Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. Lots of news this morning: polls, a staff shakeup in the Guv’s office and more.

Thanks to all who’ve served the nation in uniform. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and see you Tuesday.

And don’t forget to check back later today for the Ups & Downs!

PA Dem Leader Defects, Cites Gay Marriage: Democratic party activists will see her sequined dresses at state committee meetings no more. Jo Ann Nardelli, President and founder of the Blair County Federation of Democratic Women and a state committeewoman, has defected to the GOP. The final straw? President Obama’s support for gay marriage.

Poll: Casey 48, Smith 41: Tom Smith is within 7 points of Sen. Bob Casey according to the latest poll by Rasmussen. The competitive numbers come on the heels of a survey yesterday that showed the freshman Senator with a lead more than twice as wide. Updated with reax, crosstabs, and Corbett’s job approval.

Poll: Obama Leads Romney by 6: Politicos continue to debate whether PA is really in play for 2012, but we continue to get the swing state treatment from national pollsters. Rasmussen’s latest numbers show President Obama leading Mitt Romney 47 to 41.

GOP Operatives Quietly Celebrate Corbett Shakeup: Republican officials and operatives across the state celebrated in private Thursday after reports that Gov. Tom Corbett is planning a staff shakeup. They say Corbett has not been effective at getting his agenda through the legislature, nor rebutting his critics.

Sestak Boosts SEPA Challengers: When he wasn’t appearing on cable news or answering questions about whether he’ll run for Governor in 2014, former Rep. and 2010 Senate hopeful Joe Sestak has been busy recently helping local candidates.

Pelosi to Fundraise for Cartwright: Matt Cartwright has landed some big help in fundraising in the race for the 17th Congressional District, as Democrats kiss and make up after last month’s primary.

In Philly, Romney Defends Education Plan: Mitt Romney visited a charter school in West Philadelphia Thursday to engage in a roundtable discussion about education. His cost-cutting policies put him on the defensive.

PA Green Party Rejects Roseanne: Pennsylvania Green Party members dealt actress-comedienne Roseanne Barr a major blow in her bid for the party’s presidential nomination. 4 of 7 PA delegates went to physician Jill Stein.

National
Post-Gazette: Romney unveils plan for schools overhaul
Pennsylvania Avenue: Obama campaign ad: Do we really want to reverse course now?
National Journal: Gingrich: Romney might be “surprisingly good President”
Washington Post: Senate fails to agree on student loan rate freeze
The Caucus: Romney and the long shadow of “Day 1” promises
AP: Search for Romney running mate in audition phase
AP: Romney: Obama doesn’t get free enterprise system
AP: Romney campaign outlines ‘day 1’ of his presidency
AP: In Iowa, Obama to tout election-year energy plan
AP: Obama’s 2008 magic past, Iowa all-out battleground
AP: Obama birth certificate OK by Arizona official
AP: Obama, Dems redoubling money efforts to keep edge
AP: Senate acts to extend flood insurance
AP: In AG race, Freed starts with fundraising edge
Fox Philadelphia: Obama leads Romney in Florida, Ohio and Virginia
Fox Philadelphia : Romney: Obama is attacking capitalism

Statewide
Tribune Review: Orie’s attorney argues she shouldn’t have to pay restitution
Tribune Review: Melvin’s exit may spur ties on court
Tribune Review: Superior Court upholds denial of bail for DeWeese
Tribune Review: Corbett nominated chief of staff for Alleghany County Court
Early Returns: Corbett and fixing Harrisburg’s pipes
Early Returns: Critics: Corbett cuts pathway to the Big House
AP: Corbett revamps voter ID rules
AP: House passes felon-gun bill
AP: Harrisburg financial overseer expected to be fired
Inquirer: Corbett’s top staffer to leave
Inquirer: Corbett to face GOP’s ‘tough love’
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. streamlines process for getting ID needed to vote
PhillyNow: Daily Grinder: 50 Democrats sign brief supporting voter ID challenge
Philadelphia Tribune: Pa. Senate rejects Corbett’s budget cuts
Pennsylvania Avenue: Two polls, two different results in Casey v. Smith senate race
Erie Times News: Sen. Casey unveils new legislation to benefit veterans

Philadelphia
AP: Romney faces tough questions from black leaders
Inquirer: Romney gets an earful at W. Philly charter school
Inquirer: Romney to give school speech in West Phila.
Inquirer: Harrisburg may complicate Philly’s property assessment reform
Daily News: Rogue GOP ward leaders pick a leader
PhillyNow: Philly GOP elects a new chairman-maybe
PhillyNow: Mayor Nutter keeps up blistering Mitt Romney attacks
PhillyClout: City plans to market AVI, explain homestead exemptions
PhillyClout: Council approves bill to fight parking tickets online, mail
KYW Newsradio: Mayor Nutter, DA Williams join anti-Romney protest in West Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Mitt Romney visits West Philadelphia charter school
City Paper: Door Jams

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Former Mercer County bus driver sues over new background check law
Post-Gazette: Ex-Veon aide gets probation in nonprofit case

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Gay marriage stance turns Nardelli over to Republican side

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Casey lands $8.2 million to hire Scranton firefighters.

