Good morning, politicos. Here’s the buzz.

Campaign ads and web videos kept rolling in yesterday. They show no sign of stopping as we head into the end of August – and the beginning of a packed fall campaign season.

And VP candidate Paul Ryan made his way across the state, visiting both the southwest and southeast.

Romney Ad Keeps Pressure on Welfare “Gutting” (Watch Video): The Romney Campaign released a new web ad today, knocking President Obama on his welfare policies, using a welfare-to-work success story to show why “gutting” the work requirement in welfare will only hurt Americans on welfare.

Ryan Rallies in Southwest PA: In his first Pennsylvania campaign stop since accepting the Republican vice presidential bid, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan blasted President Obama on a myriad of issues ranging from his handling of the economy to Medicare.

Boockvar Releases First Campaign Ad (Watch Video): Kathy Boockvar released a $38k ad buy today highlighting the changes she plans to bring to Washington. The Democratic candidate for PA-8’s message and tone was positive, with clips of her family, workplace and community.

House Majority PAC: The Truth About Rothfus (Watch Video): House Majority PAC has announced a $200,000, two-week ad buy that will air in the Pittsburgh media market starting today. The TV ad, “Problem” aims to “tell the truth” about GOP candidate Keith Rothfus, challenger to incumbent Rep. Mark Critz (D-Cambria) in PA-12.

Legislative Election Updates
SD-15: Clean Water Action announced their endorsement of Rob Teplitz, citing his “commitment to the environment and to the safeguard of our public health and valuable natural resources,” The group has more than 100,000 members statewide and is the nation’s largest grassroots group focused on water, energy and environmental health. Teplitz also promised to make Marcellus Shale drilling a priority to ensure the state takes advantage of projects that would create jobs, reduce the price of natural gas and dependence on foreign oil as well as help the state out financially. But he also said that drilling companies need to pay their fair share. “As state Senator, I will make the gas drilling companies pay a reasonable severance tax in order to fund the environmental oversight and address the infrastructure impacts of the development of the Marcellus Shale,” he said. Teplitz is running against John McNally. They both reside in Dauphin County.

National
Wall Street Journal: White House Encouraged Carlyle to Save Plant
Slate: Why Do Many Minorities Lack ID?
New York Times: Focus of Presidential Campaign Shifts Away From Economy
The Caucus: Obama Attacks Romney’s Proposals for College Financing
The Caucus: Romney’s Attack on Clean Energy: True, With an Asterisk
The Caucus: As Ryan Campaigns, the Abortion Issue Intrudes
The Caucus: Ryan Takes to Pennsylvania to Push Medicare Message
National Journal: Poll: Public Split on Ryan as Veep Choice
NBC: Heading Into Conventions, Obama Has Slim Lead
The Hill: The Hill’s 50 Wealthiest lawmakers
The Hill: Ryan: I’ve got more experience on foreign policy than ’08 Obama
Politico: Gingrich releases his delegates
Politico: Ron Paul gains delegates

Statewide
PA Independent: Corbett’s manufacturing council backs tax reforms, more training
PA Independent: Exemptions in open records law block key information from public eye
State House Sound Bites: Links: State responds to DOJ inquiry, lawmakers question Medicaid eligibility changes
State House Sound Bites: Manufacturing study group concludes work with report
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers seek to clear air on changes to games of chance law
Capitol Ideas: Tuesday Morning Coffee: The Guv picks a fight with the DoJ over Voter ID?
Capitol Ideas: Let the air wars begin in #PA8. Democrat Boockvar releases her first TV commercial
State Impact PA: Drill Bits: DEP’s Faulty Data, Finally a Health Study, and Exxon Pulls Back
State Impact PA: Federal Court Throws Out EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
State Impact PA: “Visiting VP Candidate Paul Ryan’s Record on Energy”
State Impact PA: Township Supervisors Seek Stricter Regulation of Disposal Wells
Capitolwire: Off the floor: Transformation of top Corbett staff continues as Kaiser moves to plum post

