constituency (even the Red counties) instead of knuckling under to the alleged leadership. I am appalled at the dereliction of duty of Mitch McCaonnell, and the willingness of the rest of the Republican senators to to follow his lead in doing nothing but obstructing the governance of this country.
26
Yes, this is why I sent her a small donation, even though I'm not from her state. She could use more help from concerned Democrats, around the country. Let's take back Congress, and start making some progress for a change. Vote KATIE MCGINTY, Senate, from Pennsylvania!
15
Pat Toomey is too goofy for Pennsylvania. Joe Sestak should have beat him last time. Voters in the Keystone State have an opportunity to correct their error.
13
Since this is the NYT's only one further point is missing, she is a democrat. Perhaps Katie is the better candidate, but the NYT's lack of objectivity regarding political parties demands you also look elsewhere before deciding. I hope the people of PA go out in hordes to vote. I also hope the Times gets some editors. You are talking about only two candidates here. Use the comparative, "Better Choice", not the superlative, "Best Choice". This is easy.
6
Senator Toomey, as I expressed just yesterday, is an empty-suit political coward. He is lauded for his "bravery" when co-sponsoring legislation to strengthen background checks following Sandy Hook, with no illusions to the fact that his political brethren would stop at nothing to prevent such legislation from passing. This is not bravery, this is coincidence and convenience.
What is good for Toomey is good for you, but what is good for you is not necessarily good for Toomey, and he will certainly not stand up for anything that isn't good for him as well. And now, he has the audacity to pretend that he is once again leading by brave example by not openly endorsing Trump. But a non-decision is just that, and it is again a matter of convenience, where fear of the repercussions of joining his GOP colleagues in embracing Trump is clearly the only thing stopping him from doing so. Toomey attempts and wishes to implement Trumpian/Neo-Republican legislation, but plays dumb when correlations are drawn. Moderate Congressional Republicans cower while the new Right endeavors to preserve the last vestiges of a 1950's America while burning down the rest around them.
There is a reason why Toomey won by 1% of the vote in 2010. Senator Toomey took no steps to risk his own position of power until that position was threatened by the likes of Ms. McGinty. I am ashamed that he received my vote in 2010. I am glad that I get the chance now to right my wrong. I hope PA will follow.
What is good for Toomey is good for you, but what is good for you is not necessarily good for Toomey, and he will certainly not stand up for anything that isn't good for him as well. And now, he has the audacity to pretend that he is once again leading by brave example by not openly endorsing Trump. But a non-decision is just that, and it is again a matter of convenience, where fear of the repercussions of joining his GOP colleagues in embracing Trump is clearly the only thing stopping him from doing so. Toomey attempts and wishes to implement Trumpian/Neo-Republican legislation, but plays dumb when correlations are drawn. Moderate Congressional Republicans cower while the new Right endeavors to preserve the last vestiges of a 1950's America while burning down the rest around them.
There is a reason why Toomey won by 1% of the vote in 2010. Senator Toomey took no steps to risk his own position of power until that position was threatened by the likes of Ms. McGinty. I am ashamed that he received my vote in 2010. I am glad that I get the chance now to right my wrong. I hope PA will follow.
13
Sounds like neither of the candidates are very qualified to be a Senator.
3
I've been waiting for the opportunity to vote out Toomey for many years. Following Sandy Hook I attempted to speak with him several times, only to be brushed off by a staffer.
His support of Trump has been appalling and women in PA should realize (if they haven't already) that he doesn't represent us.
His support of Trump has been appalling and women in PA should realize (if they haven't already) that he doesn't represent us.
23
As in the federal election and so many states, Pennsylvanians face a choice between a Democratic corporate neoliberal (McGinty, who had the support of the DNC, over the more independent, progressive Democrat Admiral Joe Sestak) vs. a Republican, obstructionist, do-nothing corporate neoliberal (Toomey, who has fallen in lockstep with Mitch McConnell and the rest of the GOP Senate caucus).
Whoever wins, Wall Street and global corporations will be the biggest winners, but then there are the seemingly small but crucial considerations like the Supreme Court, international treaties, etc., which McGinty, despite her past problems, would probably be the better choice to have representing Pennsylvanians. (Toomey, abrogating his Constitutional duty, couldn't even be bothered to push for a vote up-or-down on President Obama's nominee, the moderate justice Merrick Garland!)
Do you vote for a do-a-little-something (but probably not everything the 99% wants and needs) Democrat or a do-absolutely-nothing (except plot and plan for Wall Street and billionaires) Republican? The choice is clear: McGinty.
