Good morning, politicos. Here’s the buzz.

Lots of news today!

We’ve lost another candidate – this time in HD-133, and videos from both the RNC and DNC. And the Gerlach campaign asks the question: Does living in one district mean you shouldn’t run for office in another?

Gerlach Camp Casts Trivedi as 6th District Outsider: The Gerlach for Congress camp is charging that Dem challenger Manan Trivedi is a district outsider – for a list of reasons, including his home address two miles beyond district lines, his liberal views and his affiliation with a Washington, D.C. hospital.

Rep. Joe Brennan Removes Name From Ballot: Last Wednesday state Rep. Joseph Brennan (D-Lehigh) was arrested for allegedly choking and punching his wife on the porch of their home before driving away drunk. In light of the charges against him, Brennan announced today that he is not running for reelection.

Planned Parenthood PAC Launches “Women are Watching”: The Planned Parenthood PAC launched a new initiative aimed to put Republican candidates and elected officials on notice for issues regarding women’s health. The initiative, called “Women are Watching,” held a rally on Monday in West Chester.

Cohen Calls Radio Host Nazi After Per Diem Question: Normally, minor squabbles over per diems aren’t newsworthy. But when Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) called a radio host a Nazi after being questioned over excessive use of the living stipend, tempers quickly flared.

Smerconish on MSNBC: Castille Could Be PA’s John Roberts: In the ending segment of Hardball, “Let Me Finish,” Michael Smerconish took issue with Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law and Judge Robert Simpson’s decision – but said that another judge, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille, could fix everything by voting his conscience.

RNC: Obama Ending Welfare-to-Work (Watch Video): The break from welfare attacks didn’t last long. Marking the 16th anniversary of the passage of former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s vaunted reform bill, the Republican National Committee lashed out at President Obama for mandating the end of welfare-to-work requirements.

DNC Attacks Romney on Energy Policies (Watch Video): In a break from the welfare ad wars, the DNC released a video Tuesday knocking Romney for his relationship with big oil corporations, as well as his energy policies.

Auditor Candidate Maher Takes Third in Milk-Chugging Contest: Auditor General candidate John Maher recently won third place in a milk chugging contest – but could his opponent Eugene DePasquale do better?

Legislative Election Updates
HD-133: State Rep. Joseph Brennan (D-Lehigh) has removed his name from the ballot following an arrest last week for allegedly assaulting his wife before driving away while drunk. House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) said a committee will choose a replacement by the end of today – the deadline. “I’m confident that this process, under the excellent leadership of state Party Chair Jim Burn, will yield a strong Democratic nominee. I look forward to working with that nominee in the fall campaign,” Boyle said in an email. The candidate will run against GOP candidate David Molony.

National
New York Times: In Swing States, Romney Focuses on Economy, and Obama on Education
New York Times: Akin Controversy Stirs Up Abortion Issue in Campaign
The Caucus: A Petition to the White House: Give Up the Beer Recipe
The Caucus: Obama Promotes His Education Credentials, Putting Down Romney’s
The Caucus: Romney Returns to His Mainstay: The Economy
Five Thirty Eight: Keeping Score on a Busy Polling Day
Five Thirty Eight: Aug. 21: Romney Showing Improved Results in Swing State Polls
Wall Street Journal: GOP Convention Threatened by Storm
Slate: Obama and Romney agree on Medicare
National Journal: “First Dog” Bo on a diet
The Hill: Santorum: Romney wins if campaign is about ‘issues’ and not business record or tax returns
USA Today: Ryan: Big on defense, tight on entitlements
Politico: Akin fallout could stick to GOP ticket
Politico: Poll: 0 percent of blacks for Romney
Politico: Obama, Mitt to sit for CNN interviews
Politico: iPhone app fact-checks attack ads

Statewide
Capitolwire: Off the floor: Transformation of top Corbett staff continues as Kaiser moves to plum post
Capitolwire: Off the floor: GOP Leaders rankled as Gov. Corbett appoints former Bonusgate prosecutor as liaison
State Impact PA: Drill Bits: Fracking Resumes in Dimock, Chesapeake’s Errors, and New Ad Wars
State Impact PA: “Study Suggests How Manufacturers Can Tap Shale Power”
State Impact PA: Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan Stumps for “All of the Above” Energy Policy
State Impact PA: Truckers See Barriers to Converting Fleets to Natural Gas
PA Independent: Republicans trying to boot Gary Johnson from Pennsylvania ballot
PA Independent: Taxpayers on the hook for Pittsburgh transit bailout
Capitol Ideas: Wednesday Morning Coffee: PA Ethics Commission launches probe of state liquor board
Capitol Ideas: Looking Ahead: Charter school reform may face another bumpy path this fall
Capitol Ideas: Rep. Joe Brennan wants off the November ballot

