This Race was Considered One of the Safest for Dems

The Pennsylvania Senate race (Bob Casey-D v. Tom Smith-R) was considered a rubber stamper for the Dems.  In fact, the democrats internal poll still implies that this is a safe one for them:

Bob Casey has nothing to worry about, according to an internal poll released Friday by his campaign. The freshman Democratic Senator leads GOP opponent Tom Smith by 13 points, 52 percent to 39 percent.

Of course, that single poll could be wrong. 

Casey leads Smith, 48 percent to 45 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this week. Casey had an 18-point lead in that poll on Aug. 1.

And Casey leads Smith, 41 percent to 39 percent, in a Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll released this week.

“This race is too close to call,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Uh oh...nothing's settled, yet.  Additionally, the enthusiasm gap is going to play a part in this Senate race.  Also, we still have a couple of weeks to play with, and I'm expecting Romney to jump back into the state to whip up support, and it will be interesting to see if he has coattails. 

I'm not the only one that thinks this "safe" race for the democrats is up for grabs.  Check out Fast Eddie:

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. had been taking more and more heat about his lackluster campaign for a second term against former coal company owner Tom Smith of Armstrong County.  Former Gov. Ed Rendell piled on Thursday.

In an interview with the Scranton Times Tribune, Rendell said Casey is running a "non-campaign" focused on a "stupid" ad that links Smith to a Tea Party group he started.  Rendell did predict that Casey would prevail in the race.

If Fast Eddie Rendell is worried, so should Casey.  I never liked Rendell, but he knew how to win a race.  And, I agree with his assessment of Casey's TV spots.  He ambition has been to make Tom Smith less popular by associating with the Tea Party.  I think Smith gains voters every time it runs (which is a lot).

It ain't over.