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Judge Susan Day recertified for office
The Patriot News: Carlisle Borough Council names new manager
The Patriot News: Cumberland County Commissioner Jim Hertzler proposes county hiring freeze
York Daily Record: Jefferson to reduce its council from seven to five members

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pawlowski reiterates Obama’s Romney case in Allentown
Morning Call: Two polls, two different results on Casey v. Smith Senate race
Morning Call: Obama campaign ad: “Do we really want to reverse course now?”
Reading Eagle: Reading schools could cut up to 364 workers
WFMZ: Lehigh commissioners moving toward expediting reassessment appeals
WFMZ: Assembly to vote on raising minimum wage to $8.50

Opinion
Intelligencer Editorial: A new way of doing things in Montco
Tribune Review : Laurels and Lances
Tribune Review: Missile defense: It’s on target
Tribune Review: The Thursday wrap
Post-Gazette: Too little, too late
Post-Gazette: Untimely exits: The U.S is losing valuable diplomatic expertise
Post-Gazette: Rights affirmed: The NAACP sticks to principal on a divisive issue
Observer-Reporter: Editorial: Another debt limit debacle ahead?
Inquirer Editorial: Cory Booker is right, but he’s wrong
Daily News Op-ed: Bob Casey and Me: A love grown cold
Daily News Editorial: With new site, city government gets it right-finally
WHYY Newsworks Op-ed: Why Mitt Romney would visit a charter school in West Philly
Courier Times Editorial: Failure: Evaluating teacher evaluations
Centre Daily Times: Editorial – Educate students about debt obligations
The Times-Tribune: Pandering addiction proves costly
Daily Item: Plan sets needed pension reform in motion
Standard Speaker: At last, serious talks of property tax reform
The Patriot News: Step Down: Justice Joan Orie Melvin has compromised the integrity of the state’s Supreme Court
York Daily Record: Our Take: Pennsylvania needs a pension plan

Blogs
Casablanca Pa: HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?
Young Philly Politics: A face of Philly ed reform likes the womenfolk silent and tending to the children
Keystone State Education Coalition: Thousands take to streets to demonstrate against cuts to education in Pa.
Commonwealth Foundation: The Booze Business is a Lose Business for Taxpayers
PA Budget and Policy Center: PA General Assembly Is Advancing a Budget that Leaves Money on the Table
Lehigh Valley Independent: Autonomous Vehicles Could Radically Reduce the Need for Parking
NEPArtisan: Meet Up: Luzerne Co. Young Democrats & Young Dems Conference In Philly
2 Political Junkies: Daryl Metcalfe – Not Just Crazie, ARIZONA Crazie
Lu Lac Political Letter: WHAT BIDEN MEANS
Lu Lac Political Letter: McCONNELL’S SILLINESS
Lu Lac Political Letter: LAWTON’S LANDMINES
Lu Lac Political Letter:THE BIRTHERS ARE BACK!!!
Lu Lac Political Letter: STRIKING A CHORD
Pennsylvania Progressive: News & Notes May 24, 2012
Pennsylvania Progressive: Dem Committeewoman, Citing Her Bigotry, Flips to GOP
Above Average Jane: Daryl Metcalfe, Women’s Health Expert
Keystone Politics: Philadelphia AFL-CIO Reacts to Romney’s Plan for Public Education
Keystone Politics: How to Make Local Elections Competitive in One-Party Cities
Keystone Politics: Which Democrat Will Lehigh GOPers Pick to Serve Out the Rest of Don Cunningham’s Term?
Keystone Politics: PA’s Black Voters Moving Toward Obama on Marriage Equality
Keystone Politics: AG: Kathleen Kane Leads GOPer Dave Freed, 42-33
John Hanger: PJM Power Pool Doubles Renewable Energy: Green Power Booms In Home of Marcellus Shale Region
John Hanger: PJM Power Pool Says It Is Handling “Massive” Shift From Coal To Gas