Looks Like Charlie Dent and Jim Gerlach Are Wimping Out

I've already told you why Charlie Dent should go ahead and run for the U.S. Senate. Passing now means giving up for at least 8 years any chance at higher office, and probably having stayed in the House so long that he won't be viewed as viable. He'll never be a major chairman, or leader in the House. Well, apparently, I'm not so convincing, as Dent's not expected to enter, nor is Jim Gerlach.

Basically, here's all they're seeing.

Gerlach and Dent have been in office longer than the rookies elected last year. But after being targeted relentlessly by Democrats in recent years — Gerlach especially — both are finally in seats that are relatively secure. They have plum new committee assignments and can expect their seats to become safer in the coming Republican-controlled redistricting process.

But Republican reluctance to engage Casey also reflects the inherent strength of the senator’s political profile. A moderate, anti-abortion Democrat from working-class Scranton and the son of a popular former governor, Casey is a formidable target. Forty-eight percent of registered voters approved of his job performance and only 22 percent disapproved in a recent Muhlenberg College poll — about as high as an incumbent in swing-state Pennsylvania can realistically enjoy. And he has the added benefit of standing for reelection in a presidential election year, when turnout in the Democratic strongholds of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will be significantly higher than in 2010.

So basically, they can't win, and it would be hard to try. So instead, Eastern Pennsylvania is stuck with a pair of Congressmen who aren't going anywhere, aren't getting much done, and just want us to keep them around in Congress for life.

Wonderful.