Whoever wins, Wall Street and global corporations will be the biggest winners, but then there are the seemingly small but crucial considerations like the Supreme Court, international treaties, etc., which McGinty, despite her past problems, would probably be the better choice to have representing Pennsylvanians. (Toomey, abrogating his Constitutional duty, couldn't even be bothered to push for a vote up-or-down on President Obama's nominee, the moderate justice Merrick Garland!)
Do you vote for a do-a-little-something (but probably not everything the 99% wants and needs) Democrat or a do-absolutely-nothing (except plot and plan for Wall Street and billionaires) Republican? The choice is clear: McGinty.
15
In the absence of the countervailing power of unions and public interest groups in this time of big money uber alles, your description is apt, unfortunately.
4
Come on Good People of Pennsylvania. We need you to help put the Senate into democrat/independent socially conscious hands. VOTE!
Go Get 'Em, Ms. Katie McGinty!
Go Get 'Em, Ms. Katie McGinty!
27
We're on it!
10
Toomey himself is a "rubber stamp" for the obstructionist GOP. He must go!
42
I'm voting for McGinty but I would have preferred Joe Sestak who refused to be run by the dem machine. Just as I am voting for Hillary, but I would have far and away preferred to be casting my ballot for Bernie Sanders, who I still support whole-heartedly.
23
I grew up, and returned after college, and lived for 25 years in south-central PA, an area of the state that will vote for the devil as long as he has an "R" behind his name (as my grandmother used to say.) I continue getting mail for my dead father-in-law, a died-in-the-wool, country club Republican. I have asked them to remove his name as he has died, and they were mailing them to Vermont! I remember when we moved away, to CT to start a new life, I continued voting, via absentee ballot as we had not sold the house and still maintained the address. I know I helped vote-out Rick Santorum. I wish I could help elect Katie McGinty.
19
So you committed voter fraud ... another corrupt Democrat who belongs in jail with Hillary Clinton.
4
Uh oh, the Republicans are going to use your comment to support their claims of voting fraud.
4
Why bother with any pretense of evaluating candidates beyond their party affiliation? Who does The Times Editorial Board think it is fooling? The Editorial Board should just write "we endorse [fill in the name], because he/she is a Democrat." Most readers of The Times know that is what is really being expressed in these editorial endorsements.
9
Tony, maybe you should read the Wall Street Journal. Oh never mind, Donald Trump is such a abysmal candidate that the right wingers at the WSJ can't even endorse the republican this year.
7
Since I don't like Chuckie Schumer and I am disgusted with Fast Eddie Rendell, I have great difficulty considering their annointed candidate Katie McGinty as suitable. She defeated the superior candidate, Sestak, using money instead of quality in the primary, and this rankles. Toomey isn't much, but McGinty isn't anything.
17
Elwood--I agree with you about Schumer. He's a traitor to the Democratic party, and the president, and should go, but let's deal with that, later. FIRST, let's take back Congress, then we'll sweep out the bums of the party, Schumer can be first. After we elect Democrats, I propose keeping an eye on them.
6
Given John McCain's promise to block any Supreme Court nominee President Clinton proposes, and the fact that if the Republicans keep the Senate they won't even allow a vote on those nominees, Toomey is TOO much.
11
Chuck Schumer is a nightmare, and Fast Eddie Rendell is 100 times worse. But hold your nose and vote for McGinty anyway, because she is 1000 times better than Toomey.
6
While I agree that Pat Toomey is not the best choice for Pennsylvanians, I think that the portrayal of Katie McGinty in this editorial is slightly misleading. The NYT depicts McGinty as someone with "working-class roots" who can understand the struggles of the average Pennsylvanian and Toomey as a wealthy Wall Street elitist, but both of them are currently millionaires (a characterization that neither side disputed during their first debate). Furthermore, the NYT speaks generally about her environmental record and her push for the use of cleaner energy sources, but they don't mention that she was also once a policy advisor (or lobbyist, depending on who you ask) for a law firm representing the pharmaceutical company Glaxo Wellcome when it was fighting the EPA's restriction on chloroflourocarbon, which has a negative impact on the ozone. I think that both McGinty and Toomey leave much to be desired.
5
There are no pure choices to make this year in close races
Ms. McGinty is far less horrible.
Unless you are willing to accept a Supreme Court composed of five justices.
Ms. McGinty is far less horrible.
Unless you are willing to accept a Supreme Court composed of five justices.
6
Toomey ads have the sleazy quality of a standard conservative attack ad - complex issues broken down to ignorantly simplistic talking points, quotes taken wildly out of context, pictures of his opponent photoshopped to look unflattering. He's a lowbrow Republican, supported by the worst of us. I can't wait to vote against him.
