Pennsylvania: Sam Bennett

A new ad being aired by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Allentown) seeks to continue capitalizing on his Democratic opponent's well-publicized gaffe during a recent debate.

His opponent, Sam Bennett, erroneously said that two area banks had failed, prompting the local TV station airing the debate to take the extraordinary steps of muting what she said and blurring her mouth when she said it.

"Sam Bennett made a big mistake that could have hurt you," says the ad, embedded below and airing on local network and cable.

Even while Democrat Sam Bennett's fundraising numbers have steadily picked up, they are still eclipsed by her 15th Congressional District opponent U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Allentown).

Dent raised over $442,000 in the third quarter, leaving him with almost $763,000 in cash on hand, according to his campaign finance report filed Wednesday.

Bennett has $245,000 on hand.

Call it a financially dangerous gaffe.

During a debate with U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Allentown) on Friday, Democrat Sam Bennett said that Sovereign and Wachovia banks had failed.

Only problem is they hadn't, and still haven't. And in the midst of a perilous credit crunch and flailing confidence in financial institutions, the Bennett campaign didn't want to spook voters into making a run on the banks and proving Bennett right.

Former New York Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is in Pennsylvania today to campaign for Republican incumbents in Congress.

Giuliani will join U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-West Pikeland) in a visit to software developer Analytical Graphics Inc. in Exton, Chester County. Gerlach is running against Democrat Bob Roggio in the 6th Congressional District.

He will also rally for U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Allentown) in Bethlehem. Dent is running against Democrat Sam Bennett in the 15th Congressional District.