Chris Carney

The conservative group Freedom's Watch has unleashed yet another round of robocalls, this one attacking Democrats in Congress for "standing between us and billions of barrels of American oil."

The robocall campaigns are being run in New Hampshire, Arizona, California, Kentucky, New York, Illinois, Florida and Ohio, as well as in Pennsylvania.

With similar scripts, the Pennsylvania calls are targeting U.S. Reps. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless) in the 4th Congressional District, Chris Carney (D-Dimock) in the 10th Congressional District and Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke City) in the 11th Congressional District.

The voice on the call reminds listeners that President Bush recently lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling, and blames its Democratic targets for stopping increases in domestic oil production. It gives listeners a number of times that each target has "sided with Nancy Pelosi and liberals in Congress instead of us" and urges listeners to call the target.

"Tell him to stop standing between the American people and American oil," the call closes.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel: Getty Images PhotoEight Pennsylvania Democrats running for Congress are being criticized by the National Republican Congressional Committee for accepting donations from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who is embroiled in scandal after being accused of using his high-profile status to secure rent-stabilized apartments.

The NRCC sent two sets of e-mails, one Saturday to incumbents and another Wednesday to challengers, saying Democrats should return donations from the politically powerful Rangel.

What many consider the most competitive congressional race in Pennsylvania became a little closer Tuesday.

Republican challenger Chris Hackett raised $367,578 in the second fundraising quarter. That's slightly more than Democratic incumbent Chris Carney, who raised $356,499.

Carney, however, continues to hold a significant advantage in total cash on hand. The incumbent has $1149,938, compared to Hackett's $266,816.

Kathy Dahlkemper found out this week her race was being changed from likely Republican to lean Republican. Find out who joins Dahlkemper as a winner this week.

Congressional candidate Chris HackettA prominent business group today endorsed Republican Chris Hackett in his attempt to unseat freshman lawmaker U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) in the state's 10th Congressional District, Roll Call reports (subscription only).

The endorsement was one of three made by The Business-Industry Political Action Committee today. The PAC also made endorsements in Congressional races Georgia and Kentucky.

BIPAC CEO Greg Casey said that Hackett's ownership of a temp staffing company in northeastern Pennsylvania will help him "bring a keen awareness of business concerns to Congress,” Roll Call reports.

Democratic Congressman Chris Carney will get to add another Republican supporter to his Republicans for Carney list.  David Urban, former chief of staff for Senator Arlen Specter will host a DC fundraiser for Carney on July 16th. 

U.S. Rep. Chris CarneyA former chief of staff of Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is raising money for Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney as he faces a still re-election test, Roll Call reports (subscription required).

David Urban was Specter's chief of staff for five years, but now he is hosting a $1,000-a-head breakfast for Carney July 16 in Washington.

"While I'm a Republican, I like to think I support solid candidates," Urban told Roll Call. "[Carney] is a conservative Democrats ... who deserves to be given another shot."

Freedom's Watch has again targeted two northeast Pennsylvania congressmen as part of its ongoing campaign to criticize Democratic incumbents for opposing expanded domestic oil drilling.

The Washington-based conservative advocacy group this time is running radio ads in the districts of U.S. reps. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) and Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke). They criticize the representatives for refusing to help families struggling with high gas prices by "voting against American energy independence."

The ads provide the congressman's phone number and asks voters to tell them to support H.R. 3089, the "No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007."

Freedom's Watch previously launched a series of robocalls against three Pennsylvania Democratic incumbents criticizing them on the same issue.

Kanjorksi's campaign has previously called the attacks untrue.

The second quarter is over and now we wait for the FEC numbers to be released.  But what should we expect?

In the 3rd district Phil English is facing off against challenger Kathy Dahlkemper.  In April English was showing $690k cash on had after raising $282k in the first quarter.   Dalhkemper raised $58k during the same period and had $71k on hand.  This is the make or break quarter for Dahlkemper.  She has been named as a candidate to watch on the DCCC Red-to-Blue program, but another $58k quarter will not get the job done.  For Dahlkemper to be taken seriously by the DCCC she will need to post a number that puts her with at least $250k cash on hand.