Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

The latest poll shows Obama ahead; a prominent Republican takes a big shot at Corbett; Dems back off an anti-Rothfus claim; and Libertarian Gary Johnson wins a ballot access ruling.
And don’t miss Friday’s Ups & Downs.

Inquirer Poll: Obama Widens Lead to 11 in PA: President Obama has opened up a sizeable lead over Mitt Romney in Pennsylvania, according to a poll commissioned by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

GOP Super Donor: “Tom Corbett is not a leader”: Scott Wagner contributed more than $40,000 to put Tom Corbett into the Governor’s mansion, but the businessman and Republican super donor isn’t pleased with the pace of progress. In an op-ed Friday, Wagner says, “Tom Corbett is not a leader. Pennsylvania has a weak CEO in Tom Corbett.”

Schwartz, Dems Stress Importance of Wall Street Reforms: Rep. Allyson Schwartz Friday joined fellow Congressmen Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Barney Frank (D-MA) in highlighting the importance of the Wall St regulation Dodd-Frank implemented by the Obama Administration.

DCCC Scrubs Rothfus-China Reference (Watch Videos): Last week, Republicans pushed back against claims that congressional challenger Keith Rothfus had business links with China. Today, Democrats seemed to back down. They removed the reference from a new version of their television ad.

GOP Super PAC Ponies Up $239K for Rothfus: A super PAC aimed at boosting Republican congressional candidates has earmarked $239K for television ads to support Keith Rothfus in his race against Mark Critz.

Libertarian Gary Johnson Wins First Ballot Fight; GOP to Appeal: A Pa. Court ruled that Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson has enough petition signatures to appear on the ballot in Pennsylvania, but Republicans are expected to appeal the decision by the end of the day Friday.

Legislative Election Updates

Candidates: please add press@politicspa.com to your press list.

SD-17: In case you missed it, here’s Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montco) on Al Sharpton’s MSNBC show. He faces GOP upstart Charles Gehret.

HD-3: The Pa. Department of Public Welfare downgraded Erie County from “urban” to “rural,” and Dem candidate Ryan Bizzarro says that’s not OK. He faces Republican Jason Owen for the seat of retiring Rep. John Hornaman.

HD-120: This race, which coulda (not shoulda) been on the radar, has been pretty quiet according to Pittston Politics. Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) faces Aaron Kaufer.

National
Politico: Inside the campaign: How Mitt stumbled
Politico: Pennsylvania poll: Obama up by 11
National Journal Hotline: Congressional Insiders: Who Had the Better Convention?
New York Times: Poll Finds Obama Is Erasing Romney’s Edge on Economy
Slate: Thanks to fracking, carbon emissions are at the lowest levels in 20 years

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: Western PA lawmaker tries again on cell phone ban for drivers
Capitol Ideas: Another look at the voter fraud issue driving the Voter ID debate
State House Sound Bites: On voter ID, inconsistencies on both sides
PA Independent: Week in Review – Court to rule on how your vote should count
PA Independent: Libertarians win battle for ballot access, but war against GOP continues

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Poll: Obama has commanding lead in N.J.
Inquirer: Indicted Phila. judge suspended with pay, for now
Inquirer: Corbett transparency may have its limits
Inquirer: State agrees to change to ease getting voter ID
Inquirer: At voter-ID hearing, Pa. justices have tough questions and a surprise
Inquirer: Pennsylvania panel asks Corbett for moratorium on executions until December 2013
Daily News: Clout: Pol’s plan leaves bad taste in its Wake
Daily News: Justices hear arguments on fate of voter-ID law
Daily News: Feds: Judge, legislator’s aide stole state grant money
Inquirer: Pennsylvania justices hear arguments over new legislative maps
Heard in the Hall: Mulgrew suspended
PhillyClout: One of these park upkeep nonprofits is not like the other
PhillyClout: Mulgrew removed from Traffic Court bench after indictment
PhillyClout: Friday’s DN — Developer cleans up city lot, city calls it trespassing
PhillyNow: DAILY GRINDER: Democrats Raising Cash on Voter ID Challenge
Philly Tribune: Voter ID rally spurs emotions
Philly Tribune: High Court mulls controversial law
Philly Tribune: Property tax plans top Council agenda
Philly Tribune: Fraud charges for Traffic Court judge, spouse
KYW Newsradio: In Pennsylvania, Getting A Voter ID Could Be A Little Easier
KYW Newsradio: Sen. Casey Pushes For Better Legal Protections For Pregnant Workers
WHYY Newsworks: Federal, Pa. grants to fund energy-efficiency upgrade of Philly apartments

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: House Republicans pass ‘No More Solyndras’ Bill
Pottstown Mercury: Spoiler Alert: Four third-party candidates who could complicate elections
Bucks Local News: Council Rock named one of the ‘100 Best Communities for Young People’ by America’s Promise
Bucks Local News: Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick proposes legislation to benefit ‘Children of Fallen Heroes’
Daily Local: West Chester school board, teachers bat proposals

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Dr. Jill Biden makes stop in Strip District
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania races in House could tip the balance in Congress

Southwest
Times Online: Romney son to visit Beaver County GOP committee Thursday
The Indiana Gazette: Toretti: Pennsylvania still in play for GOP

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Devil is in details in Scranton’s new recovery plan
Citizens Voice: House minority leader not satisfied with voter ID access
Standard Speaker: Shrinking grant adds to city woes
Pocono record: Monroe County townships spend more on convention
Pocono Record: Romney puts team in place locally

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Video: Candidate draws a dozen supporters to rally on steps of Franklin County Courthouse
Carlisle Sentinel: Report: One Pa. justice’s concerns about ID law stand out
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Lemoyne Borough Council targets zoning changes vote in October
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Middletown Borough Council approves plan to rearrange offices
York Daily Record: Report: Campaigning at the York Fair a ‘unique opportunity that provides a lot of people’
York Dispatch: Report: Activists Make Push To Get IDs to PA Voters

Opinion
The Times-Tribune: Recommend? No; seek bids
The Times-Tribune: State still short-changed on gas cash
Citizens Voice: Dismissed prothonotary should give up salary
Daily Item: Is there a literacy crisis?
Standard Speaker: Cutting food waste should be priority
Observer Reporter: Editorial: Now, election is about ideology and competence
The Daily Review: Robert Swift: Capitol Matters: Debate continues over voter ID
USA Today: Editorial: Under ObamaCare, 3.6 million more people insured
Wall Street Journal: Peggy Noonan column: Romney Has a Chance to Surprise at Debates
New York Times: Steven Rattner Op-Ed: Beyond Obamacare – How Medicare Will Swamp the Federal Budget

Blogs
The Liberty Blog: Senator Ron Johnson’s Charts Part 3: Social Security is Going Bankrupt
The Liberty Blog: Jewish Democrats Moment of Truth: Israel Unfriendly Democrat Lois Capps or a Friendly Republican
The Liberty Blog: Senator Ron Johnson’s Charts Part 2: Obama’s Phony Budget Cuts
Lehigh Valley Independent: Republican Politicians Embracing Crank Monetary Economics to Keep the Economy Bad
Lehigh Valley Independent: Bernanke Says Fed Won’t Kill a Recovery
Keystone Progress: Ritchie Tabachnick Chosen As Keystone Progress Secretary