Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

President Donald Trump touches down in western Pennsyvlania a little bit later today, there to visit a heavy manufacturing facility and to do a little campaigning in advance of a key special Congressional election.

In theory, Trump's visit to the 18th Congressional District, which Republicans have held since 2003 and which Trump won by 20 points in 2016, should be a no-brainer.

He'll get some key camera time and bask in the reflected glow of his base.

But according to "Meet the Press Daily" host Chuck Todd, Trump's sojourn on behalf of 18th District GOP hopeful Rick Saccone is "a crazy risk, where there's nothing to gain and everything to lose, and which could expose a fatal weakness."

In fact, borrowing from Tom Cruise in "A Few Good Men," Trump's decision to campaign on behalf of Saccone, who faces central casting Democrat Conor Lamb in a race Republicans might actually lose is a "galactically stupid move," Todd suggested.

Hang with us on this one:

The 18th District, as Todd correctly notes, is overwhelmingly white, blue-collar, only a third of its residents hold a college degree, and, until last fall the seat was held by veteran GOP U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy.

You'll recall that Murphy, an anti-abortion crusader, was forced to resign amid reports that he'd urged a former mistress to have an abortion.

The seat, in short, is Trump Country. So there's no real reason for Trump to stake his personal credibility and political capital on a race that should be walk-off for Republicans.

Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018

If, on the other hand, it's a Democratic wave year, and Lamb beats Saccone (which, again, might actually happen), then there's only one person who's gonna take the blame for that one.

And it isn't going to be Saccone.

A Saccone defeat reveals Trump as "a dead weight on his party, even if they lose in the base," Todd opined. "And that's the truth. The question is, can President Trump handle it?"

Here's the clip:

The rest of the day's news starts now.

Speaking of the 18th District, Democrat Connor Lamb has launched his first television ads of the campaign, The Post-Gazette reports.

Lawyers for disgraced former Attorney General Kathleen Kane are sticking with their bid to keep her from serving actual time in jail for a perjury conviction, The Associated Press reports (via PennLive).

Former Gov. Tom Corbett's fingerprints are all over that birth certificate change that has Daryl Metcalfe so foamy at the mouth, our colleague Jan Murphy reports.

And in case you missed it, here's our editorial excoriating Metcalfe for his hateful crusade.

Mega-builder Toll Bros., a fixture in Pa. for years, is expanding to the western U.S., The Inquirer reports.

Gov. Tom Wolf will pursue a controversial expansion of overtime rules for salaried employees and others, The Tribune-Review reports.

Here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

Long-serving state Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks, will not run for re-election, The Morning Call reports.

Pa.'s first medical marijuana dispensary has opened in Bethlehem, Pa., The Inquirer reports.

The union representing The Post-Gazette's newsroom employees has filed an unfair labor complaint, the first in decades, against the newspaper's ownership, The Incline reports.

Philly radio host Michele Lawrence has jumped into the ranks of primary challengers for U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, PoliticsPA reports.

Stateline.org explains how federal tax changes may prompt state overhauls as well.

What Goes On.

Speaking of tax changes, the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy holds a 9 a.m meeting to discuss Pennsylvania's "tax structure, climate and competitiveness and Impact on federal tax law changes." You'll find them in 140 Main Capitol.

WolfWatch

Gov. Tom Wolf has no public schedule today.

You Say It's Your Birthday Dept.

Mega-best wishes go out this morning to longtime Friend O'The Blog, Victor Wills, of Harrisburg, who celebrates today. Congratulations, sir, and enjoy your big day.

Heavy Rotation.

Here's our favorite cover of one of our fave

Rihanna

tunes. Play this one loud, you won't regret it.

And now you're up to date.