Two Pa. Democrats facing tough re-election tests defect from party on bailout vote

Two Democratic Pennsylvania congressmen involved in tight re-election campaigns bucked their party and voted against a $700 billion Wall St. bailout proposal in a vote that evenly split the rest of the state's delegation.

U.S. Reps. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless) and Chris Carney (D-Dimok), along with U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (D-St. Clair), opposed the bailout plan, which was defeated on the House floor 228 to 205. Altmire and Carney each face difficult re-election tests this fall against opponents bent on portraying them as "Nancy Pelosi" liberals. 

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was a strong proponent of the bill. 

Altmire faces former congresswoman Melissa Hart in the 4th Congressional District -- Carney faces Republican challenger Chris Hackett in the 10th Congressional District.

Holden opposition was more surprising -- his contest against Republican challenger Toni Gilhooley is considered much less competitive.

Only one GOP member of the state delegation voted for the bailout -- U.S. Rep. John Peterson (R-Pleasantville), who is retiring from Congress this year.