There’s no doubt: It’s been a rough August for Congressional Democrats.

Nationally, Democrats are worrying about historically grim numbers from “generic ballot” tests, which pollsters use to gauge overall voter sentiment about Congressional races. In turn, national handicappers have been bumping up the number of seats that the Democrats could end up losing in November.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Republicans are reacting giddily to the results of polls commissioned by the American Action Forum, a pro-Republican group, showing GOP candidates doing well against four Democratic incumbents in the Keystone State.

Because these polls were taken by a Republican firm, they need to be taken with a grain of salt. But in combination with the broader trends benefiting Republicans, we can’t help but conclude that the GOP has regained significant momentum in Pennsylvania after the disappointments of the May 18 primary — in which several nominees emerged battered and the GOP failed to seize the seat left vacant after the death of Democratic Rep. John Murtha — and the July 15 fundraising deadline, which included some disappointing hauls for key GOP challengers.

As in the past, our rankings include 10 lawmakers, listed in descending order of vulnerability.

In the rankings, we’ve tweaked the order of the candidates a bit, but not greatly. The bigger story, we think, is that all eight Democrats on the list are now more vulnerable than they were when we did our previous rankings on July 18.

On the list below, we consider the first three seats highly vulnerable, the next five seats vulnerable and the final two less so. We’re considering the other nine seats in the delegation to be safe, though we reserve the right to add new names to the vulnerability list if circumstances shift.

While a month or two ago we would have been skeptical of widespread Democratic losses in the Pennsylvania delegation, due largely to micro-scale factors in each race, there is a growing feeling that the national wave aiding Republicans may drag down even Democratic incumbents in Pennsylvania who have taken great pains to insulate themselves from their party’s unpopular leadership through their voting records and their constituent service.

At this point, only Democrats in overwhelmingly favorable districts – mainly ones in and adjoining Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – have good reason to feel much job security.

Of course, the momentum could shift again before Election Day, so we’ll continue to update our rankings as Nov. 2 approaches.

Here’s our list:

1. Paul Kanjorski (D-11). Previous ranking: 1. The 13-term incumbent Kanjorski retains the No. 1 spot in our rankings as he tries to fend off a stiff challenge from Republican Lou Barletta in northeastern Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. The two candidates’ daily media skirmishes are a clear sign that this has become a highly competitive contest. A proposed security officer training center in the area has become the subject of intense local media coverage. Kanjorski contends that it could bring 1,000 jobs to the area, but Barletta counters that the claim is more rhetoric than reality and voices concern over the center’s possible noise from gunfire and even bomb explosions. Kanjorski took to the airwaves in late August with a hard-hitting spot attacking Barletta’s tenure as Hazleton’s mayor. As it happened, a federal appeals court in early September voided a landmark Hazleton law cracking down on businesses and landlords that employ or rent to illegal aliens. The law has been a cornerstone of Barletta’s mayoral tenure, and the decision is both a short-term setback and an opportunity for Barletta to fire up anti-immigration voters as he pursues a Supreme Court appeal. No longtime incumbent like Kanjorski goes down without a fight, particularly when continues to hold a significant financial advantage over an opponent he’s defeated twice before. But the 10th District, full of older conservative Democrats, appears as poised as any to ride an impending GOP wave.

2. Open seat (held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak). Previous ranking: 2. If there’s going to be a savior for Democratic nominee Bryan Lentz, his name is Jim Schneller. The pseudo-conservative third-party candidate, with an apparently pivotal boost from Lentz allies, unexpectedly earned a place on the ballot and survived a court challenge by Republican Pat Meehan. If Schneller siphons even a few points from Meehan, it could help put Lentz over the top in southeastern Pennsylvania’s 7th District. The two candidates have also begun a series of debates, which offer a leg-up to the lesser-known Lentz, who seems to enjoy sharing a stage with his GOP opponent. Still, the fundamentals for this open-seat battle still tilt toward the well-known ex-U.S. Attorney Meehan, who will surely benefit from the GOP wave. He also retains a financial edge over Lentz.

3. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3). Previous ranking: 3. The American Action Forum poll had Kelly up 52 to 38 percent, but most experts see this as a closer race. The National Republican Congressional Committee is keeping the pressure on Dahlkemper, a freshman Democrat who ousted GOP Rep. Phil English during the 2008 wave election for her party. The district is one of the three in the state where the NRCC said in mid-August that it would be reserving advertising time for the fall, alongside Kanjorski’s and the Sestak open seat (see above). The NRCC also boosted GOP nominee Mike Kelly to the top tier of its “Young Guns” program. Both actions demonstrate GOP confidence in Kelly, who won his primary with just 28 percent of the vote, who raised just $80,000 in the second quarter and who hails from Butler County — far from Erie, the district’s population hub and Dahlkemper’s home base. Given these drawbacks, Kelly — who’s dug into his own pockets to the tune of $415,000 so far — will need all the outside Republican help he can get, since Dahlkemper raised $320,000 in the second quarter and reported a healthy $1 million on hand through July. She has begun trying to leverage her financial edge by releasing her first ad in August, a positive 60-second spot that highlights her opposition to “cap and trade” legislation. That bill, which was pushed by her party in Congress, was strongly opposed by many of her constituents. But Kelly is sure to bring up her vote in favor of the Democratic health care reform bill. To survive in this tough environment, she’ll need to hope the narrative of political independence sells with voters.

4. Patrick Murphy (D-8). Previous ranking: 4 (tie). Is Republican challenger Mike Fitzpatrick up 7 points, as his internal polling suggests? Probably not. But it’s increasingly clear that the Democratic incumbent Murphy faces a severe test against the man he unseated in 2006. In a district that some national analysts consider a bellwether for the 2010 midterms, Murphy has emerged as a rising Democratic star, leading the repeal movement for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and claiming a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee. But he could suffer from his connection to President Barack Obama, even in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Murphy’s warchest will be substantial, but Fitzpatrick has proven to be an expert fundraiser. This seat could go either way.

5. Mark Critz (D-12). Previous ranking: 9. There’s now little doubt that Republican Tim Burns remains a viable threat to unseat Critz, who beat him in a May special election. A series of polls have reported the Washington County businessman holds a small lead against the incumbent, with one internal poll saying he’s up as many as 5 points. In the conservative, blue-collar 12th District in southwestern Pennsylvania, it should be no surprise that a Republican leads a Democrat in a year so favorable to the GOP. Republican insiders vow that Burns remains committed to running his campaign, even though other analysts can’t quite forget May’s special election, which Critz won by a stunning seven points despite polling that favored Burns. Since then he’s distanced himself from his party’s leadership, which should help his cause. Ultimately, it boils down to a basic question: Will November’s pattern follow May’s, or was May’s victory simply a by-product of competitive Democratic primaries in the gubernatorial and Senate elections that drove up turn out?

6 (tie). Chris Carney (D-10). Previous ranking: 8. In such a difficult political climate, the two-term incumbent Carney should be a prime target for Republicans in his right-leaning 10th District. And according to some polls, GOP challenger Tom Marino is already up by double-digits. But the former U.S. Attorney Marino has repeatedly stumbled on the campaign trail, no more so than when he explicitly told a local radio host in late August that future generations might need to eliminate Social Security benefits for themselves to keep the program financially solvent. The candidate’s campaign quickly walked back the comments, but the damage was done in a district full of older residents. Still, this race rises in our vulnerability rankings due to the political climate, which has made it possible that the national political fundamentals will overpower local factors.

6 (tie). Charlie Dent (R-15). Previous ranking: 4 (tie). Despite the Democrats’ inexorably expanding list of threatened incumbents nationwide, the party seems committed to helping John Callahan, the Bethlehem mayor who’s challenging the moderate Dent in this swing district in the Lehigh Valley. Callahan remains a strong recruit, and if he could actually pull off the win, it would give the Democratic majority a bit of breathing room to absorb losses elsewhere. Still, the across-the-board momentum for Republicans over the past month has convinced us to drop this district down our vulnerability list. While it remains the most vulnerable GOP-held seat in the state, we’re dropping it several notches in this month’s ranking.

8. Jason Altmire (D-4). Previous ranking: 6. Altmire, like Dahlkemper, struck in August with a television ad that seeks to distance himself from the House Democratic leadership, citing his votes against the health care reform bill and against the TARP bailout for Wall Street. And like Dahlkemper, Altmire has the werewithal to mount a significant ad campaign: He reported a big fundraising advantage over his GOP opponent in July, leading attorney and political novice Keith Rothfus in cash on hand, $1.5 million to $200,000. The NRCC’s decision not to reserve time here yet suggests that Republicans consider this contest to be in the second tier of Pennsylvania House races. That view may have gained some credence when Altmire released an internal poll showing him up, 51 percent-24 percent. We don’t buy that he’s that far up, though he probably has an edge at this point. Still, this blue-collar seat is well positioned to flip during a GOP wave – especially if the NRCC jumps in or if Rothfus begins to raise serious money on his own.

9. Tim Holden (D-17). Previous ranking: 10. Holden remains the Democratic House Member in the state whose position is as strong as it was a month ago. This is partly a tribute to Holden’s ability to hold his GOP-tilting district through a savvy voting record and a personal connection to his constituents. It’s also a reflection of the lagging campaign of state Sen. Dave Argall. Argall barely won a primary against non-descript opponents and reported just $29,000 in the bank in July – far behind Holden’s $885,000. We’ve seen no sign that he’s upped the metabolism enough to break Holden’s grip on the district. A big GOP wave could still carry Argall to victory, but the way things look now, he’d be the last of the GOP challengers to reach shore.

10. Jim Gerlach (R-6). Previous ranking: 7. Gerlach drops down our vulnerability list primarily because of the recent GOP surge. Democratic challenger Manan Trivedi, a physician and Iraq veteran, remains an intriguing candidate, but a wave election benefiting the opposite party is an awful time to be an intriguing candidate. Of the two vulnerable GOP-held seats, the big differences between Gerlach’s and Dent’s is that Dent faces a top-drawer Democratic recruit (Trivedi won a sharply divided primary) and the Lehigh Valley media market is considerably cheaper than Gerlach’s Philadelphia media market. Barring a major, unexpected problem for Gerlach, Trivedi seems to have a steep climb to victory this fall.

Alex Roarty is a staff writer with PoliticsPA.com.

Louis Jacobson, a staff writer with PolitiFact.com, has handicapped state races for the Cook Political Report, the Rothenberg Political Report, Roll Call, stateline.org and Governing.

On the trail

Sen. Byron Dorgan from North Dakota will be campaigning with Joe Sestak in Philadelphia at a job training center.

Pat Toomey is holding a press conference in Pittsburgh to talk about how the new health care bill is hurting medical device manufacturers.

Pat Toomey is also holding a press conference with Former Governor Tom Ridge in State College where Ridge will talk about how he believes Toomey’s economic policies will help Pennsylvania. It will be interesting to see what Ridge, as a former Governor, has to say about Toomey’s no-tax pledge.

Dan Onorato will be talking about Marcellus Shale in Easton.

Then, Dan Onorato heads to Philly to continue his Marcellus Shale tour. He is receiving an endorsement from an environmental organization.

Sen. Casey will be giving a speech on Afghanistan at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Then, he will be touring the renovated Lancaster train station.

Today’s Headlines

Commonwealth Confidential: Veep to Host Fundraiser for Sestak

Politico: Don’t count out ‘underdog’

PhillyClout: Rendell: GOP “Being Taken Over By Wackos”

Post-Gazette: Remembering 9/11: Shanksville area residents oppose commercialization of Flight 93 resting place

Tribune-Review: Specter said about the Senate race: “It’s going to be a dogfight. I wouldn’t call it a horse race, I’d call it a dogfight.”

Commonwealth Confidential: Senate Opponent of Wall Street De-Reg Stumps with Sestak

Times-News: Toomey gets state FOP endorsement

PA2010.com: RGA moves cash for Corbett

Inquirer: Corbett’s petition investigation draws political fire

Inquirer: In Pa. Governor’s race, candidates run from being seen as an ‘insider’

Politico: NRCC adds four new Dem targets (including Rep. Murphy) (h/t PA2010.com)

PA2010.com: Christie to campaign for Meehan again

The Fix: The top eight redistricting battles of 2010 (Pa. is number 3)

C-SPAN: 7^th Congressional District Election Overview

PA2010.com: Conservative group targets Dahlkemper, Kanjorski on health care

Inquirer: Murphy, Fitzpatrick clash in first debate in Bucks race

2 Political Junkies: Congressman Doyle responds (h/t Early Returns)

Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania gaming board rebuffs treasurer

And finally from our friends at Commonwealth Confidential… Gov. Rendell for W.H. Chief of Staff?

Today’s Opinions

Post-Gazette: Tax the rich: But extend the other Bush-era tax reductions

Inquirer: Preaching bigotry

On the trail

Tim Kaine, the chairman of the DNC and Gov. Rendell will be in Philly to kick off the fall campaign for the Democratic Party.

Then, an hour later, Pat Toomey will be announcing a major endorsement in Philly.

Joe Sestak will be speaking in Harrisburg, where he will be going after Pat Toomey’s economic proposals.

