Pat Toomey has an op-ed in today's Post-Gazette warning how Obama's call for tax increases on those making $250K+ will hurt Pennsylvania manufacturing.

Karen Langley on Arlen Specter's funeral in Philadelphia.

Jim O'Toole has a Pa poll roundup.

Len Barcousky writes on the first proposed Allegheny County budget from new exec Rich Fitzgerald, which has a 2% spending increase but no outright tax increases -- property reassessments finally hit next year, but county residents won't know how to calculate their bills until a new millage is set in coming weeks. Political side note: he's cutting rival Democrat Chelsa Wagner's controller's office budget by 10%, noting that she doesn't need to perform weights & measures services anymore.

Laura Olson is in town to hear the state Supreme Court hear a challenge to the state's Marcellus Shale drilling law at their courtroom on Grant Street. (Speaking of, that's of course a Rob Rogers cartoon above.)

Thanks to everybody who participated in the live debate chat last night. It's repeating today for those who want to relive the glory.

Here's a debate Storify from Mila Sanina, and a fact-check from the AP. Tracie Mauriello wrote up the tension-filled contest.

Here's exactly what Obama said on "terror" the day after the Libyan attack, disputed by Romney last night.

Full debate transcript from ABC News.

The Atlantic writes on Romney's "binders full of women" comment in response to question on equal pay. Here's a Tumblr on it:

Can the townhall forum between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney possibly live up to Saturday's ManHunt underwear party?

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, the Pa Democratic Party and the Steel City Stonewall Democrats are having a debate watch party tonight at the Cruze Bar, a gay bar in the Strip District. (Here's the PG story on Ravenstahl signing pledge of support for gay marriage in June.)

Mayoral rival Bill Peduto is holding his own party in East Liberty. From his soon-to-be campaign:

Bill Peduto and Ed Gainey Host Presidential Debate Watch Party Tonight

WHAT: Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto and Democratic Nominee for State Representative Ed Gainey are hosting debate watch party for the second of three presidential debates tonight.

WHERE: AVA Lounge, 126 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15206 (East Liberty)

WHEN: Tuesday, October 16, 8:30 - 11:00pm

This event is open to the public and the media is welcome to attend.

If you can't make them, please join us instead at the live chat we're firing up around 8:30. Underwear optional!

We always like Quinnipiac polls because they're from outside the state -- and better yet usually right. Or close enough. That means good things for Democrats this time around, even if the Bob Casey forces are probably sweating it right now.

Quinnipiac is nice enough to list their old Pennsylvania polls on their site, so here's how their October polls in past Pa elections matched up with the final results a couple weeks later. You'll see they picked the eventual winner every time, though the final numbers were off a bit (though not in the state's last US Senate race, which they had as a 2-point win for Pat Toomey).

Q Poll Oct. 21, 2010, on US Senate race: Pat Toomey 48, Joe Sestak 46. (Final: Toomey, 51-49.)

Q Poll Oct. 22, 2010, on gubernatorial race: Tom Corbett 49, Dan Onorato 44. (Final: Corbett, 54-46)

Q swing state poll Oct. 23, 2008 (Google cache): Barack Obama 53, John McCain 40. (Final: Obama, 55-44)

Q Poll of April 21, 2008, on Democratic primary: Hillary Clinton 51, Barack Obama 44. (Final: Clinton, 55-45)