When Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey joined Barack Obama’s bus tour back in March it took us all by surprise. Casey is normally a cautious politician but he sent a strong message to PA voters—get on the bus.

Casey’s endorsement made national news for days.

After all, Casey is a favorite of white working-class men and he bucked many top state Democrats - including Gov. Rendell, Rep. John P. Murtha and Mayor Nutter - who all campaigned for Clinton.

But now that Obama stole the nomination--will Pennsylvania’s voters be as daring as Casey when it’s their turn to get on board?

Despite the interesting poll I cited in my last post--
On April 22nd Sen. Hillary Clinton carried Pennsylvania by 10 percentage points. One in four of Clinton's backers told exit pollsters they would vote for McCain if Obama were the nominee, and an additional 17 percent said they would not vote at all.

But let's not forget that Democrats carried Pennsylvania in the last four presidential contests, and this is a tough year for the GOP with anti-Bush and anti-war sentiments shared by both Democrats and many Republicans.

Obama has the time and money to court Pennsylvania voters, but he needs them to get on the bus and fasten their seatbelts-- because they might just have the power to put Barack Obama in the White House or to keep him out.