24
Plus the name-calling. Enough with it. Repeatedly calling her "Shady Katie McGinty" in his TV commercials and web ads (for the Philly paper) is not going to win my vote.
4
I Strongly support Katie McGinty and really dislike Toomey's commercials. I have been at an event where Katie McGinty spoke and she was well-spoken and covered many of the issues she advocating in this campaign. Her support for women (and reproductive health), education, renewable energy, working people, unions and the environment are all issues which I agree with her about.
18
Let's not forget the role Toomey played on the 2011 Super Committee, where he insisted on making permanent the Bush tax cuts and whereby the committee's failure ultimately led to the government sequester.
Let's not forget he voted not to raise the debt ceiling.
And let's not ignore his not-so-subtle dog whistles about support for militarizing of the police when "riots were destroying OUR cities."
I support Katie McGinty wholeheartedly.
Let's not forget he voted not to raise the debt ceiling.
And let's not ignore his not-so-subtle dog whistles about support for militarizing of the police when "riots were destroying OUR cities."
I support Katie McGinty wholeheartedly.
18
Nothing would please me more than to have Hillary win the White House and the Democrats take back the Senate but the road to that in Pennsylvania is over the many rocks of of angry old white men and through the apathy of many young voters. I will once again do some polling work but I do not look forward to it. Most voters have made up their minds but the winning strategy is to chip away at those who think little of the power of their vote and motivate them enough to get up and vote. Democracy can be a pain but the upside beats the alternatives. By what is spent on campaigns I would guess each vote is worth around $20.00 and each undecided vote is worth around $300. Vote!
10
I moved to Fan Francisco from Pittsburgh PA about twenty years ago. PA used to have a vibrant and moderate Republican Party (pre-reagan) Although a Democrat, I split my ballot to vote for men like John Heinz, Dick Thornburgh, and even the pre-crazy period Arlen Specter. I would never have voted for the likes of Toomey.
I have some some hope that the 2016 elections may be the catalyst that starts the political pendulum swinging back toward the "left" and finally back to a sane oscillation between the center-right and center-left with no wild swings in either direction. However, I am not holding my breath.
I have some some hope that the 2016 elections may be the catalyst that starts the political pendulum swinging back toward the "left" and finally back to a sane oscillation between the center-right and center-left with no wild swings in either direction. However, I am not holding my breath.
15
Toomey was one of the 47 senators who signed the letter to Iranian leaders against the nuclear deal. To be against the deal is one thing, but to send a letter to a foreign leader with wrong information about how our government works is quite another.
Mitch McConnell is a craven political hack and it is imperative that the Dems take back the majority so the GOP will know that We the People reject the politics of obstruction and the gross disrespect that GOP leaders have shown for the Constitution, American voters, and for President Obama.
Mitch McConnell is a craven political hack and it is imperative that the Dems take back the majority so the GOP will know that We the People reject the politics of obstruction and the gross disrespect that GOP leaders have shown for the Constitution, American voters, and for President Obama.
49
Toomey has done nothing during his 6 years in the Senate other than stand shoulder to shoulder with the obstructionists of his party; his refusal to say if he is voting for Trump after this hideous campaign is a perfect example of how this man looks out for himself and not for his constituents. I'm with her. And her.
24
The only thing she seems to be interested in is to make the taxpayers fund Planned Parenthood and other sexist issues.
The Editorial Board should concentrate more and returning the NYT to its old practice of separating news from opinion.
The Editorial Board should concentrate more and returning the NYT to its old practice of separating news from opinion.
5
"Taxpeyers fund Planned Parenthood' is just silly. You mean she wants women to be able to pay for their health care with Medicaid dollars, if they're eligible, at Planned Parenthood as at any other normal care provider. It's not a giveaway--but Republicans seem to need to use deceptive phrasing to make their case.
6
Perhaps you didn't notice that this piece is in the Opinion Pages of the NYT??
2
I would think the reproductive health of women is a family issue.
Checkups that cause earlier intervention can save health dollars for all.
Checkups that cause earlier intervention can save health dollars for all.
6
The trumptoomey ads in our state attacking Katie are 100% fiction. There is a particularly gross one about the Iran deal that claims McGinty wants Iran to have nuclear weapons and missiles to attack us. Every single claim is a lie.
Her ads simply intercut toomey and trump speaking, saying exactly the same things.
Republicans know they must lie to stand a chance because no one actually wants what they really want to do.
Her ads simply intercut toomey and trump speaking, saying exactly the same things.
Republicans know they must lie to stand a chance because no one actually wants what they really want to do.
