Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. The Supreme Court punts on Voter ID, giving opponents a bit more time to hope. Obama maintains his Pa. lead, and more ads hit the airwaves this week.

Pa. Supreme Court Calls for Voter ID Do-Over: The Pa. Supreme Court neither upheld nor threw out the state’s new Voter ID requirement. Instead, in a win for the law’s opponents, the 6 justices instructed a lower court to redo an earlier ruling that kept the law in place.

Gerlach Goes After Trivedi in First Ad (Watch Video): Rep. Jim Gerlach Tuesday launched his first ad of the 2012 cycle, and he didn’t pull any punches at the start of his second round against Democrat Manan Trivedi.

MCall Poll: Obama 50, Romney 41: Obama leads Romney and Casey leads Smith according to latest Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll.

Smith Rebuts Casey in New Ad (Watch Video): Republican Senate hopeful Tom Smith starts out on defense in his latest TV ad. He rebuts a commercial from his opponent, Sen. Bob Casey, that hit the airwaves last week.

Ayotte Boosts Romney, Dismisses Fundraiser Video: New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte has embraced with gusto her duties as a Romney surrogate. Today in Pa., she talked economics, foreign policy, and the recently released video from a private Romney fundraiser.

AFSCME Ad: Rothfus a “Regular Phony” (Watch Video): The onslaught of outside groups continued Tuesday morning in the 12th congressional district. The political arm of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is on TV with $325K to rebut Republican Keith Rothfus’s ‘regular guy’ ad.

Mike Kelly: You’re Number 21!: Freshman Rep, Mike Kelly (R-Butler) is the 21st richest member of Congress, according to financial disclosure forms compiled by Roll Call. He’s the only member of Congress from Pa. to make the list.

Unions Launch New Tech-Based Grassroots Push: Workers United and the AFL-CIO launched an innovative new grassroots initiative Tuesday that turns campaign grunt work – like phonebanking – into currency for other political activities.

Gene Stilp on Comedy Central: The PA-11 congressional candidate made the Daily Show’s politics blog. “With his media savvy, Stilp is like a mix of Karl Rove and Carrot Top”.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-37: Rep. Matt Smith, the Dem running to replace Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny), picked up two GOP endorsements Tuesday. Both from his state House district and both constitute the “Republicans for Smith” commitee: Bethel Park Mayor Clifford Morton and and former Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Carolyn Byham. “I’m proud to support his campaign, and I look forward to working with my fellow Republicans to make him our next State Senator,” said Byham

SD-47: Dem Kim Villella is accusing Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) of taking undue credit for the County’s forthcoming Shell cracker plant. “In his four years in the State Senate, Senator Vogel has only “authored and passed” four pieces of legislation – and none of his legislation addressed the Shell facility or directly dealt with job creation,” the release reads.

HD-131: Kevin Deely, the Dem seeking to unseat freshman Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh), held a block party in Allentown Sunday that drew close to 100 people, his campaign said. “It’s great to see a candidate reaching out to the community and who is willing to listen and talk to us about the issues,” Andrea Kellam, a resident of 28th Street SW said at the event.

HD-134: Dem John Reynard responded to yesterday’s allegation by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) that he improperly took a homestead tax exemption. “The facts are that while Reynard did not notify the assessor’s office in Northampton County of his change of address in 2010, he did file the proper paperwork with the post office, the Commonwealth and with the tax collection company,” his campaign wrote. He said he moved initially to take care of an elderly relative, but decided to stay in Emmaus.

National
New York Times: On a Challenging Day, Romney Seeks to Shift to His Policy Specifics
The Caucus: The Caucus Click: Obama and Letterman
The Caucus: Mother Jones Releases Complete Video of Romney at Private Fundraiser
FiveThirtyEight: Electoral College May Not Help Obama
FiveThirtyEight: Forecast: G.O.P. Senate Hopes Slipping
ProPublica: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Voter ID Laws
Slate: “I’m Dreaming of a White President”: Randy Newman Talks to Slate About His New Song
Slate: Voter ID Loses a Battle in Pennsylvania
The Hill: Dems push affidavits instead of voter IDs
The Hill: Gallup poll: Obama’s convention bump gone, lead down to 1 point

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: PA Supreme Court orders new hearing on #VoterID law.
Capitol Ideas: #VoterID Dissents filed by Justices Seamus McCaffery and Deborah Todd.
State House Sound Bites: PA Supreme Court sends voter ID case back to lower court
State House Sound Bites: Reporter’s Notebook: Court watch
PA Independent: PA’s number of non-taxpayers less than national average
PA Independent: Farmers markets escape potential for overregulation
PA Independent: Supreme Court sends Voter ID decision back to lower court for second review
StateImpact PA: Federal Money Will Build A CNG Fueling Station In Butler County
Capitolwire: Supreme Court tells judge to ensure Voter ID available, report by Oct. 2.