Sen. Casey will be presenting the export achievement award to a company in Mt. Braddock. Then, he will be in Johnstown to talk about legislative efforts to help small businesses.

Rep. Kanjorski will be talking about how the Wall Street Reform bill will help small businesses in Wilkes-Barre.

Today’s Headlines

Early Returns: Pence hits Pelosi for Rothfus

Inquirer: Toomey got millions in earmarks before railing against them

Early Returns: Two new Toomey ads

Post-Gazette: Gas-drilling moratorium won’t happen here, governor says

PA2010.com: Sestak frames an economic debate against Toomey

PA2010.com: Altmire poll memo claims huge lead

Commonwealth Confidential: Plouffe to Dems: Forget Pundits, Knock on Doors

Commonwealth Confidential: Dem Trivedi with first ad in 6^th CD Race

The Daily Delco: Secret suburban Tea Party party?

Courier Times: Fitzpatrick, Murphy at odds over tax cuts

Daily News: Feds: He sold inferior metal for Navy subs

From Twitter: @Capitol_Ideas PA Dems name Ann Knaus as new finance director. Kevin Wash (ex-Casey) is E.D., Mark Nicastre running press. Staff up time.

@Capitol_Ideas Acting DPW Secretary Harriet Dichter is now ex-DPW secretary. Gov. Ed taps Michael Nardone as her acting replacement.

Today’s Opinions

John Baer: For guv, it’s anybody’s race, if anybody cares

Dan Simpson: Tax shale gas and greedy CEOs

On the trail

Joe Sestak will be delivering what his campaign is calling a major speech on job creation at Carnegie Mellon University.

Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, will be appearing with Keith Rothfus at an event in Pittsburgh.

Sen. Casey will be at the swearing in of the new U.S. Attorney in Pittsburgh.

Weekend (and Monday) Headlines

Times-News: Pennsylvania Senate Republicans write Marcellus Shale tax bill

Post-Gazette: Toomey, Sestak offer different tax plans

AP: Can feisty Onorato overtake Corbett for governor

Times-Tribune: To win, Onorato needs Lackawanna, Luzerne

CNN: Suburban Philadelphia grudge match a test of GOP wave

Inquirer: In Pa., 7 House races to watch

Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania voters could set tone for nation

Bumsted: The Rendell albatross

Tribune-Review: McKeesport mayor Brewster will run for Logan’s seat

Rasmussen: 67 percent of Pennsylvanians Say Members of Congress Don’t Care What Their Constituents Think

Morning Call: Onorato brings no-nonsense style to campaign

Today’s Headlines

Post-Gazette: And they’re off: Holiday starts election season

Patriot-News: Easy wins could be over for Holden

Tribune-Review: Corbett, like Thornburgh, plays the anti-corruption card

Tribune-Review: Union ads to highlight deficient bridges in Pennsylvania

Courier-Times: 8^th District could decide House fortunes

Inquirer: John H. Estey emerges from the background as a power broker

Today’s Opinions

Inquirer: Cleaning up one oil mess

Post-Gazette: Choice challenged: Abortion is on the defensive around the country

Tribune-Review: Rendell’s gas leases: Public be damned

Patriot-News: State would benefit from submitting revised I-80 tolling plan

Congressional candidate Manan Trivedi and other Democrats are criticizing Republican Jim Gerlach after his campaign spokesman said Trivedi “played the race card” by raising money from Indian-American groups, with at least one Democratic congresswoman questioning whether Campbell should be fired.

But the spokesman, longtime Gerlach aide Mark Campbell, remained defiant in the face of the criticism, saying he has nothing to apologize for while reiterating that Trivedi is the only candidate using his race in the campaign.

The controversy began with a story published Friday morning by The Hill newspaper, in which the Indian-American Trivedi said Gerlach is implicitly using his race against him in the 6^th District battle.

“There are some signs that he might be pushing the ‘he’s not one of us’ arguments,” Trivedi told the newspaper.

In the article, Campbell rejected Trivedi’s criticism, saying the Republican’s campaign is simply saying the Democrat doesn’t share the “common-sense values” of 6th District residents.

“The only one who has played the race card here is him, by going to Indian-American groups to raise money,” he told the Capitol Hill paper.

That statement brought an avalanche of criticism from Democrats on Friday, some of whom, though not Trivedi, suggested Campbell should be fired.

Trivedi, a Berks County resident former battlefield surgeon in the Navy who served in Iraq, said in a statement that no American citizen should be shut out of the Democratic process.