16
As an outsider (NY'er) who assists the Dems with their national campaign efforts, the present view as of today it unfortunately appears as if McGinty does not have the traction to win. There is a better chance that Ayotte can be beaten in NH.
Lets hope that something unanticipated occurs in PA between now and election day that may push McGinty over the top. A Dem surge would make her Senator 51 and turn the Senate.
Lets hope that something unanticipated occurs in PA between now and election day that may push McGinty over the top. A Dem surge would make her Senator 51 and turn the Senate.
13
I think the thing about this campaign that bothers me the most is that Pat Toomey's ads against Katie McGinty have been cut from times when she was enthusiastically talking to a crowd. The vile ads show her with her mouth wide open almost bearing her teeth, screeching at a crowd and grinning with her head thrown back. Taken out of context, they make her look like she's a lunatic baying at the moon. Her ads don't do him this injustice. They show him with his glasses in his hand or are portrait-style. Toomey's message is clear-she's one of those unstable, emotional women and you wouldn't want that to represent you. Toomey's misogynistic attempts have fallen flat with me and, I hope, with other PA voters as well.
149
If I were a Republican, I would not be surprised much that The times is supporting a Democrat over a well connected senator like Toomey, but he is badly compromised by his ties with the banks who pull stunts like they did in 2008, or like what Wells Fargo was doing, ripping off its customers. He came in with the 2010 wave election, which I believe helped greatly to further polarize the country's politics by electing so many very far right reactionaries, unused to the normal centrist give and take that makes government work. These are the people that so disgusted Boehner, until he threw up his hand and quit, leaving the country a parting present of a budget deal the scorched earthers bitterly opposed. Toomey is smarter than most of his fellow 2000 Wavers, but he carries water for the vested interests who screw the middle class- and he does it skillfully. A smart guy up to no good can be more dangerous than an incompetent fool with a pitchfork. Toomey is far to the right of most Pennsylvania voters, and he should be thrown out, before he does more damage. He's already a poster boy for Citizens United, but with the dark money, the voters will never know who has bought him until he votes on a bill.
98
I've written to Senator Toomey twice regarding the Senate's failure to give Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, a hearing. The responses I've received from him don't even pass the red face test.
Katie McGinty has my vote.
Katie McGinty has my vote.
150
This mirrors my experience. Both times I got a cut-and-paste response about how it should be up to the next president to decide who to nominate to the supreme court - nothing more mouthing the words from Senate leader Mitch McConnell. I'm a Pennsylvania voter, not a Kentucky voter. I want my representative to do his job, not be a rubber stamp for McConnell.
20
As someone who is unfamiliar with PA politics, it seems unfortunate that neither of our two parties seem to field candidates that represent the people of their states/districts. The ethics of both major parties are deplorable.
I am an independent who supported Bernie. I hope the movement he started in fielding candidates at the state and local levels that are not bought and paid for by special interests using money diverted to them by these same candidates does not die. Given the short attention span and ignorance fostered by the two parties, however, I won't hold my breath.
That said, because we live in a system in which majority leaders in both the House and Senate demand party fealty above the interests of the members' constituents, and because the obstruction and utter moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party, I will hold my nose and vote for a straight Democratic ticket until such time as the wrongs foisted upon us by the likes of McConnell an Ryan are undone.
It is sad when your best choice is an ethically challenged candidate, but the alternative will continue to drive this country off a cliff just so they can maintain power. I will not stay home, as the lesser of two evils is still better than the greater!
I am an independent who supported Bernie. I hope the movement he started in fielding candidates at the state and local levels that are not bought and paid for by special interests using money diverted to them by these same candidates does not die. Given the short attention span and ignorance fostered by the two parties, however, I won't hold my breath.
That said, because we live in a system in which majority leaders in both the House and Senate demand party fealty above the interests of the members' constituents, and because the obstruction and utter moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party, I will hold my nose and vote for a straight Democratic ticket until such time as the wrongs foisted upon us by the likes of McConnell an Ryan are undone.
It is sad when your best choice is an ethically challenged candidate, but the alternative will continue to drive this country off a cliff just so they can maintain power. I will not stay home, as the lesser of two evils is still better than the greater!
18
"An ethically challenged candidate..." Why is this phrase so often stuck to Hillary? I'm not sure how you define ethics, but I define it as, doing what is right for the good of all, as the guidepost in your actions. We all fail at that from time time; and when we do, we acknowledge, apologize, and try to do better next time. But I would posit that Trump never does what is right for the good of anyone but himself all the time. There's your ethically challenged candidate.
