Did You Know...

**Written by Doug Powers

This week the Chairman of the RNC offered a $100 reward for anyone who could get a picture of President Obama together with Bob Casey, the Democrat Senator from Pennsylvania, where Obama was fundraising. The money went unclaimed of course.

Republicans tying their Democrat opponents to Obama might be an increasingly popular strategy, but it can also work the other way around:

Here’s a telling sign of how much President Obama’s fortunes have changed since 2008 — a leading Democratic Congressional recruit is now attacking a Republican congressman for supporting the president.

Former Ohio Democratic congressman Charlie Wilson, who was attacked relentlessly for being too close with President Obama in last year’s losing campaign, kicked off his comeback bid today by accusing his Republican rival of the same sin.

Wilson, who represented a rural, blue-collar district along the Ohio River, is seeking a rematch against freshman Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. In his successful 2010 campaign, Johnson effectively characterized Wilson as a lackey of national Democrats, blasting him for casting a critical vote for Obama’s health care law and the stimulus.

So it’s striking that Wilson is now trying to use that same tactic against Johnson, criticizing the congressman for supporting free trade agreements backed by President Obama.

“I am disappointed that Congressman Johnson supported President Obama’s free trade agenda this year. These agreements will ship even more of our jobs overseas,” Wilson told WTRF-TV.

If this kind of bipartisan Hope & Change avoidance behavior keeps up, next year Obama will be the Maytag repairman of presidents. The upside to that being lots more time for golf.

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe