Bitter. That was the word of the weekend. The press, pundits and talking heads are running away with this story, trying to turn it into a full-blown scandal and as expected, the Clinton campaign is pushing Obama’s quote to just about anyone who will listen. This doesn’t surprise me - at this point, they need to find any opening to try and knock down Obama, especially as he picks up a little headwind in Pennsylvania. In fact, Obama’s comments have now taken on a life of their own. He’s being accused of being a snob, out of touch and elitist, even though he said something that Bill Clinton has echoed many times in the recent past.

In fact, many Democrats have made the argument that voters have been acting against their economic interest by simply voting on wedge issues like guns, gays and god and ignoring what policy makers are actually saying about the issues that touch them most - the economy, health care, war and peace, etc. It’s also pretty clear that some Americans are bitter at the way the government have been treating them over the past couple decades. If I didn’t have adequate health care for my family and I had a sick kid, or needed care myself, I too might be a little bitter.

Rest assured for all you worrier’s out there - this story will go away in the next couple days. There is a debate at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, and assuming that this issue is still swirling, Obama should be able to pacify the situation by giving a more artful explanation of what he meant in his comments and to clarify the pieces of the statement that have seemed to take on a life of their own.

The Obama campaign has wisely decided to put up Bob Casey on television to defend Obama. Here’s the ad.

This morning, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) debated Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) on NBC’s Meet The Press moderated by Tim Russert.

I thought Brown did a great job taking on DeWine. He kept him on the defensive and painted him as ineffective. He also hammered the Senator on his negative campaign and there were times when DeWine couldn’t defend his own record. DeWine spent much of the debate ducking Russert’s questions.

Here is the transcript.

Below, you’ll also find transcripts to the other Meet The Press debates from the past couple weeks.

OHIO: Sherrod Brown v. Mike DeWine

VIRGINIA: Jim Webb v. George Allen

PENNSYLVANIA: Bob Casey v. Rick Santorum

It looks like Pennsylvania’s great Governor, Ed Rendell (D-PA) will soar to victory against ex- Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann (R).

In a new Rasmussen Reports poll, Rendell leads Swann by 20%.

We all know that Democratic Senate nominee Bob Casey is trying to ride the Governor’s long coattails into office and is therefore running the worst campaign in the history of Pennsylvania. This 20% spread is encouraging, not only for Rendell, but also for Casey.

If you haven’t seen Radical Rick Santorum’s new ad about Casey’s “jail inmate” campaign supporters, than you must. Please watch it below:

Ok, so this turns out to not be true. This quote come from WJAL, courtesy of Wonkette:

LANCASTER, Pa. — One of the latest campaign ads in Pennsylvania’s Senate race is getting a lot of attention. Some say it goes to far, but how true is it?

News 8 On Your Side government reporter Ben Simmoneau took a look as part of News 8’s AdWatch series.

Read the fact check here.

Touche Santorum, touche.

Finally, something good from the Casey campaign.

Check out his latest ad. I have no idea how large the media buy is; I’m in Philly now and I haven’t seen the ad on TV. In fact, I don’t think Casey has been on air in the Philly market since he announced his candidacy.

Dear Mr. Casey-

Matt

Check out Santorum’s new ad against Casey below. It’s clever and I fear that Casey isn’t going to fire back with any real chutzpah.

BOB CASEY VS. RADICAL RICK SANTORUM

Sunday September 3, 2006

Find out what time Meet The Press airs in your neck of the woods.

Go BOB!

Below are the dates for numerous Senate debates on NBC’s Meet the Press. Tune in, y’all!

via First Read:

September 3:
Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R) and Bob Casey (D)

September 13:
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) vs. Jim Webb (D)

October 1:
Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine (R) vs. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D)

October 8:
Missouri Sen. Jim Talent (R) vs. Claire McCaskill (D)

October 15:
Minnesota candidates Amy Klobuchar (D) and Mark Kennedy (R)

October 29:
Maryland Senate nominees (still TBD)