10
If anything this elite ivory tower, New York Times Editorial Board endorsement helps Senator Toomey. Thanks!
9
Really? Not for me.
6
In PA, McGinty would be so much better, and let's all pray she wins! But PA has rampant sexism, and Toomey represents "good old boys" corrupt business as usual, in the Penn State mode. But it would mean so much to PA if McGinty won, maybe even more than Hillary winning, because Toomey would keep PA in the dark ages, where, in so many areas, particularly on the environment and in rural areas, it remains.
28
Katie McGinty is the superior choice by far. She knows how to actually get things done. She has our solid support. The editorial gives solid reasons as to why.
37
Considering how certain Republicans in the senate have ignored the Constitution (i.e., "advise and consent" for a presidents nomination to the USSC), may the election move the senate from red to blue for a change.
48
I am voting Libertarian.
2
Then why bother to vote at all. America needs better than voters who refuse to do whatever is necessary to move the country forward. A vote for the libertarian candidate, Aleppo, anyone?, is the equivalent of do nothing at all.
7
I applaud this editorial from NYT and happily contribute to this discourse. McGinty is the clear choice for the reasons you describe.
Toomey is on record for not only wanting to defund Planned Parenthood, but to actually criminalize abortion.
Here's another thing that shows just how specious his campaign has been- he has pretty much been a Tea party rubber stamp- but his TV campaign ads just talk about how he bucked his own party with background checks for guns- the ONE time he acted responsibly- and he shows this one example of how independent he is. Toomey only talks about the one time he actually did the right thing and voted with the Dems- not about the other 99% of the time he voted with his party. Moreover, he has a perfect rating with the NRA- but he doesn't mention that. It's ironic that his one claim to fame is when he did the right thing and voted with the Dems. Pa. is looking to get rid of Toomey next month.
Toomey is on record for not only wanting to defund Planned Parenthood, but to actually criminalize abortion.
Here's another thing that shows just how specious his campaign has been- he has pretty much been a Tea party rubber stamp- but his TV campaign ads just talk about how he bucked his own party with background checks for guns- the ONE time he acted responsibly- and he shows this one example of how independent he is. Toomey only talks about the one time he actually did the right thing and voted with the Dems- not about the other 99% of the time he voted with his party. Moreover, he has a perfect rating with the NRA- but he doesn't mention that. It's ironic that his one claim to fame is when he did the right thing and voted with the Dems. Pa. is looking to get rid of Toomey next month.
50
Yep. We get the same ads for Mark Kirk in IL. He's trying to show how independent he is from the Tea Partiers that put him into office, by not backing Trump (gee, you made one smart decision in your entire career). Now if we can figure out how to get rid of some the Tea Party Congressional members in this state...
6
What a shocker - NYT endorses Democrat!
Kindly keep your Upper East Side views out of Pennsylvania politics.
Kindly keep your Upper East Side views out of Pennsylvania politics.
17
In the extremely rare cases that Republicans field a decent candidate, they get endorsed.
Consensus is not conspiracy
Consensus is not conspiracy
"Upper East Side views" ? FYI, although still in the minority, there is a higher percentage of Republican voters in this wealthy neighborhood than in any other part of Manhattan. Guess it sounds nice though, reverse snobbery wise.
As a Pennsylvania voter and subscriber I welcome the input.
As a Pennsylvania voter and subscriber I welcome the input.
1
Pennsylvania politics can use all the help it can get.
Toomey needs to go. Maybe he's responsive to registered Republicans, but he's needed to realize he needs to be responsible to all Pennsylvanians. He's not.
Toomey needs to go. Maybe he's responsive to registered Republicans, but he's needed to realize he needs to be responsible to all Pennsylvanians. He's not.
3
I'm old enough to remember when a senator from Maine was the only woman.....and only because she took her dead husband's seat.
I'm not old enough to remember the first US woman representative, but I did go to law school near where she moved to GA and we often drove past her farm on the way to cocktail parties at Charlie Williams' Lodge.
I wish I can live to see 50% of the people in congress as women. And of course, one in charge of this nation.
I'm not old enough to remember the first US woman representative, but I did go to law school near where she moved to GA and we often drove past her farm on the way to cocktail parties at Charlie Williams' Lodge.
I wish I can live to see 50% of the people in congress as women. And of course, one in charge of this nation.
20
I've tried to like Toomey. I really have.
But when he tries over and over to hew to the Republican orthodoxy that has *not* worked; when he continues his tacit support for Trump (while mouthing the words that he doesn't) and refusing to disavow Trump, the most unqualified person ever to seek the Presidency, I can't support Toomey
But when he tries over and over to hew to the Republican orthodoxy that has *not* worked; when he continues his tacit support for Trump (while mouthing the words that he doesn't) and refusing to disavow Trump, the most unqualified person ever to seek the Presidency, I can't support Toomey
42
We love her in Pennsylvania. Nice to see you New York folks like her too.
40
Toomey is yet another wealthy older white male whose main legislative focus is to block women's access to healthcare (what happens when you repeal Obamacare and defund Planned Parenthood) and deny their autonomy regarding reproduction decision making (repealing Roe v Wade). I don't agree with his positions, but the fact that he refused to do his job regarding replacement of Justice Scalia was the straw for me.
55
We Democrats surely hope Ms. McGinty will defeat Toomey. Let's hope we can take back the Senate.
Thank you for the endorsement.
Thank you for the endorsement.
42
Thank you, NYT for publishing this important and accurate endorsement. Katie McGinty is, by far the superior choice for this seat. She has both federal and state government experience. She was a Dem. candidate in the PA gubernatorial primary election. During that whole campaign, she was always positive, well-informed and a refreshing touch to the political process. She always stayed above personal attacks and after the election of Gov. Tom Wolf, she became his chief of staff until entering the Senate race. Pat Toomey has been nothing but a rubber stamp for everything far right and deserves to be a one-term senator.
37
This is a glaring example of this paper's bias. The Editorial Board has no legitimate justification for injecting itself into a Senate race that is not for a seat in New York. What's next? An across the board endorsement of all Democrats running for a contested seat.
9
As a news source that is consulted by intelligent people throughout the country, the NY Times is right to advocate for candidates in any state who will play such a key role in allowing President Clinton's agenda to be implemented.
And of course nothing is more important than a Senate that will honor her choices for the US Supreme Court.
And of course nothing is more important than a Senate that will honor her choices for the US Supreme Court.
3
In reply to @ GREG K. Troy, MI
In answer to your final question: We can only hope.....
In answer to your final question: We can only hope.....
I see no reason why the NYT cannot endorse a candidate in a Pennsylvania election, when the NYT obviously has readers in Pennsylvania, as these comments amply demonstrate.
The NYT has as least as much right to an opinion on a Pennsylvania election as does someone in Michigan.
The NYT has as least as much right to an opinion on a Pennsylvania election as does someone in Michigan.
2
And yet there are millions of middle class PA women who are drawn to white males with authoritarian style and practices who will vote for Trump and Toomey, i.e., totally against their own interests.
In essence they are voting for:
- lower wages for themselves and their neighbors
- tax policies that disfavor their families
- less affordable health care
- expensive and inaccessible college tuition
- open carry gun law and armed teachers in their public schools
- punishment for their daughters if they abort following a rape.
Go figure.
In essence they are voting for:
- lower wages for themselves and their neighbors
- tax policies that disfavor their families
- less affordable health care
- expensive and inaccessible college tuition
- open carry gun law and armed teachers in their public schools
- punishment for their daughters if they abort following a rape.
Go figure.
56
Should the Republicans and Mitch McConnell retain control of the Senate, you might as well chisel off the moniker on the front of the Supreme Court, "Equal Justice Under the Law"! Any, any Democrat or a Bernie Sanders Independent is far, far better for the future of this country than ANY Republican!
19
McGinty is the choice of Washington Democrats, not the public, like all recent Dem picks she is out of touch and a Dinosaur. Toomey owes his position to the Dems forcing Sestak on the public. Don't be susprised if Toomey wins again. Rural schools are funded at less than $15000 per student. Inner cities at more than $20,000 and the Dems insistence with increasing those inner cities budgets will cost them.
9
The funding formula for schools is unfair, but the issue of inequitable school funding is better brought up with our state legislators and Governor than with with our US Senators.
3
Pat Toomey entered the Senate just as Mitch McConnell was stating that making Obama a one-term president would be the sole Republican goal. Total obstruction became the GOP mission. So Toomey then spent the next six years as a senator doing, essentially, nothing. His only accomplishment in office was his role as one of the #47Traitors, a group of full-of-themselves Republican lawmakers who tried to go around Obama and negotiate directly with Iran. Iran laughed at them. I won't be laughing until Toomey is out of the Senate.
78
My advice NYT: Consult the Real Clear Politics web site. ,They have Toomey up by 1.8 points. Its laughable when McGinty does something patently corrupt, its regrettable, but Toomey simply disagrees with your pro abortion views and he's woefully unqualified. Face it, Hillary will have a Republican House and Senate do deal with, and the counrtry will be far better off.
7
What, *exactly* has McGinty done that is (in your words) "patently corrupt' other than have the gall to run against Toomey?
2
"He is anti-abortion and voted to defund Planned Parenthood."
Worse than that. For years he has agitated to have physicians who perform abortions, for whatever cause, prosecuted and imprisoned.
In his favor, he is responsive to emails sent to him by PA residents. I received one in reply to my concern about manufacturing jobs being exported. In that he defended job export by noting that it made manufactured items less expensive to buy.
He also emails us daily, sometimes more than once a day, begging for campaign funds. HIS opponent, too, is seen as a "horrible" WOMAN.
Worse than that. For years he has agitated to have physicians who perform abortions, for whatever cause, prosecuted and imprisoned.
In his favor, he is responsive to emails sent to him by PA residents. I received one in reply to my concern about manufacturing jobs being exported. In that he defended job export by noting that it made manufactured items less expensive to buy.
He also emails us daily, sometimes more than once a day, begging for campaign funds. HIS opponent, too, is seen as a "horrible" WOMAN.
72
A real shocker! The NYT Editorial Board endorses a Democrat.
8
Toovey was my congressman when I lived in Souderton. He was always on the side of the corporations and against working people. He is the worst example of a cross between an Ayn Rand disciple and a crony capitalist/Tea Party wing nut.
I've met Katie McGinty. She may not have polish, but she has style ! She makes you feel like she is "one of us". The fact that she supports "the fight for $15.00 minimum wage" is an example.
I've met Katie McGinty. She may not have polish, but she has style ! She makes you feel like she is "one of us". The fact that she supports "the fight for $15.00 minimum wage" is an example.
68
Let's not forget Toomey's refusal to consider Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court. With Toomey, it's party line all the way and forget about the constituents that put him in office.
91
Ties to Wall Street big sin. What was Hilary Clinton getting paid for speech by Goldman? Do you even realize how partisan the paper is? A day earlier you talk about the editor heir apparent being more inclusive to everyone not just the left and then you write this. As usual their is no action backing up your words.
7
I'm curious. Has the NYTs ever endorsed a Republican?
6
If not they should consider endorsing Maryland's republican Governor Larry Hogan in 2018.
Bloomberg comes to mind
2
Cjmesq0
Yes. And you would know that if you did a modicum of research. Eisenhower, Wilkie, Taft and Dewey immediately come to mind.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/09/23/opinion/presidential-endor...
Yes. And you would know that if you did a modicum of research. Eisenhower, Wilkie, Taft and Dewey immediately come to mind.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/09/23/opinion/presidential-endor...
2
I take no issue with this headline or the conclusion McGinty is the better of the two candidates.
But best does not mean good. Please do not characterize an anti-environmental lobbyist, who fought MD in its efforts to preserve its environment for its citizens, which is what she did when not in office, as a great environmentalist. As for her ethical issues, the PA Supreme Court ruled her actions unethical -- this behavior was much more than an "unfortunate" slip. NPR's characterized her as displaying the worst revolving door career, leaving the public office she held to immediately jump into the arms of the very entities she had regulated when in office. Very unsavory.
Sadly Schumer and McGinty conspired to make sure PA did not have a honorable superlative candidate (one with a sterling pro-environment record, the best of the PA delegation) by running an onslaught of false ads against Sestak in the final week of the Dem primary claiming Sestak, who had resolutely voted to support Social Security while a representative, favored undermining Social Security and by blackmailing organizations that had financially supported Sestak to cut him off from his financial support in the final week of the campaign, using DSCC funds that should have been applied to defeating Toomey to run lying ads against Sestak.
Schumer could not bear to have a senator who thinks for himself, so he did everything he could to knock out Sestak and make sure he had a puppet without an original thought.
But best does not mean good. Please do not characterize an anti-environmental lobbyist, who fought MD in its efforts to preserve its environment for its citizens, which is what she did when not in office, as a great environmentalist. As for her ethical issues, the PA Supreme Court ruled her actions unethical -- this behavior was much more than an "unfortunate" slip. NPR's characterized her as displaying the worst revolving door career, leaving the public office she held to immediately jump into the arms of the very entities she had regulated when in office. Very unsavory.
Sadly Schumer and McGinty conspired to make sure PA did not have a honorable superlative candidate (one with a sterling pro-environment record, the best of the PA delegation) by running an onslaught of false ads against Sestak in the final week of the Dem primary claiming Sestak, who had resolutely voted to support Social Security while a representative, favored undermining Social Security and by blackmailing organizations that had financially supported Sestak to cut him off from his financial support in the final week of the campaign, using DSCC funds that should have been applied to defeating Toomey to run lying ads against Sestak.
