We’re changing things up a bit at PoliticsPA, and starting off your days with the Morning Buzz, a daily feature designed to wrap up the morning’s news and give a quick preview of the day ahead.  What’s that? You’d like the Morning Buzz in your inbox?  Email snyder@politicspa.com, and we’ll make it happen.

Memorial Day weekend starts at 5 (or, noon-ish) today, and we’ve got your Morning Buzz to get you through to the weekend

We’ll start you off with everyone’s favorite PoliticsPA feature, the weekly Up & Down, which includes a salute to a close friend and colleague leaving the PoliticsPA fold.

PoliticsPA Reports…

Alex Roarty reports that newly-minted Rep. Mark Critz (D-12) voted against the repeal of DADT, an amendment supported by the vast majority of House Democrats.  This shouldn’t come as a big surprise, though.  Critz publicly opposed the health care reform bill, and successfully campaigned as a Democrat perfectly willing (eager, even?) to get all mavericky with his party. http://www.politicspa.com/politicspa-critz-votes-no-on-dadt-repeal/11852/

**Updated - Rep. Chris Carney (D-10)  also voted against the repeal.

In the news…

Rich Sestak to the rescue? The Democratic Senate nominee’s brother has reportedly been discussing “Jobgate” with White House officials.  President Obama, near the end of this press conference said that the White House would release a statement giving details about the Sestak job offer. Expect a release at the close of business today.

Rep. Darrell Issa suggested that this Sestak Scandal could be President Obama’s Watergate (doubtful) and fmr. White House strategist Karl Rove said that Obama could be protecting a felon in the White House.

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8th) scored a big victory last night when the House voted to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, bringing the controversial legislation close to extinction http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37897.html

Philly Judge William Werner says that state Rep. John Perzel will go to trial in yet another high-profile “Bonusgate” case.  Somewhere in Northeast Philly, Kevin Boyle is smiling. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20100527_Judge__Perzel_Bonusgate_case_can_go_to_trial.html

Pennsylvania House Democrats can’t be happy with Larry Sabato’s new Crystal Ball predictions.  Sabato moved the Dem-held 7th (Sestak leaving, Lentz running), 8th (Murphy) and 11th (Kanjorski) to “Toss-ups.”

Hey, Pens Fans, cheer up- The NHL’s Winter Classic (the annual outdoor game played on New Year’s Day) will take place in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field to kick off 2011.  The Pens will take on the Caps, who dominated them in the 09-10 reugular season.  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10148/1061397-61.stm

In the blogosphere…

Down but not out- Pa2010.com argues that Sen. Specter can still make a difference in his last months in office.

In the Twittersphere…

The Post-Gazette’s Washington Correspondent and former UNC Tarheel Dan Malloy had to deal with Duke’s visit to the White House following their NCAA Hoops Championship, but it produced the Tweet of the day:  @PG_in_DC So everyone knows to key their cars? RT @brfreed Why do Duke grads keep their diplomas on the dashboard?

Tags: DADT, Jobgate, John Perzel, Mark Critz, NHL, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Up & Down, Winter Classic

This entry was posted on Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 4:15 am and is filed under PA Reports, PoliticsPA Reports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.