Philadelphia
Its Our Money: Prison population soaring on stiffer punishment, straining city budget
Philly.com: Follow if you’re not a wuss
Philly.com: Supreme Court wants more lower court study on Voter ID
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court orders more review on voter ID law
Philly.com: Big-monied donor slams Corbett for lack of leadership
Inquirer: Annette John-Hall: Military vets to be among growing group disenfranchised by Voter ID bill.
Daily News: Advocacy groups pushing colleges to issue IDs so students can vote
Daily News: Writer offers his reasons why voter IDs are essential
Heard in the Hall: Nutter joins chorus attacking Romney’s ’47 percent’ remarks
PhillyClout: Supreme Court wants more lower court study on Voter ID
PhillyClout: Tuesday’s DN: Conservative writer tries to justify Voter ID law
PhillyNow: Mayor Nutter Slams Romney Over ‘47 Percent’ Comments, Says He’s “Not Ready For Prime Time”
Philly Tribune: High court wants review of voter ID access
Philly Tribune: Obama’s lead increases in Pa. poll
Fox Philadelphia: Pa. Supreme Court Sends Voter ID Case Back To Lower Court
ABC Philadelphia: Pa. Supreme Court sends voter ID law back to lower court for review
ABC Philadelphia: League of Women Voters: Volunteer and Acquiring Voter ID information

SEPA
Morning Call: In Bucks 8, a battle for independence
AP: Pa. high court wants review of voter ID access
Philly Burbs: Voter ID law sent back to lower court
Delco Daily Times: Chester, Keystone at odds over $1 million payments
Delco Daily Times: Springfield commissioners OK pension payment
Delco Daily Times: 7th Congressional seat race draws national attention
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners to launch municipal economic development initiative ‘to change the mindset’
Bucks Local News: Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick proposes legislation to benefit ‘Children of Fallen Heroes’
Bucks Local News: Region’s first Compressed Natural Gas public access fueling station opens on Tyburn Road in Bucks County
Daily Local: Coatesville to reconsider trust fund withdrawal
Daily Local: Vets get help with ID’s in new program

Pittsburgh
Post Gazette: Obama economic adviser explains position on China at CMU
Post Gazette: Pennsylvania Supreme Court sends voter ID back to lower court
Tribune Review: Romney must increase likability to win, pollster says

Southwest
Indian Gazette: Cornerstones of Democracy

NEPA
The Times Leader: Pa. is fighting for military bases
The Times-Tribune: Labor limbo: Teamsters file grievances over SPA furloughs
The Times-Tribune: State commission to advocate for military bases
Citizens Voice: Elections board rescinds motion on Harveys Lake referendum

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Report: Voter ID law in limbo after Pa. Supreme Court sends case back to lower court

Opinion
New York Times: Editorial: Mitt Romney, Class Warrior
Post-Gazette: Absent Congress: With much to be done, members campaign instead
Tribune Review: Two big issues – Libya and GM – show administration missteps
Tribune Review: Liberal mainstream media exaggerates Romney video
The Times-Tribune: Waste poses cure for costs

Blogs
PA Swamp Fox: Republicans seek to primary Corbett in 2014
The Liberty Blog: UPS Slow Rolling to Taxpayer Bailout of Government Sponsored Unionized Monopoly
Speaking Freely: VOTER ID: PA Supreme Court Vacates decision, sends case back to lower court
Keystone State Education Coalition: Tell me that part again about how state authorization of charters will improve accountability……….
Lehigh Valley Independent: Feed Purge
Lehigh Valley Independent: The Trouble With Martin Tower
Lehigh Valley Independent: PA-15 Congressman Dainty
Pennsylvania Progressive: PA Supreme Court: Delay Voter ID
Pennsylvania Progressive: Freed to Violate Penn State Rules at Fundraiser
Keystone Politics: Unleash Philly’s Food Truck Job Creators!
Keystone Politics: Was This the First Appearance of Gubernatorial Candidate Rendell?
Keystone Politics: The Crucial Point About Today’s #VoterID Ruling
Keystone Politics: Obama Widening Lead in PA
Keystone Politics: Philly NIMBYs Jockey for Influence
John Hanger: 9 Billion Gallons Of Sewer Overflows in Pittsburgh Region & $2.8 Billion Clean Up Bill Dwarfs Statewide Gas Drilling Impacts