Sometimes, what is left unsaid is more important than what is said.
Consider the case of Republican Pat Toomey, the former Lehigh Valley congressman who heads the anti-tax Club for Growth. He issued a statement Friday afternoon saying that he is weighing a candidacy for governor next year.
"I have had several preliminary discussions with supporters of mine regarding a potential run for governor in 2010," Toomey said. "Given the state of Pennsylvania's economy and the disastrous state budgets we face, there is a need for major changes in Harrisburg. It is still very early in my exploration of a possible run, but it is something I will consider."
No reference to next year's U.S. Senate race, which is good news for incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.). Toomey almost knocked off Specter in the 2004 GOP primary, and he remains the highest-profile conservative to carry a potential challenge from the right to the moderate incumbent. Anti-abortion activist Peg Luksik has said she is considering challenging Specter but, although she has a grassroots constituency, she lacks Toomey's national fundraising ability and movement contacts.
Republicans say that there is little appetite to take on Specter, even among those who dislike him, because the party has 41 senators, meaning that only one defection to Democrats on an important vote or confirmation is required to end a filibuster, cutting off debate. (Under Senate rules, there is unlimited debate unless a vote is taken to stop it, a procedure that is called a cloture motion.)
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