Charles Dent

Shortly after PolitickerPa.com reported Democrat Sam Bennett's debate challenge to U.S. Rep. Charles Dent (R-Allentown), the Dent campaign issued a response.

While saying that Dent "looks forward" to debating Bennet on energy and how her 'drill nothing' approach will increase the price at the pump that Americans will have to pay," the campaign also said her timing showed that she "doesn't get it."

Challenging your political opponent to debates is all the rage these days.  First U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) did it, calling on his presidential opponent, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), to join him in town-hall style debates. Picking up the cue, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta has been challenging U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke City) to a series of debates

Now it's Democrat Sam Bennett's term. Struggling to gain traction in her race against U.S. Rep. Charles Dent (R-Allentown) in the 15th Congressional District, Bennett on Wednesday asked Dent to join her in a debate about gas prices.

"For four years Charlie Dent has voted with George Bush on energy policies that have rewarded their Big Oil friends and done nothing to lower gas prices. We need an advocate in Congress who will enact policies that will hold Big Oil accountable, invest in renewable fuels, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," Bennett said in a statement. "If Charlie Dent is serious about reducing gas prices, he'll meet me to discuss the issue in August."

Dent campaign manager Shawn Millan could not immediately be reached for comment.

Congressional candidate Sam Bennett accused her opponent, U.S. Rep. Charles Dent (R-Allentown), of voting the party line over his constituents' own interest by opposing a contentious housing bill that is expected to pass in Washington shortly.

The legislation for massive government assistance in the struggling housing market has been opposed by many Republicans, and President Bush had threatened a veto until dropping that threat recently, virtually assuring its passage.

In a statement Thursday, Bennett criticized Dent's opposition to the legislation.

U.S. Rep. Charles DentU.S. Rep. Charles Dent (R-Allentown) is drawing attention to his opponent's fundraising numbers, specifically her struggles in securing donations from within the 15th Congressional District.

Dent raised about $230,000 in the second fundraising quarter, barely more than the $226,000 raised by Democrat Sam Bennett. Dent did finish the reporting period with significantly more cash on hand, boasting about $686,000 compared with $353,000 for Bennett.

But in a statement last week, Dent's campaign said a closer look at Bennett's campaign finance reports revealed her lack of support within the district, which stretches across Lehigh, Northampton, Berks and Montgomery counties.

Saying Bennet was "miserably failing at raising financial support from people in our community," Dent's campaign said that 87 percent of Bennett's itemized, non-PAC donations came from outside the district. Of the $154,000 in itemized contributions above $200 Bennett collected, only $19,820 came from donors in the district, the campaign said.

"It's ridiculous," Dent Campaign Manager Shawn Millan said in the statement, which also said that Bennett had raised more money from out of state than from district residents. "You go through her reports and you see street addresses for California but nothing from Catasauqua."

The attacks by Dent's campaign came less than a week after Bennett called for a "clean campaign pledge" and said she would not engage in "negative personal attacks."

U.S. Rep. Charles Dent (R-Allentown) raised more than $231,000 for his reelection bid during the second quarter, leaving the 15th District incumbent with more than $686,000 in cash on hand, according to campaign finance reports published today.

Dent is facing Democrat Sam Bennett in the fall. Bennett's numbers had not yet been published early Tuesday afternoon.

Dent has now raised over $1.1 million during the election cycle and has spent more than $775,000.

Targeting by ads that seek to paint them as lackies for the oil industry and President Bush, Republican Congressional incumbents on Monday lashed out against the Democratic advertising campaign for making a joking matter of high oil prices.

The advertisements, by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, are targeting Republican incumbents across the country, including three in Pennsylvania. They depict President Bush, whose voice is done by an impersonator, leaving messages for the incumbents thanking them for their support of oil companies and saying "I know I can always count on you" with a chuckle.

In Pennsylvania, the ads are targeting U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach in the 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Phil English in the 3rd District and U.S. Rep. Charles Dent in the 15th.

Though English's campaign did not comment Monday, the others criticized Democrats for the attempt at humor. The ad has also spread further the widening gap between parties on whether or not to drill for domestic off-shore oil, leading the GOP again to demand action.

“They think the pain that American families are feeling is funny," Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell told PolitickerPA.com. "They don’t understand funny. It’s really sad."

"This is a serious issue that deserves serious debate, and Democrats in Congress are the ones who are refusing to do anyone about it," he added.

Dent's campaign manager, Shawn Millan, sounded a similar tone.

"It’s time for the Democrats, especially our opponent, to get serious on this issue," he said, "It’s not a joking issue when gas is at $4 a gallon."