Yesterday came the clearest evidence yet of Pat Toomey’s rapid rise to prominence in the Senate GOP. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell named Toomey to the 12-member debt “super committee.” It was a major coup for the freshman, for whom cutting trillions out of the budget is a sort of wheel house. Here’s his statement, and that of Sen. McConnell.

The Patriot News’ Robert Vickers took a look at President Obama’s 2012 odds in Pennsylvania, along with the possibility of a fractured Democratic party. It includes interviews of some major D figures in the state, a look at Casey’s role in Obama’s re-elect, and a portrait of Organizing for America.

And Pennsylvania lost two political powerhouses this week. Thomas Philip Barnhart Stout, a Washington County businessman, former DNC committee member, and brother to former PA Senator Barry Stout, and Frank Gigliotti, a brass-knuckled, old-fashioned Pittsburgh politico, each passed away this week.

National
Politico: Santorum: Perry Marriage Stance ‘Destructive”
Politico: Super Committee Lineup Give Hope For Deal
Politico: Can Patty Murray Balance Politics and Super Committee?
Washington Post: As Debt Panel Takes Shape, Question Arise Over Whether Members Can Bridge Political Divide
The Big Tent: Tea Party Tortoise Pushes On In Pa. Senate Race
Blue Ridge Now: Congressmen Mike Doyle: Debt Crisis

Statewide
WITF: Unprofitable Liquor stores, downsizing the legislature, probation for staffer involved in Bonusgate
PA Independent: Smith – Eliminate a quarter of state House districts
State Impact – NPR: State Distributing Potassium Iodide Pill tomorrow
State Impact – NPR: Corbett in a Kayak
State Impact-NPR: Pipeline Problems and Permits
Inquirer: Effort to Cut Size Of General Assembly Gains Support
AP: Gov. Corbett Kayaking To Boost Pa. Tourism, Recreation
WFMZ: Sen. Toomey Appointed To Debt Super Committee
Lehigh Valley Live: Pat Toomey will be one of 12 members of ‘Super Congress’

Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Jim Foster Files Counter Challenge To Brian Rudnick’s Nominating Petitions
PhillyClout: Protesters Storm Councilman O’Neill’s Office
Inquirer: Ackerman backers say she’s being bypassed

Philly Suburbs
Courier Times: Latest Picks For Debt Panel Spark Som ePessimism
Daily Times: School Official Critical Of State Funding Cuts
Daily Times: Pa. Sen. Toomey Named To Super Debt Panel
The Intelligencer: Fitzpatrick: Was downgrade orchestrated by Treasury?

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Toomey named to debt reduction panel
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Rep. seeks probe of incident with state official’s wife
Tribune Review: Strengthen Medicare, Social Security, says Rep. Altmire
Tribune-Review: 45 State liquor Stores Lose Money
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Bonus gate defendant given fine, probation

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: VA hospital looks at possible cuts
Beaver County Times: Beaver Council fires zoning officer
Daily American: Meyersdale addresses residential license appeal, grievances
Daily American: Windber Borough declines occupancy offer

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Allentown sued for more than $2M
Reading Eagle: In Reading, Toomey says Washington must control spending
Reading Eagle: Route 422 toll idea gets state panel OK
WFMZ: State Budget Cuts Impact KU Alumni Office

NEPA
Pocono Record: Democrat (Jay Costa) mum on Monroe’s redistricting future
The Times Leader: Barletta’s performance protested

North By Northwest
Erie Times-News: 60 MoveOn.org protesters rally at Rep. Kelly’s office
Centre Daily Times: Rally at congressman’s office focuses on need to create jobs
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Pine Township undecided about drilling ordinance
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Old Lycoming Township may get buy-out funding
Erie Times-News: Erie County, Erie schools going green by saving paper and cash

Opinions
Bob Casey, Times Leader: We must implement plan of action to create new jobs
John Baer, Daily News: The Wacky World Of Reform
Dave Davies, WHYY Newsworks: Trimming The Hack Pack In Harrisburg
Baer Growls: DeWeese Redux
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Recall Stoffa
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Northampton County Needs a New Controller
Philadelphia Daily News: Exciting Eagles must avoid pitfalls
Pottstown Mercury Editorial: Wednesday’s sound off
Pottstown Mercury Editorial:  Do Republicans hate government?
Philadelphia Inquirer: No, drillers already paying their way