Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. Tuesday was a doozie. Tons of presidential news in PA, AL and MS. It’s TV season in PA, and candidates are jumping on the air in boatloads. To save time, here are the candidates who aren’t yet on the air who we’re watching for: Steve Welch for Senate, Kathleen Kane for Attorney General, Patrick Murphy for Attorney General.

Smith Back on TV: Senate hopeful Tom Smith is back on the air. His campaign will debut a new, 30-second ad starting Thursday titled “Red Ink” that focuses on the national debt.

Exclusive: Holden Goes on the Air (With Video): The air war in PA-17 has begun. Incumbent Rep. Tim Holden will also air television ads – a basic 30-second bio spot – starting Wednesday.

Breaking: Cartwright Launches TV Ads in PA-17 (With Video): Matt Cartwright, the Lackawanna County attorney challenging Rep. Tim Holden in the 17th congressional district primary, will air his first television ads Wednesday. The initial buy – 30 and 60 second, positive bio spots – will run $70K.

Santorum wins the Deep South: A mere seven days after the Super Tuesday results solidified the standing of Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum as the two front-runners of the GOP presidential primary, the former Pennsylvania senator has proved once again that he is here to stay with wins in Alabama and Mississippi.

Voter ID Delayed: Yet again, the hotly debated measure was put to the side. The Pa. House plans to pass the bill today instead of yesterday.

Big-Time Pa. Republicans Endorse Romney: Citing a relative advantage for down-ballot Republicans, several congressmen and party leaders endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today in Harrisburg.

Santorum Demonstrates Pa. Momentum in PPP Poll: As the presidential election heats up, President Obama finds his numbers improving in Pennsylvania, according to a poll released today by Public Policy Polling. Obama pulled ahead of Romney by a 7 point margin, now 49-42. In 2011, Obama and Romney were neck-and-neck with one another.

Corbett’s Campaign Manager Appointed State Dir. of Santorum’s Pa. Operation: Experienced Republican operative Brian Nutt has taken over the Pa. operation for Rick Santorum’s Presidential campaign.

Holden, Cartwright Open Easton Campaign Offices: In the newly drawn 17th congressional district, Easton is place where neither Democrat has a built-in advantage. That’s party why it’s the first place that incumbent Rep. Tim Holden and challenger Matt Cartwright each have a campaign office.

Proposed Marriage Amendment: News broke Tuesday that lawmakers wouldn’t take up the “Marriage Protection” amendment. Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s legislation has drawn intense criticism from gay rights advocates.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-15: The Capital Region Stonewall Democrats, a gay rights advocacy group based in Harrisburg, endorsed Democrat Rob Teplitz for the seat of retiring Sen. Jeff Piccola. “Rob Teplitz has already demonstrated his commitment to fighting for the rights of all Pennsylvanians,” said chairman Steve Dorko.  “Electing Rob to the State Senate is one of our top priorities for 2012, and we look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.”

SD-29: The Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition (PTCC), a statewide grassroots education finance reform alliance, announced Tuesday its endorsement of Senator David Argall (R-Schuylkill) for his support of abolishing property taxes. Argall faces a primary challenge from Brian Rich.

HD-197: Milton Street, the 2011 mayoral candidate and brother of former Philadelphia Mayor John Street, has been tossed from the ballot in the race to replace former Rep. now Sheriff Jewell Williams. That means his daughter Jewel (one “L”) is now the strong favorite as the Dem nominee for the special election.

National:
Daily Caller: Jim Gerlach To Sign On To “No Confidence” in Holder Resolution
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Casey Joins Marino in Call for Keeping Postal Facility Open
Philadelphia Inquirer: Corbett advisor to run Santorum’s campaign
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Romney to get nod from Pennsylvania Republicans today
National Review Online: Cry me a Specter

Statewide:
Post-Gazette: Photo ID requirement up for vote in Pa. House
Post-Gazette: Pa. House approves lower debt limit for economic development
Times Tribune: Top Corbett adviser to head Santorum Pa. campaign
Capitol Ideas: Things Government Does: House committee puts off gay marriage amendment, does other things
Capitol Ideas: Dent, Gerlach, other offer Romney endorsement
Capitol Ideas: House puts off voter ID legislation for one more day
WITF: Governor heads to Europe, not on public dime
WITF: First day off class: Corbett’s higher education commission convenes
WITF: House passes debt reduction bill, readies for voter ID today
PA Independent: Corbett to keep GOP endorsement close to his vest
PA Independent: GOP: Changes in Pa property tax, spending must go hand-in-hand
PA Independent: PA voter ID opponents cry repression, disenfranchisement
PA Independent: PA poll workers: Voter ID will cause longer lines, chaos
StateImpactPA: Tootsie Pops and diamonds in the dog house
StateImpactPA: Chevron invests in Marcellus drilling
StateImpactPA: Drill Bits: Drillers say blame the cement, not the fracking, for problems
StateImpactPA: “Workers train for natural gas careers at Penn State DuBois”
StateImpactPA: Obama administration says China’s unfair trade practices threaten “green” energy development
StateImpactPA: Taking a look at last month’s impact fee debate
StateImpactPA: North Carolina governor tours Pennsylvania fracking sites
StateImpactPA: Krugman compares Pennsylvania’s shale boom to North Dakota’s
StateImpactPA: Delaware County plant added to list of Superfund priority sites
Capitolwire: Bill proposes diverting from Clean Air Fund monies to grants for natural gas vehicles, stations
Capitolwire: House moves borrowing reduction legislation to Senate
Capitolwire: Pharmacists critical of DPW’s planned pharmacy fee changes
The Hill: Reps Altmire, Critz release dueling TV ads in Pennsylvania
The Daily Caller: Casey to Santorum: I did you a favor by beating you

Philadelphia:
Inquirer: Ardmore students ask U.S. Supreme Court for bias review
Inquirer: Rendell called support for Iran exile group ‘the right thing’
Daily News: Did top deputy D.A. go down fighting?
Inquirer: Corbett says he would sign voter-ID bill
PhillyClout: Critic calls Nutter’s budget a ‘back door tax increase’
PhillyClout: Residents push back on proposed Neighborhood Improvement District
PhillyClout: Local coalition forms to educate on voter ID legislation
PhillyClout: Romney’s Pa. endorsements
Heard in the Hall: Another shot for Milton Street
Philadelphia Weekly: PA’s Third-Party Candidates: How they’re fighting back against the state that hates them
Philadelphia Weekly: PA is ground zero for the abortion clash
Fox Philadelphia: GOP presses Voter ID bill in Pennsylvania
Fox Philadelphia: Santorum gets top Corbett aide heads
ABC Philadelphia: Pa. Gov. Corbett expects to sign Voter ID bill
NewsWorks: Pa. offers plan to keep Chester Upland district afloat through end of school year
NewsWorks: After second day of debate, no Pa. House action on Voter ID
NewsWorks: Corbett adviser to run Santorum’s Pa. campaign
City Paper: Clarke: “class” and “power” stricken from North Central NID legislation

SEPA:
Pottstown Mercury: Bailey drops out of Democratic contest for AG
Delco Daily Times: Pa. Education Secretary: Chester Upland, charters need to ‘exercise fiscal austerity’

Pittsburgh:
Tribune Review: Former Orie staffer says he tracked Melvin campaign money
Tribune Review: Dormont manager got $30K settlement upon resigning
Tribune Review: South side businessman says he can block improvement district
Tribune Review: PNC, BNY Mellon pass Federal Reserve stress test
Tribune Review: West Penn Allegheny seeks judge’s removal from lawsuit
Post-Gazette: Judge dismisses Sandusky defense request
Post-Gazette: PSU trustees chairwoman address faculty senate
Post-Gazette: Governor challenges panel on higher education
KDKA: North Shore Connector expected to save communters money

Southwest:
Tribune-Review: Critz Tours Vandergrift Factory
Beaver County Times: Rochester changing superintendents
Beaver County Times: Sofo saying so-long to Freedom Area
Indiana Gazette: Indiana: Board takes up fiscal matters
Indiana Gazette: Purchase Line: School cafeteria operating at deficit
Somerset Daily American: DCS caller: Pleads for immediate intervention by Child Services at Indiana home
Somerset Daily American: Senate candidate Tom Smith stops in Somerset
Somerset Daily American: Somerset awaiting word on tax exemption

NEPA:
Times Leader: Attorney eyes campaign loans
Times Tribune: Moosic lawmaker steps down because of his new role in Lackawanna government
Citizens Voice: Controller receives 4 proposals to audit attorney bills
Citizens Voice: House approves RACP bill
Standard Speaker: District rewrites library tax referendum
Daily Review: Athens Borough to support impact fee
Go Lackawanna: Pa. emission tests a waste
Pocono Record: Ex-Pa. rep got almost $150K in pension
Pocono Record: Monroe County reps want to sue Pa. over school funding

Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Wilson seeks to fill late council member’s seat
Morning Call: Vacant Bethlehem controller post now in the courts
Morning Call: Dent to endorse Mitt Romney for President
Morning Call: PA 17th district congressional candidates open Easton offices
Reading Eagle: Titus Station’s closing sign of ‘dash to gas’
WFMZ: City to expand security camera system beyond downtown

South Central:
Chambersburg Public Opinion: County lifts deadline for decision as privatizing mental health services remains an option
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Council approves grant app for fields,water play at park
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Shippensburg Borough Council unhappy with state’s gas, oil law
Harrisburg Patriot News: Penn State trustees seek advice from Cornell on becoming private university
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson does not ask for state police assistance in controlling crime spree
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson warns citizens to maintain vigilance, be aware of crime
York Daily Record: York County Voters Talk; Congressional Candidates Listen
Republican Herald: Rep. Holden Visits Flooded Sites in Pine Grove
York Dispatch: At reverse forum at York College, congressional candidates listen to audience

North by Northwest:
Campaign ‘12 Blog: Former Rep. English backs Romney
Campaign ‘12 Blog: Will you read Arlen Specter’s memoir?
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Casey joins Marino in call for keeping postal facility open
Williamsport Sun Gazette: South side to get less money
Williamsport Sun Gazette: U.S Senate candidate forum set for March 22
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Hughesville council gets an earful
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Southern Tioga board hears options from superintendent
Centre Daily Times: State college school board backs prevailing wage reform

Opinions:
Post-Gazette: Editorial: Mixed news: Jobs are on the rise, but so is the trade deficit
Post-Gazette: Editorial: Shaky ground: Quakes suggest caution for deep disposal wells
Post-Gazette: Editorial: Romney’s religion: Mitt faces trials that didn’t confront his father
Observer-Reporter: Editorial: Demand, fuel costs make tickets pricey
Reading Eagle: Closing school a tough call Kutztown may have to make
Express Times: Make streets safer for pedestrians, drivers
Times Leader: Fill in the blanks for forgiveness
Times Tribune: Fair effort to define city nonprofits
Citizens Voice: Keep mass transit on the road
Wayne Independent: Right move made with Earley firing
Standard Speaker: Delaware loophole must be closed
Daily Review: Deep cuts in health care transfer pain
Times News: Success
Pocono Record: Bears and bears everywhere
Daily News: DN Editorial: Voter-ID paints ugly picture of democracy
Inquirer: Voter ID effort is a ruse
Daily News: Letters: Why North Nabe plan makes sense
Inquirer: America’s war on manufacturing

Blogs:
Keystone Politics: Allyson Schwartz Backing Off Helping GOP Kill Obamacare Price Controls
Keystone Politics: Critz slams Altmire ad
Keystone Politics: Good reassessment ideas from Michael Nutter
Keystone Politics: Obama bouncing back in PA
John Hanger: The Youngstown earthquake, hydraulic fracturing, and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Progressive: Photo ID for voting = BS tactic of the century!!
Keystone Progress: Privatized school buses cost taxpayers more
Commonwealth Foundation: Fighting fiction with fracking facts
Commonwealth Foundation: National popular vote: a radical shift in elections
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Dent, Holden rated moderates by Vote View
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Cartwright will defend the weak and vulnerable
2 Political Junkies: Conservative ignorance down South
2 Political Junkies: Syndicator for Rush Limbaugh suspends all national ads for two weeks
2 Political Junkies: Hillary Clinton on extremists: “they all want to control women”