This isn't the first diary to mention the Melissa Hart-
Jason Altmire race, and may not be the last. I don't expect this to get a lot of traffic. I just wanted to mention the race because even though the DCCC has been putting forth some effort for Altmire, this race could easily be overshadowed by the marquee PA House races. I think this seat is actually more winnable than some of those races.
In 2000, Hart won a Dem-held seat when the incumbent, Ron Klink, ran against Santorum. She was the first Republican elected there in 20 years. Her area has many Democratic voters, but they do lean on the socially conservative side. She is far to the right on gay rights, on stem cell research, you name it. But Bob Casey should do well in this district, and Altmire has gone from being a total underdog to tying Hart in independent polling.
Why is defeating Hart so important?
Earlier this year, Hart came very close to challenging Deborah Pryce (R-OH No) for a House leadership position. As an arch-conservative female Republican, and one who is not a national embarrassment like Marilyn Musgrave, Hart could be used to put a slightly less wizened, rotting face on the GOP's theofascism.
There's a good chance that Hart could run for the Senate in 2010 if Specter retires. If she keeps her seat until that time, that gives her a big base of voters to draw from. Now I'm not saying that this will happen, or that she is some huge GOP wunderkind, but I think it's a strong possibility. They don't exactly have a strong bench in PA, do they?
One of the big wins the Democrats have had this year is that they have bloodied or crippled many of the party's "rising stars" - Allen. Pawlenty. Santorum. Mark Kennedy. It's time to add Hart to that list.
Anyway, Altmire is conservative as well, but he is a strong candidate and he is better by far than Hart. Your money will go a long way in that district, which is not the case for many other contested districts. And keep in mind that many of the districts Democrats may win this year are probably going to be 1-term wonders, changing hands in 2008. PA-4 isn't likely to follow that route if a strong Democrat wins this year.
Let's make this year a Hart-breaker (groan) for Melissa Hart.
So keep Jason Altmire competitive and help win a crucial seat in the House, one that may tip control of the chamber to our hands.