Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. Lots of congressional news this morning, plus Sen. Ayotte’s swing through is the closest thing Pa. has to a presidential candidate this week.

DCCC Promotes Badey to Red to Blue: Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) named George Badey of PA-07 to its Red to Blue list. Badey, an attorney, is attempting to close the gap between himself and incumbent Rep. Pat Meehan.

Casey Applauds Obama China Move: President Obama enacted a trade complaint against China today, much to the approval of Rust Belt Democrats like Senator Bob Casey. He has been critical of Obama regarding Chinese trade issues.

Boockvar, Fitzpatrick Can’t Agree Where to Disagree: Insults and criticism has flown back-and-forth in recent days as 8th district candidates Kathy Boockvar and Mike Fitzpatrick have agreed to different debate invitations.

Sen. Ayotte on PA Swing for Romney: New Hampshire Senator and woman Kelly Ayotte will be in Pennsylvania for two campaign events on Tuesday. She’s leading a “Women for Romney” effort for the Republican presidential hopeful.

NRCC Hits Critz on Obamacare. Again. (Watch Video): The committee charged with electing Republicans to Congress is once again going after Rep. Mark Critz. Its latest ad paints the incumbent Democrat as a flip-flopper on the health care law.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-134: Newly minted State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) wants you to know about the residency of his opponent, John Reynard. Reynard evidently filed for a homestead tax exemption on a home (outside of the district) that is not his primary residence. That’s against the terms of the exemption.

HD-189: Rep. Rosemary Brown’s (R-Monroe) Dem challenger is accusing the freshman Republican of dodging debates:

In a letter dated Sept. 3, Forrest formally challenged Brown to three debates to take place throughout the 189th District. Brown replied in a letter on Sept. 10, saying she believes a seven-candidate forum to be hosted by the League of Women Voters on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m., and broadcast only on Blue Ridge Cable Channel 13 is sufficient.

But Forrest said the forum is not the same as a debate, is being held at an inconvenient time and place for attendance by most voters in the 189th district, and voters who do not subscribe to Blue Ridge Cable won’t be able to watch it on TV.

National
Washington Post: Pa. Voter ID law sends non-drivers on a bureaucratic journey. And here is the author on MSNBC.
Slate: Romney Says He Won’t “Worry” About Voters Who Don’t Pay Income Tax
Wall Street Journal: Campaigns Exchange Barbs on China Trade
The Caucus: Leaked Romney Video Shows Blunt Talk on ‘Dependents’
New York Times: Looking, Very Closely, for Voter Fraud
Politico: Santorum: U.S. turns back on allies

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Links: Open records law tweaks, voter ID, & clemency hearing today
PA Independent: PSERS investments miss mark; unfunded liability will grow
Capitolwire: GOP looking to capitalize on western Pennsylvania voting trends.
Capitolwire: If Romney loses presidency in close race while losing PA, Rob Gleason, Priebus, may be goats.
Capitolwire: Counting and constitutionality key issues in Supreme Court’s upcoming redistricting decision.
Capitolwire: Corbett administration says federal welfare waiver similar to Rendell policies that redefined ‘work’

Philadelphia
AP: Pa. preps defend military bases from budget cuts
Inquirer: Struggles faced by small Pa. towns
Daily News: John Baer: Voter-ID foofaraw for naught?
PhillyClout: What’s Next for Occupy?
PhillyNow: Philly Protesters Heckle VP Candidate Paul Ryan at Values Voter Summit
WHYYY: Pennsylvania voter suppression: A day in court

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Voter ID forum planned in Chesco
Montgomery Media: Pennsylvania Supreme Court considers stay on Voter ID law

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Obama’s record dampens voters’ enthusiasm in Iowa
Post Gazette: More on Rothfus/China from Critz

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Lack of presidential ads signals Pa. less of a swinger
Citizens Voice: Senate push seen for Open Records legislation
Standard Speaker: Developer: City wind turbine facility on track

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Report: PCN to air 4th Congressional District debate
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Candidates in 4th Congressional race to debate Thursday
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Middletown Borough Council plans to vote on library ordinance tonight
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Harrisburg debt-recovery plan: Some community leaders say taxpayers are being ignored
York Dispatch: Report: Gov. Corbett helps local company celebrate anniversary
Lebanon Daily News: Report: 6th Congressional District candidate Manan Trivedi earns MoveOn.org endorsement
Lebanon Daily News: Report: Candidates for 15th Congressional District to debate
Lebanon Daily News: Report: GOP candidate Tom Smith visits South Lebanon home
Lebanon Daily News: Report: Congressman Jim Gerlach visits Heidelberg Township

Opinion
Inquirer: Court won’t get final word
Daily News: DN Editorial: Messing with Medicaid is messing with the middle class
Philly.com: What citizenship means for the 21st century
The Hill: Judd Gregg Op-Ed: Bill Clinton’s call for bipartisan cooperation worth heeding
Inquirer: Make Postal Service a priority
PA Independent: Commentary: PA’s pension crisis requires Corbett to take the reins
USA Today: Ross K. Baker Column: Will ‘It’s the economy, stupid’ bite Democrats back?
The Times-Tribune: Garages vital to downtown

Blogs
Keystone State Education Coalition: On “double dip” for pension costs in charter reimbursements
Lehigh Valley Independent: Of Course We’re better off Than we were in 2009
Lehigh Valley Independent: Citizinvestor, Public Goods and Distribution Politics
Lehigh Valley Independent: 65-Year Study: Tax Cuts Don’t Lead to Economic Growth
Lehigh Valley Independent: Centrism: Bad Politics, Bad Policy
PA Lu-Lac Political Letter: The LuLac Edition #2199, September 17th, 2012
Keystone Progress: GOP Attorney General Candidate Freed Campaign To Hold Unauthorized Tailgate Party at Beaver Stadium
Keystone Progress: Obama Praised by Alliance for American Manufacturing for Chinese Auto parts Trade Enforcement
Citizens’ Call: Local Democrats Open New Campaign Office in Glenside
Citizens’ Call: Now It Should Take Only One Trip to PennDOT for a Voter ID for PA-Born Voters