That's what TPM Reader GM says ...

The talk of the Tom Ridge candidacy here in Pa reminds me of the Fred Thompson love affair last year in the Republican primary. Republican leadership and moderates in the suburbs will push Ridge into the race even though he will probably end up much like Thompson: uninformed and unable to raise money. The local Republican committees will never allow their State Committee people endorse Ridge over Toomey so it is a great story but highly impractical. This is a moderate Republicans Wayne's World dream and we will ultimately wake up and realize we are still driving a Pinto and have a mullet.

There's some chatter about a soon-to-be-released poll alleging showing Ridge up over Toomey. But even if that's true, a lot could simply be name recognition. The other key issue is abortion. Ridge is pro-choice. And that's a heavy burden to carry into a radicalized GOP primary electorate. Next, what about what Ridge's been doing since he left the Bush administration. He basically set up up as a lobbyist. Might be some interesting digging to be done there.

Meanwhile Toomey's says he's raised $500,000 in the three weeks since he officially got in the race.