Philadelphia
Philly Clout: City homeless street population down
Philly Daily News: Dems speak out against hypothetical Romney education plan
Philly Inquirer: Ryan talks Medicare in West Chester visit
Philly Inquirer: GOP’s Ryan to campaign in Pa.
Philly Daily News: Official issues plea for aid on voter ID
PhillyNow.com: Daily Grinder: Still Fighting ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in PA Senate Race
PhillyNow.com: Corbett Admin. Invokes New Black Panthers in Voter ID Letter to Justice Dept.
Fox Philly: Congressman Ryan Talks Jobs, Medicare in West Chester
ABC Philadelphia: Ryan campaigns in Chester Co., Center City Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan Campaigns in Chester County
WHYY Newsworks: Ryan visits Pa. to blast Obama on jobs, economy
WHYY Newsworks: Volunteers canvass Philly neighborhoods leaving info on Pa.’s voter ID law

SEPA
AP: Report urges steps to boost manufacturing in Pa.
AP: Ryan says he’s happy to cling to guns, religion
AP: Corbett aide rebukes Justice Dept. over voter ID
Delco Daily Times: Chesco Republicans prep for Ryan visit Tuesday
Daily Local News: Update: Paul Ryan motivates crowd in West Goshen
Daily Local News: Thousands show support at Paul Ryan’s Chester County stop

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Unlike Pa, Va to mail voter ID cards
Early Returns: GOP taps English for 30th District
Early Returns: Dem ad hits “millionaire” Rothfus
KDKA: VP Candidate Paul Ryan Makes First Visit To Pittsburgh Area
Tribune Review: Ryan rallies supporters in Rosslyn Farms
Tribune Review: Allegheny County black groups focus on offering voter IDs
Post Gazette: Ryan continues GOP attack on Obama in Rosslyn Farms appearance
Post Gazette: Protesters greet GOP vice presidential candidate Ryan in Carnegie
Post Gazette: Pa. House panel considers action on various taxes
Post Gazette: Settlement revives Pa. mortgage assistance program

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Vice president candidate Ryan speaks at Carnegie steel plant

Lehigh Valley
AP: Constitution Party abandons bid for getting presidential ticket on Pennsylvania ballot
Pennsylvania Ave.: Obama campaign brings the younger Biden to Allentown
Morning Call: In Pennsylvania, Paul Ryan says he’s happy to cling to guns, religion
Morning Call: Looming federal budget cuts creating worries in Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: V.P. candidate Ryan makes first appearance in Pa.
Express Times: Joe Brennan doesn’t have time to devote to office, opponent David Molony said
South Whitehall Patch: Paul Ryan speaks in West Chester

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Beau Biden here Wednesday to rap Romney
The Times-Tribune: Local lawmakers to host seminar on voter ID
Pocono Record: Pa. court to review whether teacher’s home addresses are public info

South Central
York Daily Record: Thousands show support at Paul Ryan’s Chester County stop
Carlisle Sentinel: Hampden Township GOP to host summer picnic
Carlisle Sentinel: Constitution Party abandons bid for Pa. ballot
York Dispatch: York GOP to open Victory Center

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County Dems offering voter registration, ID help
Centre Daily Times: Residents back call for repeal of new voter ID law
Lewistown Sentinel: GOP candidate visits Lewistown

Opinion
Allentown Morning Call Op-ed: Pennsylvania’s lawyers pay tribute to the judges, or else
Centre Daily Times Op-ed: Touching Medicare is touching TNT
Tribune Review: Corbett to Justice: Fish or cut bait
New York Times: Ann Beeson Op-ed: Young people scared straight – into the voting booth?
Post Gazette: Road work: Only Corbett’s green light can fix transportation
Observer-Reporter: Editorial: Do as he says, not as he does
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Editorial: What does Pa. have to hide on Voter ID?

Blogs
The Liberty Blog: Act 6A of 2012 gaming control board funding
The Liberty Blog: Act 5A of 2012 Office of Small Business Advocate funding
Keystone State Education Coalition: The Chester upland “recovery” is not about improving public education, but rather closing schools, cutting staff and converting to charter schools
PA Lu-Lac Politcal Letter: Another Republican lie
The Pennsylvania Progressive: MoveOn.org protests Ryan
The Pennsylvania Progressive: Stupid Republicans
The Pennsylvania Progressive: Berks County investigating Johnny “Doc”
Above Average Jane: Mark your calendars
Keystone Progress: Wind production layoffs looming in Pennsylvania
John Hanger: Federal Court strikes down cross state air pollution rule: big win for those opposing EPA air rules
John Hanger: Shale Gas Truths: IEA head delivers bluntly two key points in Houston