Gov. Rendell has to be the happiest man on earth, a third-party candidate continues to shakeup the 7th District, and Bill Clinton knows the Turnpike better than we do, it’s Thursday and here’s what’s happening in the Buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

Rendell vindicated. The U.S. Senate voted yesterday to end a fillibuster on long-awaited FMAP money There’s still $250 million in cuts to make in the budget, but those are far easier to make than $850 million.

To say Bryan Lentz’s campaign had a bad day yesterday would be an understatement. He’s got releases from his opponent claiming he is manipulating elections, the third party opponent he allegedly helped get on the ballot is telling different things to different outlets (see our very own Alex Roarty’s story vs Dan Hirschhorn at pa2010.com) and Lentz himself won’t comment on the matter.

Maybe Bill Clinton should run for governor with all the hours he will log in the state this election cycle. He campaigned for Mark Critz in the special election to replace John Murtha. Next Tuesday, he will campaign for John Callahan, Joe Sestak, and fundraise for Dan Onorato. Clearly, the Dems think he is instrumental to winning PA races.

Today’s Headlines

Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s polar-opposite Senate candidates, Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Joe Sestak, split Wednesday in their reactions to a package of $26 billion in aid to states and school districts that cleared a Senate hurdle.

CQ: Patrick Murphy owes DCCC dues but its inconsequential because the party knows Murphy has a tough reelection fight and he is one of the most prolific fundraisers in the state.

Standard Speaker: A Good Ole’ Franking Fight – Lou Barletta and Rep. Paul Kanjorski are engaging in a fight as old as the republic. Barletta is accusing Kanjorski of abusing his franking privilege by sending out campaign-like material.

Stuart Rothenberg: PA is “the” battleground state in the midterm elections. If you want to know if there is going to be a GOP wave or whether Dems will survive, look first to PA on election night.

Today’s Opinions

Inquirer: Do not merge PA’s municipalities and give local governance to the counties.

Post-Gazette: PA should understand more than most states how important the U.S. Senate’s climate bill is to the future of the state. As a huge producer of coal power, it is critical that PA understand the risks of being addicted to coal.