Tues: Voter ID suit; Manchin cruising

Karen Langley has the story on a state suit seeking to overturn Pa's voter ID law:

While voters were asked for photo identification at the primary elections last week, they were allowed to vote without it. Starting in November, they will have to show a photo ID issued by the state or federal government or a Pennsylvania college, nursing home or county or municipal employer.

The suit will ask for an injunction against the law while the case is being decided as well as a final ruling that the law is unconstitutional, said Jennifer Clarke, executive director of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, one of the groups organizing the lawsuit.

David Gersch, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said the state cannot justify the new ID requirements without demonstrating that voter fraud is taking place.

"In order to take away somebody's right to vote, there needs to be a real problem they're addressing," he said. "The state hasn't shown that there's a problem with people showing up at the polling place and saying they're somebody who they're not."

At Politico, Charlie Mahtesian translates John Brabender's comments yesterday to Robert Costa at National Review. First up is endorsement talk:

What he meant: We think we’ve been clear that there isn’t going to be an endorsement yet. That will come in time, but we won’t be rushed. First, Rick wants to get acquainted with the governor and size him up outside the glare of the spotlight. Let’s face it: Nearly everyone who ran against Mitt in 2008 or this year loathes him. We’re no different. But we’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. We’re pros, we get that primaries can be bruising affairs. Still, we’d like to hear a little more about the thinking behind that Pennsylvania ad they cut near the end. A ‘historically embarrassing’ loss in 2006? ‘Lost his home county by 30 points’? That was below the belt.

In West Virginia, a R.L. Repass poll has Romney up 17 points on Obama (54-37%); Dem US Sen Joe Manchin crushing GOP foe John Raese (74-22%); and incumbent Dem. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin beating GOP foe Bill Maloney (60-32%). The state's primary is May 8 but there are few contested races. (Daily Mail)