• Braddock mayor to attend debate.
No, he won’t be wearing his “Trump is a Jagoff” Tshirt, but Braddock Mayor John Fetterman will be in the audience tonight when Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton hold their first presidential debate at Hofstra University on New York’s Long Island.
“When you’re a guest, you’re on your best behavior,” said Mr. Fetterman of the decision not to don the T-shirt he made a signature of his failed Democratic bid for U.S. Senate. “But for the record, I wouldn’t object if someone else wore it.”
Mr. Fetterman will attend with his wife, Gisele, and another Pittsburgharea resident, Pam Iovino, a former Navy captain and assistant secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs during the George W. Bush administration.
Another debate attendee with Pittsburgh roots has already drawn attention. The Clinton camp previously invited billionaire Mark Cuban — a vocal Trump foe who grew up in Mt. Lebanon — to attend, prompting Mr. Trump to threaten to invite Gennifer Flowers, who had an affair with Ms. Clinton’s husband, Bill, the former president, four decades ago. As of Sunday, however, Ms. Flowers did not appear to be attending. The Trump campaign was unable to furnish a list of debate attendees Sunday.
The debate comes as a new Muhlenberg College/ Morning Call poll shows a tightening race in Pennsylvania. Ms. Clinton led Mr. Trump by just 3 points in the survey of likely voters, down from a 9-point lead just a week ago.
Pollster Christopher Borick said recent terror attacks “play to Trump’s playbook on law, order and security. … Ultimately, Pennsylvania’s Republicans came home to that message last week.” Mr. Trump’s support among Republicans, nearly one-fifth of whom were undecided earlier this month, jumped by 14 points in the new poll.
Mr. Fetterman said the poll results “just doubledown on my resolve to stop [Mr. Trump].”
Loyalists in both camps will hold parties in southwestern Pennsylvania to watch tonight’s debate, which begins at 9 p.m.
Trump supporters will attend a $27-per-person dinner and debate-watch gathering at Toscana Brick Oven in the Southpointe complex, 1800 Main St., Cecil. Dinner begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
Clinton supporters will gather from 8 to 11:30 p.m. for a potluck and to watch the debate at the Bakery Square campaign office, 186 Bakery Square Blvd., East Liberty.
Chrs Potter: cpotter@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2533.