Pennsylvania Showed Up — No Thanks to Josh Shapiro

Josh Shapiro wants to look like a national leader. But when Pennsylvania had a chance to stand proudly on the National Mall and celebrate America’s 250th birthday, he gave the country a master class in political cowardice.

The Great American State Fair was not some random county carnival. It was a national America 250 showcase, built around state pavilions and American history. For Pennsylvania, this should have been easy. Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Pennsylvania is not a side character in America’s story. It is the opening chapter.

Yet when the moment came, Shapiro’s administration backed away. He claimed Pennsylvania would not participate because businesses were not interested in sponsoring the booth. On opening day, the space reserved for Pennsylvania sat empty except for a “250” flag. Then two U.S. senators — Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick — stepped in and proved the excuse was weak. They secured private sponsors at no cost to taxpayers, including Pennsylvania business and agriculture groups. The Pennsylvania Chamber later said Shapiro’s team asked for help less than two weeks before the event, and that there was interest, but the timing made it difficult. (Inquirer.com)

That is the problem with Shapiro. He wants credit when things work and excuses when they don’t. His résumé is a straight line through politics and government: Capitol Hill, Georgetown Law in 2002, Pennsylvania House in 2004, Montgomery County commissioner, attorney general, then governor. People can call that public service. Fine. But to a lot of working Pennsylvanians, it looks like a man who has spent his adult life inside the machine — not building a business, not meeting payroll, not competing in a real consumer market, and not understanding the people who do. (ABC30 Fresno)

And now we see the political calculation. Shapiro is Jewish, has supported Israel, and has spoken out against antisemitism. But when the loud anti-Israel wing of modern Democratic politics applies pressure, he seems far more interested in keeping the national left comfortable than standing plainly for Pennsylvania pride. (ABC30 Fresno)

That is not leadership. That is career management.

Fetterman deserves credit because he did not hide behind party lines. McCormick deserves credit because he moved. Salena Zito and others helped put a spotlight on how humiliating Pennsylvania’s absence would have been, and then Pennsylvania businesses, farmers, manufacturers, volunteers, and everyday citizens stepped up. Reports described companies, volunteer firefighters, agricultural groups, snack makers, manufacturers, and local businesses rushing to help fill the booth and make sure the Keystone State was represented. (Washington Examiner)

That is the real Pennsylvania. Not the timid version hiding behind a press statement. Not the small politics of a governor trying to please the people he thinks can help him climb the next ladder. The real Pennsylvania is proud, practical, stubborn, generous, and patriotic.

This story matters because it is bigger than a booth. It exposes the difference between leadership and ambition. Leaders bring people together before the deadline. Ambitious politicians explain why they failed after the deadline.

Josh Shapiro may be polished. He may be disciplined. He may know how to climb. But Pennsylvania deserves more than a ladder-climber with a press team. It deserves a governor who understands that the commonwealth is bigger than any party, any president, and any future campaign.

When America celebrated 250 years, Pennsylvania showed up.

No thanks to Josh Shapiro.