Measles Misfire Weakens Shapiro at Home and Nationally

Because fear is a powerful emotion, politicians often use it — and frequently abuse it. As a full-time “student” of politics, Josh Shapiro knows this. Enter: Measles panic. 

When people are afraid, they seek out a protector. Voters reward protectors. Josh knows this. Presto: press conferences and “emergency” regulations.

Many of us learned several things from the Covid era, and post-Covid analysis. Some are more easily frightened. They seek out immediate protection, and a protector. Because of their fear, because they devoutly believe “better safe than sorry,” they suppress the American-instinct of skepticism. And, consciously or not, they begin to comply with and echo the message from the protector.

Sadly, too many will ignore Benjamin Franklin’s counsel — gladly trading some of their liberty for security. Almost all of that group get very angry with others who do not see the threat, don’t take it seriously, and do not comply with the directives from the protector.

Which brings us to the measles panic of 2026 and Shapiro — and Shapiro versus RFK, Jr.

Shapiro knows all those things about fear. But he had a choice: should he speak now, or wait? And if he chooses to speak, what tone should he take? Should he be measured, because perhaps all the facts had not come to light?

Lead and unify or pontificate and divide?

He rejected common ground. He rejected putting things into perspective: to date, approximately only 0.000085% of Americans have gotten measles.

Shapiro knows how to turn neighbor against neighbor. As Attorney General during the Covid era, he allowed Dr. Levine to set up “rat on your neighbor” hotlines — neighbors could  turn you in if your kids had a playdate, if you visited your grandparents, or if you held a family birthday party.

Being a person of faith, he could’ve refrained from vilifying those with sincere religious objections to certain vaccines — especially when choosing to hold his measles press conference in the heart of the Amish community. And being a dad, he could’ve chosen not to overreact.

Shapiro knows all too well that, when the subject is related to medicine or health, Democrats must  accuse Republican opponents of being anti-science, anti-vaccine and a threat to public health and safety. Yet the reality is that few Americans are opposed to all vaccines and some oppose a few. It’s neither partisan-driven nor universal.

Many Americans now want to ask questions before dutifully lining-up for the newest vaccine, or latest booster.

Josh the “protector” held a press conference in Lancaster County — the red county he desperately wants to flip blue.  He alleged that measles had killed two residents. But due to medical privacy concerns, Shapiro could not reveal their names, nor anything about their medical conditions. Ahem…

The predictable division took place: the fearful and elite glad to have the protector — thank goodness he’s acting — and the skeptical — what aren’t we being told?

Then things got messier for Shapiro.

We learned that one of the two deaths was a newborn — months before the baby required vaccination. Plus the Lancaster Coroner declared that the baby did not die from measles. Thus, we’re revisiting the discussion of death “from” a disease versus someone dying from another illness with disease-comorbidity.

Wanting to be President, Shapiro must be re-elected this fall. Each time his double-digit lead is threatened by underdog challenger, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, he reacts (or overreacts).

Because, after all, his governorship is really only about one thing: a stepping stone to be President.

Now, he’s misfired with measles. He either didn’t have all the facts, or hid them from us. He unwittingly re-ignited the medical and cultural debate — a debate we should’ve had during Covid but didn’t truly have due to Fauci et al conspiring with or forcing big pharma, big tech, and media to prohibit or limit debate.

He wanted to show Pennsylvania voters that he could lead — but he stumbled. He wanted to energize his base, but he’s poked Stacy’s base and given them more motivation to vote.

He wanted to show national Dems that he was a leader on the issue du jour. But, again, he missed the landing — as he did with his first TV ad, his attacks on Garrity and his radical flip-flop on data centers.

Shapiro’s campaign was supposed to be a cake-walk, but he took Garrity for granted. And now he acts out of anger and arrogance — and it shows. Her supporters are motivated — and independents are starting to notice: He’s all about Josh, not us.

The campaign was supposed to be an audition for 2028 in front of Democratic movers and shakers. But he not only doesn’t own a left-wing brand or base, he’s showing that he’s not ready for prime time.

Maybe Team Harris was right after all when they rejected him as her running mate.

He’s about Josh — a political virus as dangerous as measles.

Guy Ciarrocchi writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania. A Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation, follow Guy at @PhilaFreedomGuy.