Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. The Orie sisters’ fall from grace continues, and so does the back-and-forth between the Obama and Romney campaigns.

Obama Camp Keeps Up Bain Attack, Romney Camp Cites Booker (Watch Video): In President Obama’s latest video, his campaign once again attacked Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital by interviewing former employees of a company which was purchased by Bain and subsequently went out of business.

5/18 Ups & Downs: Some boneheaded mistakes earn two Republicans a spot, but three other GOPers get Ups. Plus, a win for good government. Here are this week’s Ups & Downs!

Jane Orie Resigned Today: She’s due to be sentenced later Monday, June 4…

And Judge Joan Orie Melvin Charged Friday: Following a lengthy grand jury investigation, Friday Judge Joan Orie Melvin became the third Orie sister accused (one already having been convicted) of campaign-related felonies.

President Obama Coming To Phila. June 12th: President Obama is coming to Philadelphia June 12th to raise money and speak with graduating seniors from a city high school. The RNC responds by calling out the President on his economic policies for young Americans.

Santorum Asks Supporters for $10: Although he’s never been one for handouts, former Sen. Rick Santorum has been reaching out to his supporters for help in paying off his roughly $1 million debt from campaigning for the Republican Presidential Nomination by asking for $10 donations.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-129: In perhaps the most balance premise of all time, the Pa Progressive asks why Republican state Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks) hates puppies. Also interviews his opponent Erik Saar.

National
Tribune-Review: Biden’s speech falls on deaf ears
Politico: Dems’ bid for House majority not simple math
Politico: Gay activists to Obama: what’s next?
Politico: Romney camp fundraising stalled in April
Politico: DNC outraises RNC in April
Roll Call: Senators urge Supreme Court to uphold law banning corporate donations
National Journal: Republicans attack Obama on debt ceiling
National Journal: Three men charged with terrorist conspiracy against Obama’s Chicago campaign office
Washington Post: Obama, Karzai meet before NATO summit opens
New York Times: How national belt-tightening goes awry
New York Times: How the Mormon church shaped Romney
New York Times: In largely symbolic move, NAACP to endorse same-sex marriage
The Caucus: Mayor Cory Booker criticizes Obama campaign
The Caucus: Gingrich campaign at least $4.8 million in debt
AP: Obama sees ‘emerging consensus’ on economic fix
The Caucus: A drop in fundraising for the Obama campaign
The Hill: Senate Iran sanctions bill stalls as GOP calls for tougher measures
The Hill: Sen. Lieberman: White House inching closer to military response in Syria
The Hill: Boehner: New law to punish tax-dodgers for renouncing citizenship ‘unnecessary’
The Hill: House GOP, Romney take aim at Obama’s stance on coal industry
The Hill: Sen. Graham: Jeb Bush is best possible pick for Romney’s running mate
Philly Tribune: Anti-Romney ad challenges Bain success
National Journal: Axelrod: Romney’s Mormonism off the table
Five Thirty Eight: The most powerful special interest in Washington: the acronym
Fox Philadelphia: Romney said Obama undermining NATO
AP: Plan to quote Wright in campaign ads dropped
AP: Obama’s home-turf summits will test his leverage
AP: Obama sees “emerging consensus” on economic fix
AP: Dems claim GOP trying to sabotage economy to hurt Obama
AP: Geisinger Health Systems seeks facts on Marcellus Shale gas drilling
AP: Party leaders refuse to budge on debt positions
AP: Conservative donors slow to back Romney’s campaign
AP: NATO shifts to help an elusive Afghanistan peace
AP: Twenty-two states join campaign finance fight
AP: Obama nominates Pa. attorney for federal bench
AP: Romney, Sen. Brown play down past connections
AP: Romney campaign releases first TV ad of general election, calls it ‘Day One’
AP: With cookies and conversations, Romney tries charm
AP: Christie bashes Obama for ‘posing and preening’
AP: Romney releases first general election TV ad
AP: Early political spats suggest nothing off-limits
AP: April is strong for Romney and GOP with a $40M haul
AP: Political vulnerabilities in Sen. Rubio’s past

Statewide
AP: Former Rep. DeWeese released on bail pending appeal
AP: Is Pa. really a swing state?
Tribune-Review: Shale gas ventures lead to piggyback investments
Tribune-Review: Prosecutors seek long prison term for former Rep. Mike Veon
Tribune-Review: Former state Dem leader Mellow pleads guilty in corruption case
Valley News Dispatch: Oakmont attorney named to state labor relations board
Post-Gazette: House approves defense budget that would retain 911th
Post-Gazette: Pa. unemployment rate falls even with larger workforce
Post-Gazette: How Romney will choose his running mate
Post-Gazette: Biden continues blasting Romney’s business record
The Washington Post: Conservative Interest groups spend freely to alter Congress
Early Returns: Joan Orie Melvin faces charges
Altoona Mirror: Privatizing liquor shops divides politicians
Centre Daily Times: Democratic leader Debbie Wasserman Schultz targeted by Republican hopefuls
Slate: Ben Stein: Obama “not that smart, Nixon a “genius”

