With former Governor Tom Ridge's announcement that he will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the U. S. Senate in Pennsylvania next year, the Keystone State's playing field has shifted again.

About which, some thoughts:

First, props, please, to Pat Toomey's nascent Senate campaign.

Beginning earlier this week, opposition research began to show up in various conservative media outlets, all of which was aimed at making Ridge and his allies understand that a race against Toomey for the GOP nomination wouldn't be the cakewalk some recruiters and/or supporters were no doubt telling him it would be.

Earlier today, New Jersey's gubernatorial campaigns revealed how much money they've got left to spend in the 28 days remaining before the June 2nd primary.

Front-running Republican Chris Christie reported a whopping $3 million cash on hand.

His main conservative challenger, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, reported having about $500,000 left for the stretch run.

That's likely to be the only good news of the day for Christie, and even that will be trumped by a larger story -- complete with made-for-TV visuals -- offered up by Lonegan's campaign, about which, more below.

"The federal government is too big, takes too much of our money, and makes too many of our decisions. If Republicans can't agree on that, elections are the least of our problems."

So says South Carolina's junior senator, Jim DeMint, in this Saturday op-ed for the Wall Street Journal.

In the wake of last week's defection by Sen. Arlen Specter and the passing of Jack Kemp, DeMint's piece is a good way for conservatives to start the week.

I'm just wondering:

Did these guys talk to these guys?

Dueling press conferences, on back-to-back days? Really?