Jigsaw Politics

But the text of the press release doesn't really waste a lot of time waxing effusive over those reach-across-the-aisle Democrats.

Rather, they make a cameo appearance in what quickly turns into a blast at the two candidates who are likely to compete for next year's Democratic Senate nomination: five-term incumbent Arlen Specter, the moderate Republican who became a Democrat in April, in part to avoid a Senate primary rematch of the 2004 race in which he came within a whisker of losing to Toomey; and two-term Rep. Joe Sestak , who thinks Specter is still too much of a Republican to rate the Democratic nomination.

The release says Toomey "commended" Democratic party-line breakers "for joining the bipartisan opposition to the cap-and-trade bill that promises to raise taxes and destroy American jobs."

"These Pennsylvania Democrats had the courage to stand up to one-party rule in Washington," Mr. Toomey said. "They understand that protecting the environment is an important goal, but they are not willing to sacrifice American prosperity and hardworking taxpayers in the process."

But...here it comes... wait for it... "It is a shame Rep. Joe Sestak (PA-07) couldn't muster up the same courage. Instead, he voted to support Nancy Pelosi's extreme agenda." That latter reference seeks to tie Sestak to House Speaker Pelosi, the California liberal who also makes a cameo in nearly every Republican attack on any Democratic congressional incumbent.

And then, "The question is, will Senator Specter choose the same path?"

The release continues, "Only a couple of weeks ago, Senator Specter argued in support of maintaining balance in Washington in order to protect the country from extremism." [ O.K. it was actually almost three months ago, before his party switch, but time flies.]

"But now that he has joined the Democratic Party, he seems intent on marching in lockstep with his new party in order to avoid a Democratic primary, even if it means throwing hardworking Americans under the bus. Senator Specter has the chance to prove he is serious about bringing balance to Washington--will he have the courage to do it?"

We know that Specter will hear about it loud and long right through the 2010 campaign if he does vote with the Democrats on a Senate version of the energy bill. But I'm willing to bet that, unlike the four lauded House Democrats, Specter wouldn't get a shout-out from the Toomey camp if he ultimately DOES break with his new party and vote against the measure.

While using dissenters in the other party as foils is a time-tested tactic, you have to wonder whether his "compliment" thrilled Republican campaign strategists who are laying their plans to unseat Jason Altmire in the 3rd District, Christopher Carney in the 10th, Tim Holden in the 17th, and Kathy Dahlkemper in the 3rd.

If these Democrats don't use quote Toomey's line about their having "the courage to stand up to one-party rule in Washington" -- especially in campaign media directly targeted to Republican voters in their generally GOP-leaning districts -- they are too dumb to deserve a seat in Congress anyway.