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Judge rejects calls to resign
Inquirer: Thomas Fitzgerald: So much for third parties
Philly Clout: State Senator says AVI should be revenue neutral
Fox Philadelphia: Cory Booker slams Obama campaign for Bain attack
KYW Newsradio: Corruption Charges Announced Against Pa. Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin
KYW Newsradio: Analysis: Ad Dollars Suggest Pennsylvania Will Be An Election Battleground
KYW Newsradio: Sen. Bob Casey Irate Over Ex-Pat Gazillionaires Not Paying US Taxes
PhillyNOW: Rep. Bob Brady Co-Sponsors ‘Voter Empowerment Act’ as Obama Camp Releases Web-Based Voter Assistance
PhillyNOW: Sen. Bob Casey to Tax Facebook Expatriate
PhillyNOW: Pennsylvania Legislators Fight United Nations Effort to Strip Parental Rights

SEPA
AP: TV Blitz begins, but is PA really a swing state?
AP: Romney Denounces idea of Obama-Wright campaign ads

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Face of politics in South Hill gets a new look

Southwest
Somerset Daily American: Tokar-Ickes announces final run for Commissioner

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Convicted Lackawanna County Commissioners ask for more time with appeal
Pocono Record:  Marino (R-10) to hold a town hall meeting in Stroud County Monday evening.
Pocono Record: Pollster says the Poconos could swing Pa. in Presidential race.

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Analysis: Obama and Romney Start attack ads early

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: U.S. Senate votes on Pat Toomey budget proposal
Reading Eagle: John Forester: Round 2 of State Budget Slugfest
WFMZ: PA. jobless rate keeps dropping as more find work; Payroll size remains relatively flat
WFMZ: Northampton Co. Council hears update on open spaces

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Bradford County attorney tapped for U.S. judge
Erie Times-News Campaign ’12 Blog: Obama campaign volunteers to register Erie voters in preparation for state ID law going into effect for November
Sharon Herald: It’s just politics: All quiet on the Western Pa. front – almost
Lewistown Sentinel: Corman chats about Pa.’s budget

Opinions
Lewistown Sentinel: Editorial – Seeking the youth vote without much concrete to offer
New York Times: Editorial – The GOP campaign against women
New York Times Op-ed – “Metrosexual black Abe Lincoln”
Washington Post: Op-ed – Mitt Romney fails to see America
Wall Street Journal: Editorial – Bain capitalism 101
Tribune-Review: Obama’s new interactive web ad targets single women
Observer-Reporter: Editorial – Stores Close Doors, Congress Ignores
AP:  Obama stance adds fuel in marriage battlegrounds
Post-Gazette: Pain and suffering: Pa. stacks the deck for health insurance rate hikes
Tribune-Review: Mitt & Remittitur
Tribune-Review: Joe Biden, exposed
Daily Local News: College loans an issue because of joblessness situation
Inquirer Editorial: Obama needs FEC to straighten out super-PACs
Inquirer Op-ed: U.S. must adapt to new energy landscape
Inquirer Op-ed: Third-party movement fizzles
Inquirer Op-ed: Dick Lugar’s departure a sign of Washington paralysis
Inquirer Op-ed: Presidents’ pasts catch up with them
Daily News Op-ed: Same-sex marriage: Who says it’s a right?
Philadelphia Tribune Op-ed: No easy way for Obama on same-sex marriage
USA Today: Why Romney should pursue black voters
Harrisburg Patriot: Pennsylvania business climate still lacking despite Republican leaders
The Sentinel: Supreme support lacking
Citizens Voice: Online voter registration act a good first step
Daily Item: Eliminating the ‘99%’ sends better message

Blogs
ACLU-PA: State Attorney General Refuses to Investigate NYPD Surveillance of Muslims in PA
Young Philly Politics: PA Job Numbers Out, The War On Unemployment Insurance, and Inequality
Keystone State Education Coalition: Archbishop calls for Catholics to lobby for taxpayer funded voucher bailout that could take another billion dollars out of our public schools Keystone State Education Coalition: Restore full funding of the Accountability Block Grant program
Lehigh Valley Independent: Could the Allentown NIZ Stabilize Suburban Home Prices?
Lehigh Valley Independent: Is Economic Development Really Better Off Under Legislator Control?
Lehigh Valley Independent: Land Value Tax and “Structural Reforms”
Lehigh Valley Independent: Could Regional Police Departments Take Over for State Police? Lehigh Valley Independent– Hanover Township Assholes Have a Good Laugh About Screwing Allentown
2 Political Junkies: The Other Shoe Drops: Justice Joan Orie Melvin to be charged
Lehigh Valley Independent: Pat Browne’s Independent Fiscal Office Working As Planned
Lu Lac Political Letter : WHAT DID THEY LEARN?
Pennsylvania Progressive: News & Notes May 19, 2012
Pennsylvania Progressive: Justice Orie Melvin Steps Down, Facing Criminal Charges
Pennsylvania Progressive: Why Does Rep. Jim Cox Hate Puppies?
Keystone Progress: 16th PA Legislator Quits ALEC
Keystone Politics: Could Regional Police Departments Take Over for State Police?
Keystone Politics: Jim Kenney: Pay Non-Violent Cons to Clean Up Philly
Keystone Politics: When Gas Prices Fall, People Keep Riding Transit
Keystone Politics: Bob Casey is So Safe
Keystone Politics: Decarcerate PA: Cancel New Prisons to Reduce Budget Gap
Lu Lac Political Letter -THE SECOND SHOE
John Hanger: Do 31% Solar Tariffs Cripple Or Slow US Solar Development?
Citizen’s Call: Township Manager Kraynik Looks to be Leaving for Upper Merion; Final Deal Still in the Works
Citizen’s Call: New Proposal for Kerlin Farm Property Under Age Restricted Zoning Option Comes Before Planning Commission Monday Night
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: State Supremes Ban Indicted Justice From Her Office