My 2 cents:
Maybe force national politics to be posted in the national political forum, not in the 'local' Pittsburgh Sandbox. Sure congress, the prez etc all affect the good folks of Pittsburgh, but not JUST Pittsburgh. Limit the sandbox to local political discussions like our beloved mayor heh along with humorous threads etc.
And, posting in the national forum would boost the ego of the Pittsburgh5 by getting more responses and ruffling more feathers. It would also make the local mod's jobs easier so they don't have to sift through pages and pages of drivel trying to keep posts on topic and make sure that everyone behaves.
"Moved to correct forum" would be much easier. I'm guessing there are more moderators moderating the national forum.