In trying to earn a spot on the ballot in Pennsylvania this November, Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli has no better friend than the man he wants to topple: U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. The Republican incumbent says that everyone in state politics should help Romanelli gather the large number of voter signatures - more than 67,000 - that he needs to qualify for the Senate race. Romanelli can use all the help he can get: Pennsylvania has among the toughest requirements in the country for independent or third-party candidates to get on the ballot.Why should Santorum aid a potential foe? Vince Galko, his campaign manager, says it is because of his interest in free debate. Common political strategy suggests the likelihood of another Santorum motive - to divide and conquer. If Romanelli gained ballot access, he probably would draw some votes away from Bob Casey Jr., the Democratic nominee and far larger threat to Santorum's bid to win a third term.
In the primary, some Democrats who favor abortion rights made it clear they were uncomfortable with the antiabortion positions that Casey generally shares with Santorum. John Brabender, Santorum's media adviser, helpfully suggested Romanelli as an alternative in a recent chat on a Pittsburgh talk radio station. "People who don't agree with Rick Santorum and who don't agree with Bob Casey - if you happen to be strongly pro-choice or antiwar - they should be out there helping the Green Party candidate," he said.