Desperation time for Democrats in 6th District race

The Democratic Party is worried about holding on to its 2006 Congressional gains -- at least in Pennsylvania.

Democrats won four Pennsylvania Congressional seats held by the GOP in 2006 by linking every incumbent Republican Congressman to George W. Bush.

But two years of broken promises, uncontrolled pork spending and inaction on many issues has left Congressional Democrats vulnerable.

Don't be surprised if Republicans take back at least three Pennsylvania Congressional seats in November.

One district that has been a battleground for six years is again in the spotlight.

The Dems have launched attack ads on U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, a moderate Republican who has been able to hold on to Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District since 2002 despite millions of dollars spent by the Democratic Party to oust him.

Gerlach's 2008 opponent is a lightweight named Bob Roggio, who in some polls trails Gerlach badly. So enter the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, aka Smear Central.

The DCCC has been running misleading radio ads attempting to blame high gas prices on President Bush and Republicans in Congress, including Gerlach. The ads refer to the GOP as the "Grand Oil Party."

The reality is that it's the Democrats who control Congress who have prevented new drilling for oil, construction of new refineries and licensing of additional nuclear plants.

The roadblocks Democrats have put up have lead to skyrocketing gasoline prices.

Since they can't defend their non-existent energy policy, the Democrats have decided to go on the attack.

Read "Attack ads get ugly in 6th District race" in The Mercury.