John Baer
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John Baer
@baerjnews.bsky.social
18 followers 11 following 20 posts
Former political columnist Phila. Daily News, Phila. Inquirer; current columnist Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News/PennLive
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Get ready, America...here come da judges.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
All rise! The U.S. Supreme Court is about to buff up Trump’s ‘Golden Age’ | John Baer
That’s because the nation’s highest court is a super-majority (6 of 9 justices) conservative tribunal inclined to the president’s thinking.
www.pennlive.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
baerjnews.bsky.social
Can an "early bird" start impact next year's Pa. race for governor?

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Pa. Treasurer Garrity’s fast-start challenge to Gov. Shapiro is rare and noteworthy | John Baer
After winning big in 2024, Stacy Garrity announced her run for governor in August, got the GOP’s endorsement, months ahead of time, in September, then did a statewide tour, hitting major media markets...
www.pennlive.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
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Makes one wonder....is PA really turning red?

www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025...
New voter stats show challenges for Pa. Democrats | John Baer
A steady erosion of Democratic registration has, according to the latest state data, altered the state political landscape to the point the two major parties here are now virtually tied.
www.pennlive.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
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Need a vacation? Here's an expert to consult.

www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025...
It looks like J.D. Vance is chasing a vice presidential vacations record | John Baer
It's only August yet since taking office Vance has been on at least nine vacations with his family that have taken him around the world on the taxpayers' dime.
www.pennlive.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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Back at it after a break...here's my latest on the mad, mad world of politics.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
From Pa. to D.C., politicians are making a long, hot summer miserable | John Baer
The Pennsylvania state budget is once again long overdue, compared to the shenanigans in Washington, that's "winning."
www.pennlive.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
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And just when everything everywhere seems to be going so well!

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Pa. continues its march to mediocrity (and beyond) with drop in state rankings | John Baer
U.S News & World Report’s annual ranking of the 50 states once again shows Pennsylvania way down the list – at a dismal #41.
www.pennlive.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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Way too early to talk about this, right? Let's do so anyway.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Shapiro faces short-term tests in possible White House quest | John Baer
While other potential Democratic candidates are out and about, in the news, pushing themselves, Shapiro’s facing months trapped in the hamster wheel of passing a Pennsylvania budget.
www.pennlive.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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And in the category of, `hey, these days anything can happen...'

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Is Donald Trump helping rebuild trust in media? | John Baer
For the first time, more people, including his voters, see in their own lives, with their own eyes, that things he’s saying can’t be trusted.
www.pennlive.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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Have YOU bought gold yet?

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Here’s my new take on Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’ | John Baer
From deportations to the economy and tariffs, Trump's "golden age" has a few woes.
www.pennlive.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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Ahoy, there...have you read...

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Naval Academy book ban is a foolish effort at censorship | John Baer
No Commander-in-Chief should encourage censorship that can restrict understanding, tolerance and knowledge.
www.pennlive.com
April 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
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Doth we protest too much?

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Are ‘Hands Off’ and other public protests against Trump, Musk effective? | John Baer
President Trump may not be listening, but Republicans in Congress could be motivated by sustained protests.
www.pennlive.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
baerjnews.bsky.social
www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025...
After failing in Wisconsin, will Musk bring big money to Pa. elections? | John Baer
Pennsylvania has three Democratic state Supreme Court Justices in yes/no retention elections in November that could flip the court from D to R.
www.pennlive.com
April 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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Trump didn't offer a State of the Union, he offered a state of himself.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
What to make of Trump’s `rally’ to Congress? A divisive speech to a divided country| John Baer
Columnist John Baer writes, partisans take what they want from whatever they hear and read, when maybe, in the words of President Lincoln to Congress: "it's time to rise with the occasion" and think a...
www.pennlive.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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Harrisburg's national standing among capital cities in an embarrassment that needs to be addressed.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Hey, Harrisburg, it’s time to be a better capital city! | John Baer
A plea to the governor and local leaders to find ways to lift Harrisburg out of the bottom tier of capitol cities.
www.pennlive.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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Hey, ya gotta ask questions!

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
I have 5 new questions about Trump’s `Golden Age of America’ | John Baer
From government-gutting to taking over the Kennedy Center, Trump's first month back in office has been highly controversial and more than a bit bumpy.
www.pennlive.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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www.pennlive.com/politics/202...

How whack are things in Washington? Well...
Pennsylvania politics suddenly seems sane. Thanks, D.C. | John Baer
Instead of mayhem, what we have here is a regular routine: Left and right ideologies in a state with divided government once again set to work out differences in how best to govern.
www.pennlive.com
February 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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More attention is needed on the scope, cost and impact of mass deportation.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Trump’s deportation goals need more scrutiny amid overall D.C. chaos | John Baer
Is mass deportation realistic? How long would it take? At what cost?
www.pennlive.com
January 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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Hey, everybody should be asking questions.

www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025...
5 early questions for Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’ | John Baer
Trump entered his second term with some bombshells and a "Reveolution of Common Sense."
www.pennlive.com
January 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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Let's talk about Pa.'s most talked about pol.

www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
This ‘different’ John Fetterman isn’t new – he’s always been different | John Baer
Maybe Fetterman's lean to the right will help make partisan politics a little less divisive.
www.pennlive.com
January 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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Is a free press endangered from within. Lately, it seems so.

www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025...
A free press needs to press freely – against power, presidents and profit | John Baer
But there are troubling signs major media interests lie elsewhere.
www.pennlive.com
January 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM