Is he for real? Veterans’ advocate David Christian announced yesterday that he’s considering a run for U.S. Senate. He’s more campaign-seasoned than other talked-about candidates: he came within 2 points of being a Congressman in 1984. In the past 24 hours, reports indicate that the Bucks County Vet and businessman has received strongly favorable feedback from Republican insiders.

Rick Santorum has pledged not to cheat on his wife. The 2012 hopeful signed a promise by the Family Leader, an Iowa-based conservative group, which among other things asks candidates to affirm fidelity to their spouses. To those who would say “But wait, didn’t he do that when he married her?” we say “Newt Gingrich.” Point: us.

And in case you missed the Colbert Report last night, the Comedy Central host did another bit on Marcellus shale – specifically the recent story about Talisman’s energy’s friendly children’s book.

PoliticsPA Reports

First On PoliticsPA: New Casey Challenger Forms Exploratory Committee
David A. Christian, a veteran’s advocate and businessman from Bucks County, has formed an exploratory committee in the 2012 Senate race.

Santorum Pledges Not To Cheat On His Wife
Santorum was the first presidential candidate to contact The Family Leader, an Iowa based conservative group, to confirm that he would sign their pledge. The pledge calls for a candidate, among many other things, to remain faithful to their spouse.

Kelly Fires Back At Sharpton
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler) invoked the Bible and the American Dream in response to criticism by the Reverend Al Sharpton’s criticism of the Congressman’s investments in oil. He accused Sharpton of acting in a manner unbefitting for a man of the cloth and class-baiting.

Turzai To Re-Introduce Liquor Store Privatization Bill
Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-23) is planning to reintroduce a bill next week that would abolish the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and privatize the sale of wine and spirits in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Corbett’s First Veto
Governor Corbett issued his first veto last Friday on House Bill 1696, which would have allowed for a moratorium on Washington County real estate reassessment.

National
CBS Pittsburgh: Looking Back At Congressman Mascara’s Life & Career
Post-Gazette: Rep. Altmire To Oppose Columbia Free Trade Agreement
Philly Magazine: Obama’s Live Address: Philly Represents
Politico: Democrats split on Independent payment advisory board
Washington Post: 2012 Republican presidential campaign: Who will Iowa’s Ames Straw Poll make, break?
Tribune-Review: Hawkish Toomey Likes Battles Closer to Home
Tribune-Review: No serious candidate emerges to challenge Casey for seat

Statewide
Patriot News: Nonunionized Pennsylvania government workers upset over paycheck imbalances
Patriot-News: Pa. Budget Secretary’s Wife Faces DUI Charge After Weekend Pursuit
AP: Pa. Fish & Boat Commission To Sell Leases For Natural Gas Drilling, Official Says
AP: Marcellus Drilling Expands Into New Areas
York Daily Record: Nonunionized Pa. Gov’t Workers Upset Over Paycheck Imbalances
State House Sound Bites: StateImpact: 911 calls increase in drilling counties
PA Independent: Governor’s office anticipates bond sale in coming months
State Impact: Trib: Fish and Boat Commission Leasing 43,000 Acres for Drilling
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. law allows birth certificates for stillborn babies
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. secretary of health got himself a badge and a jacket
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Altmire to oppose free trade agreement with Colombia
WHYY Newsworks: Marcellus Shale panel to look at 200 recommendations
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania latest state to ban private transfer fees in real estate sales
Centre Daily Times: Wage freeze remains for some Pa. state employees
Capitol Ideas: Monday morning coffee: who wants to be a millionaire?

Philly
Philadelphia Inquirer: Attendance uneven at district’s $18 million summer school programs
Fox Philadelphia: Toomey Says Politics Blocking Debt Deal
Fox Philadelphia: Nutter Relaunching PhillyStat Program
WHYY Newsworks: How Philadelphia quadrupled recycling rates in four years
Times Herald: Sunshine Law strengthened, stricter penalties for violators soon in place

Philly Suburbs
Bucks Local News: Congressman Fitzpatrick to vote in favor of BULB Act, shares thoughts on debt ceiling debate
Bucks Local News: Pennsbury school board members react to impending pension crisis, provide varying opinions
Montgomery Media:House passes bill requiring photo ID to vote
The Mercury: Former Davis Oil owner charged with stealing parents’ assets
Delco Times: Chester one of 6 cities in nation in line for new federal economic program
Delco Times: State budget causing trouble on the college level

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: New City Parking Meters Sought: More Rate Hikes Ahead?

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Marcellus Drilling Expands Into New Areas
Observer-Reporter: Openings in Pa. Row Offices Draw Strong, Local Interest
Observer-Reporter: Longtime Lawmaker Dies
Times Online: Decision Could Come Tuesday On Lawrence County Casino
Beaver Times: Wage Freeze Remains for Some Pa. State Employees
Beaver Times: Leaky Hose Soaks DA’s Office, Allegheny Courthouse

Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley Independent: Philly Marijuana Policy Saving Taxpayers Money
Lehigh Valley Independent: The Economics of Border Bleed
Lehigh Valley Independent: “It’s not us versus us — it’s us versus the mall”
Lehigh Valley Independent: Turzai’s Gallonage Tax Looking Good
Morning Call: Bethlehem Area board mulls killing $25 student activity fee

NEPA
AP via Times Leader: Another possible GOP challenger to Casey surfaces
Times Leader: Former Union leader charged with theft of union assets
AP via Times Leader: Debt deal deadline established
Citizens Voice: Leighton’s mayoral opponent speaks out
Citizens Voice: Toomey the wealthiest among local reps

North By Northwest
Erie Times-News: House passes military appropriations bill
Erie Times-News: Greene supervisors not ready to consider gas compressor ban
StateCollege.com: Pay Borough Council? State College Council Members to Consider It

Opinions
Ron Bartizek, Times Leader: Income split is more than ‘class warfare’
Kevin Blaum, Times Leader: Halt high-jinks and deal with the debt ceiling
Phillynow.com: DAILY GRINDER: More Liquor Laws Proposed
Phillynow.com: Sen. Kitchen: More Medical Marijuana Advocacy Needed
Phillynow.com: Note To Media: Santorum Signed Bizarre ‘Marriage Vow,’ Too
Philadelphia Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Rating teachers
G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young, Tribune-Review: A closer look at state’s budget
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial: Weight of the Union: The U.S. faces a crisis of epic proportions
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial: License to pursue: Plate scanners are a welcome new police tool
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: E.J. Dionne Jr. / Death penalty impatience
Lehigh Valley Live: Editorial: Get extra appraisals on Upper Mount Bethel Township land
Delco Times: Editorial: Repercussions of gas drilling evident out west-
Courier Times: Letter to the Editor: Why we vote for Dems
Centre Daily Times: Editorial: It’s business as usual in Pennsylvania
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), The Hill: BULB act is dim-witted
Tim Potts, Philly Burbs: Culture of Corruption
John E. Sununu, Boston Globe: Smart fracking