Santorum ads chip at opponent's popularity

LANCASTER, Pa., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Heavy ad spending by U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., has driven up Democratic challenger Bob Casey Jr.'s negative ratings with Pennsylvania voters.

However, a Keystone Poll released this week found that Santorum's ads have done little to increase his own popularity -- with less than 40 percent of voters regarding him favorably. Casey maintains a slim lead in the race.

The Democrats have hopes of ousting Santorum, one of the most conservative Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Casey, the son of a popular former governor, shares some of Santorum's views on abortion and gun control.

While Santorum has been trying to separate himself from President George W. Bush, the poll found that 78 percent of those who think the president is doing an excellent or good job said they would vote for Santorum. Sixty percent of those who think Bush's performance is fair or poor said they would vote for Casey.

Gov. Ed Rendell leads Republican challenger Lynn Swann by 53 percent to 34 percent. Swann, a former Pittsburgh Steelers star, is the first black candidate to be a major party nominee for governor of Pennsylvania.

The Keystone Poll is published by Franklin and Marshall College.