“These are hardworking Americans who pay their taxes and contribute to society,” he said. “Congressman Gerlach’s campaign is saying that somehow they aren’t good enough to participate in our democracy. Like many Americans I am so proud of my heritage and grateful for all of the support I’ve received and believe absolutely no one, for any reason, should ever feel shut out of the democratic process.”

Other Democrats, from neighboring Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz to U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), took their criticism a step farther. They questioned if Campbell should be fired.

“Like many others, I was appalled at the racially insensitive comment made by the Gerlach campaign,” Schwartz said in a statement. “What is worse though, is that Congressman Gerlach has remained silent, neither refuting the statement or taking appropriate action regarding his staff.

“Jim Gerlach has clearly lost touch with our area if he thinks that these racially insensitive comments are going to help him win him this election,” she continued. “People rightfully should expect their Representatives to encourage greater participation of all Americans in the democratic process, as voters, volunteers, and supporters. Jim Gerlach should immediately refute his campaign’s racially insensitive comments towards Indian Americans and take appropriate action regarding his staff.”

Wasserman Schultz asked if it was considered “playing the race card” when she raises money in the Jewish community.

“If this person were on my staff I would fire him and/or Congressman Gerlach should fire this person and/or Congressman Gerlach should apologize,” she said.

But in an interview with PoliticsPA on Friday afternoon, Campbell denied he had anything to apologize for and reiterated that the only candidate to discuss race was Trivedi himself. The spokesman questioned whether the quote was completely accurate but said whether it was or not didn’t matter.

“I still have nothing to apologize for,” he said.

He called any insinuation that Gerlach was making Trivedi’s race an issue “ridiculous.” The Republican’s campaign is focused on highlighting its opponent’s liberal policy agenda, which he said includes support for single-payer health care and raising taxes.

The spokesman doubled down on his earlier comment that Trivedi is the only candidate to mention race.

“The only one to talk about Trivedi’s race is Trivedi, and he does that every time he tries to raise money,” said Campbell, who added that he thinks the Democrat is a “laughable amateur.”

Trivedi is considered one of two Democrats in the state with a chance to unseat a Republican incumbent this year, although the task has become far more difficult as the political climate has worsened for Democrats. Gerlach has represented the left-leaning 6^th District since 2002, surviving tough challenges in 2004 and 2006 to hold the seat in years for less favorable to Republicans that this one.

Up – Manan Trivedi brought in the big guns this week, including Sen. Casey, U.S. Rep. Wasserman-Schultz, an up and comer in the Democratic party, and, most notably, DNC Chair Tim Kaine and Vice-Chair U.S. Rep. Mike Honda from California. The 6th District Democrat faces an uphill battle against GOP incumbent Jim Gerlach, but this week was a signal he remains very much in the game.

Up – Tim Solobay. The Democratic Washington County state representative turned state Senate candidate had a good fundraising swing through Philadelphia recently as he tries to replace retiring Democratic incumbent Barry Stout. Democrats need to hold onto every seat they can in the Senate, and Solobay is making sure they do even in a tough year for the party.

Down/Up – Dan Onorato. The Democratic gubernatorial nominee likely found a winning issue this week when he touted his support of aseverance tax on natural gas extraction — it’s something likely popular with Democrats and moderates alike, particularly in the southeast. The bad news? Polls continue to show Republican opponent Tom Corbett’s lead building, despite what Onorato might say.

Up – The budget. August tax revenue in Pennsylvania came in above estimate for the first time in nearly two years, Governor Ed Rendell reported this week. With the state counting on revenue growth in this year’s budget, it’s a welcome sign for a state facing looming billion-dollar deficits.

“The typical Washington politicians helps Wall Street; I’m focused on Main Street,” Callahan says to start the ad as he walks down a North Bethlehem street.

The ad spotlights Callahan’s plan to help small businesses before pivoting to slam Dent as a supporter of bailouts, CEO bonuses and policies that “led to the recession.”

“Congress Dent: He works for Wall Street,” the mayor said.

Dent began his own TV campaign almost simultaneously, pa2010 reports. Callahan’s race in the 15th District is seen as one of the Democratic Party’s few opportunities to defeat an incumbent Republican this year, although a seemingly worsening political climate for Democrats could make the race an uphill fight for the mayor.

On the trail

Mike Kelly will be announcing a jobs plan throughout the 3^rd district.

Sen. Casey will be in Harrisburg having an event dealing with early childhood education and then having an event honoring his father.

Rep. Pitts will be discussing manufacturing in Quarryville.

PoliticsPA Reports

PoliticsPA: Obama is coming to Philly on September 20th to raise money for Joe Sestak

PA2010.com: Court dismisses challenge of Schneller signatures

Washington Post: David Broder chronicles the Governor’s race

PhillyClout: After a week of attacks on Sestak from Toomey on a questionable earmark, Joe Sestak said yesterday that he made an error.

Politically Uncorrected: Obama’s Best Bad Option

Today’s Headlines

Times-Tribune: Kanjorski backs repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy

PA2010.com: Huckabee backs Marino in the 10th

Early Returns: GOP: Burns up 5 in PA12

Times-News: Onorato campaigns in Erie

Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette asks court to release document in Orie investigation

Today’s Opinions

Patriot-News: Harrisburg should hire a bankruptcy attorney

Post-Gazette: Timely talks: Obama opens his push for a Middle East accord

President  Barack Obama will hold a fundraiser for Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Joe Sestak on Sept. 20 in Philadelphia, his office confirmed Friday morning.

It’s the first event Obama will have held for Sestak since the candidate defeated incumbent Democrat Senator Arlen Specter, whom the president supported. Sestak challenged Specter against the wishes of the president, who also held a fundraiser in Philadelphia for Specter before the primary, and the rest of the Democratic Party.

“We’re honored that the President would do an event with Joe during his trip to Pennsylvania,” said spokesman Jonathon Dworkin in a statement. “He and Joe may have had their differences, but they can agree that it is critical to elect a Senator who will put Pennsylvania’s working families first.”

The fundraiser will be one of several events Obama holds in Pennsylvania that day.

Sestak faces Republican U.S. Senate nominee Pat Toomey in November.

On the trail

Joe Sestak will be marching in the Grange Fair parade in Centre Hall

Rep. Pitts will be touring the renovations at the Lancaster train station.

Rep. Kanjorski is having a picnic in Scranton.

PoliticsPA Reports

PoliticsPA: DSCC releases new ad attacking Pat Toomey for his ties to Wall Street and his plans for social security.

PoliticsPA: If Onorato is as close as he says he is (5 or 6 points), he better have a really good get out the vote effort because polls show that he does better among registered voters than likely voters.

PoliticsPA: Dan Onorato knows where he is going to find some revenue. Today, he gave reporters details on his plan for a severance tax on natural gas. He also took the opportunity to challenge Tom Corbett by saying he is a shrill of the gas industry.

PoliticsPA: Manan Trivedi is bringing in the big guns this week, so far he has had Rep. Mike Honda from California, Rep. Wasserman-Schultz from Florida, Sen. Casey and now DNC Chairman Tim Kaine is coming to campaign for him.

Politifact: Sestak’s new ad “mostly true”

PA2010.com: Lentz donated to Santorum in 2000

Today’s Headlines

Commonwealth Confidential: DNC Chair will speak about the Democrats fall message in a major speech in Philly next week

Early Returns: Rick Santorum will be delivering a speech about religion in the public square in Texas next week.

PA2010.com: Callahan hitting the airwaves

Hotline calls Murphy-Fitzpatrick race one of 5 “bellwether” battles across the country.

One we missed from yesterday — Daily News takes Corbett to task over new ad’s contradictions

Rothenberg Political Report: Is Rasmussen Better Than Its Reputation?

“An Aug. 16 Rasmussen survey in the highly competitive Senate race in Pennsylvania showed former Rep. Pat Toomey (R) ahead of Rep. Joe Sestak (D) by 8 points, 48 percent to 40 percent. A poll taken during the same time (Aug. 14-16) by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling showed Toomey with a 9-point advantage, 45 percent to 36 percent.

In June, Rasmussen had Toomey ahead of Sestak by 6 points, while PPP had the race tied.

Rasmussen and PPP also showed identical results in the Keystone State’s race for governor. Former Attorney General Tom Corbett (R) led Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato (D) by 11 points in a recent Rasmussen survey and by 13 points according to PPP.”

Times-Tribune: Think tank warns of gas industry tax breaks

AP: Prison project halted by judge

Chris Potter at the Pittsburgh City Paper says the Koch brothers (they of the New Yorker profile) have donated $9,500 to Pat Toomey in the last year.

Today’s Opinions

WILK: Local radio host Steve Corbett continues to not be a fan of Tom Marino

The Inquirer liked the president’s oval office address.

The Times-Tribune had a pair of editorials this morning about the legislature and transportation funding.

Tribune-Review: LCB’s snootful