Philadelphia
Philly Inquirer: Ryan stresses small business, Medicare on visit to Pennsylvania
Philly Inquirer: West Philadelphia community group suing Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell
Philly Daily News: Councilwoman Blackwell’s Mantua feud heads to federal
Philly Inquirer: Help is plentiful for obtaining Voter ID
Heard in the Hall: Democratic ward leaders to meet on Voter ID
Philly Clout: Councilwoman Blackwell sued by community group
Philly Clout: Hall and Oates Fans for America – now a Super PAC
PhillyNow.com: Daily Grinder: Nutter Talks Voter ID Education on MSNBC
Philadelphia Weekly: Dear Olympics: Please Don’t Come Here. Love, Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Lawmaker proposes offering voter IDs at Pa. legislators’ district offices
WHYY Newsworks: After naturalization, a focus on educating brand-new voters
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. in no hurry for Supreme Court ruling on voter ID

SEPA
AP: GOP upheaval arrives just before Romney convention
AP: Pa. settles suit over U.S. voter registration law
Montgomery Media: Local officials speak out against Voter ID Law

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Lawmaker, auditor general continue to beat drum to save Moon air base
Tribune Review: Mayor takes issue with county exec’s plan to tap RAD money for transit
Post Gazette: $40 million in Pa. transit funding delivered
Post Gazette: Updated Pa. shale gas figures show uptick
Early Returns: Corbett names new legislative liaison
Early Returns: Voter ID: Time for Voting Rights Act changes?
KDKA: Is Todd Akin Hurting The Republican Party?

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Leaders conduct fact-finding review of 911th
Valley News Dispatch: $742,000 loan approved for Springdale storm sewer project
Altoona Mirror: DuBois law ruled unconstitutional
Daily Courier: Fayette officials approve update to media policy

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Biden, Beau not Joe, weighs in on Akin controversy
Morning Call: Dave Molony: I won’t use Rep. Joe Brennan’s arrest for political advantage
Morning Call: State Rep. Joe Brennan not running for re-election
WFMZ: Pa. Rep. Brennan wants name off ballot, plans to finish term
WFMZ: Beau Biden campaigns for father, President Obama
WFMZ: Democrats, Republicans discuss ways to create local jobs
Express-Times: Joe Brennan ends re-election bid, will stay in office following arrest
South Whitehall Patch: State Rep. Joe Brennan won’t seek re-election

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Voter ID forum attendees question need
Citizens Voice: Official rounding up commuter tax opponents
The Daily Review: Senator Casey pushes bills to develop natural gas industry
Pocono Record: Pa. agencies agree to help low-income voters register
AP: Lehigh Valley state legislator facing charges quits re-election race

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Council approves list of potential grant recipients
Patriot News: On Harrisburg stop, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta calls media blitz on GOP distractions
Patriot News: Harrisburg faces $12.6 million year-end budget hole, could run out of cash by October

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Rep. Kelly goes to court against contraception mandate
Erie Times-News: GOP serving up free lunch to veterans

Opinion
Allentown Express-Times Editorial: Don’t limit outsourcing penalties to call centers
Allentown Express-Times Op-ed: Domestic violence knows no boundaries
Courier Express Editorial: New voter ID law has loophole: absentee ballots
New York Times: Editorial: What the G.O.P. Platform Represents
Post Gazette: Testy defense: If the state’s voter ID law is fair, what’s the worry?
Patriot News: PennDOT has been prepared for voter ID law implementation
Patriot News: Clueless Akin: When it comes to women’s health, male politicians should think twice
Philadelphia Inquirer: Editorial: Will Akin comments define the GOP?
USA Today: Ross Perot and David Walker column: The national debt, our $10 million-a-minute problem
Politico: Column: It’s the Medicare and skinny-dippers, stupid!

Blogs
Young Philly Politics: YOU can prevent vote stealing
Keystone State Education Coalition: NCLB worsened education, 48% of Americans ‘very familiar’ with the law say in Gallup Poll
Commonwealth Foundation: Booze bosses busted?
Lehigh Valley Independent: Why is Philly still bundling parking with housing?
2 Political Junkies: Um, I guess it should be noted…
Above Average Jane: New education report
Keystone Politics: PA will keep pretending to be a poor state rather than fund transportation
Keystone Politics: Anti-severance tax forces have cost PA $500 million since 2009
Keystone Politics: HD-133: Joe Brennan off the ballot, replacement coming tomorrow
Keystone Politics: Job training needed for manufacturing firm CEOs
Keystone Politics: Rape pregnancy deniers of history: Stephen Friend’s secretion edition
Keystone Politics: Why is Philly still bundling parking with housing
Keystone Politics: Time to update voting rights act
Keystone Conservative: Where is Democrat Aryanna Strader?
Keystone Conservative: Sen. Toomey on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: State Rep. Joe Brennan wants off ballot
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: AFSCME fights for sexual harassment on the job