Schumer could not bear to have a senator who thinks for himself, so he did everything he could to knock out Sestak and make sure he had a puppet without an original thought.
90
Well, the choice we have now is the choice we have now.
But just a reminder: there was a third Democratic candidate for Senate: the Honorable John Fetterman, Mayor of the city of Braddock. The Times has written about him in the past http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/magazine/13Fetterman-t.html
That race would have been a sight for sore eyes; I wish the Times had covered his candidacy.
But just a reminder: there was a third Democratic candidate for Senate: the Honorable John Fetterman, Mayor of the city of Braddock. The Times has written about him in the past http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/magazine/13Fetterman-t.html
That race would have been a sight for sore eyes; I wish the Times had covered his candidacy.
3
I'm with you. I will vote for McGinty because I want the Democrats to retake the majority in the Senate but Joe Sestak would have been a much better Senator for Pennsylvanians. Chuck Schumer--the likely incoming leader of the Democratic Senate Caucus (be he majority or minority leader) is a guy who will ensure that the status quo is preserved at a time when it needs to be disrupted to ensure that Congress works for the People and not just the special interest groups who continue to fund a corrupt political system. I think we know on which side of this question Ms. McGinty--and Mr. Toomey--lie. They stand for business as usual.
6
Amen. I hope this is not the end of Joe Sestak, and also that it marks the rise of John Fetterman, who, while running a distant third, is using the experience to build a broader base that could propel this remarkable mayor who owes no one nothing to state wide office. Leaders of both parties in Pa cannot bring themselves to acknowledge that in the last four years their parties have produced several legislative leaders, as well as a House Speaker and several cabinet members, who are now in jail for the most tawdry of thievery and pettiness. The voters know what is going on and yearn for some fresh air.
9
There are few honorable GOP senators left. Witness the Trump song and dance, the many ways they refuse to refute an obvious erratic incompetent. Worse, they support Trump's dubious ideas, especially showering the 1% with more tax cuts.
I look forward to the Democrats controlling the senate.
I look forward to the Democrats controlling the senate.
131
Honorable Senators today is a contradiction in terms.
5
Ms. McGinty is a very good choice.
59
I've seen McGinty speak twice, and thought she was excellent. Smart, funny, and won me over not just for her grasp of the issues, but that she said "holy mackerel" in her first speech I saw, with just the right touch, and felt that if she could use an old term to mean something new, she had my vote. Quirky yes, but I like quirky.
63
For what it is worth Ms McGinty has three votes from three men in this family.
89
McGinty is a rubber stamp for Clinton?
How about Toomey a rubber stamp former Wall Street employee, BIG BIZ, Boss Donohue's Chamber of Commerce, and last but not least feeding at the trough of the Koch Bros front organizations.
What has he done for the real, human people of Pennsylvania? Notwithstanding, of course, according to Citizens United, corporations are people.
How about Toomey a rubber stamp former Wall Street employee, BIG BIZ, Boss Donohue's Chamber of Commerce, and last but not least feeding at the trough of the Koch Bros front organizations.
What has he done for the real, human people of Pennsylvania? Notwithstanding, of course, according to Citizens United, corporations are people.
169
I have to laugh when Hillary decries Citizens United and says she wants to overturn same.
She lives off of Citizens United. Citizens United is her life blood. Wall Street hedge funds have given her $100M.
Trump has received less than $500,000 from Wall Street.
She lives off of Citizens United. Citizens United is her life blood. Wall Street hedge funds have given her $100M.
Trump has received less than $500,000 from Wall Street.
4
Your comment about Toomey "feeding at the trough of the Koch Bros front organizations" certainly rang true for me. I have been astonished by the amount of vicious and I assume misleading anti-McGinty advertising to which I am being subjected. Large color attack post cards in my mailbox (must be 8 or 10 by now) Attack ads along with the other targeted advertising on websites that I frequent. All this costs money which must be coming from somewhere. If the Koch's hate her so much, that's reason enough for me to vote for her.
What surprises me is how little pro- McGinty advertising I've seen. If the Clinton campaign is serious about helping down-ticket candidates and the prospects for a Democratic majority Senate, here's someplace they could help.
What surprises me is how little pro- McGinty advertising I've seen. If the Clinton campaign is serious about helping down-ticket candidates and the prospects for a Democratic majority Senate, here's someplace they could help.
11
Because they know he'd destroy the economy.
We need Wall Street as well as Main Street. But REGULATED. Clinton's far more likely to make that actually happen.
We need Wall Street as well as Main Street. But REGULATED. Clinton's far more likely to make that actually happen.
10