http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06237/716288-177.stmIn the face of an apparently tightening race, the air war of the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate campaign turned tougher over the past 24 hours as both sides began TV ads assailing their opponent's record.
U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was first to go on the broadcast offensive with a commercial poking fun at state Treasurer Bob Casey's work record and political history. Mr. Casey quickly responded with a commercial defending his record while criticizing the incumbent on Social Security, the minimum wage and his allegiance to President Bush.
The developments come after months in which the better-funded Mr. Santorum dominated the TV landscape in the state while Mr. Casey held the dominant position in public polling.
As of the last campaign expense reporting period, on June 30, the Republican had $9.4 million in cash on hand, while Mr. Casey reported $5.2 million.
Mr. Santorum's ad barrage preceded a narrowing of the polling advantage Mr. Casey has consistently held over the incumbent. A survey released by Franklin & Marshall College yesterday puts Mr. Casey's advantage at 5 percentage points. It is consistent with other public surveys that also show him in front, but by notably smaller margins than the double-digit edge he had earlier.
{i]I saw the Santorum Ad tonight and it is juvenile and nasty. BTW, anyone know the male announcer they use for these ads? Sounds like the same voice all the time to me. Makes me want to :puke: