WASHINGTON -- Republicans put Sen. Rick Santorum's leading Democratic opponent on the defense this week, attempting to link Bob Casey to a disgraced lobbyist and accusing him of being absent from his job as Pennsylvania's treasurer. Democrats, in turn, said Santorum is a hypocrite who has resorted to mudslinging because Casey has a double-digit lead in the polls. The back-and-forth is part of the ongoing political brawl in what has been billed as the nation's premiere Senate race, between Santorum, the No. 3 Senate Republican, and Casey, the son of a late governor. It's a race that could have the candidates spending a combined $50 million. This tit-for-tat dates to Nov. 11, when Casey unveiled an ethics plan at a Washington news conference and alleged that Santorum is a leader in the "K Street Project" -- an effort to get Republican lobbyists hired. To illustrate the excesses exhibited by lobbyists, Casey had the event at the upscale Signatures Restaurant, which was formerly owned by lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who was then under indictment. Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud in the influence-peddling scandal that claimed two Republican leaders. The investigation into those connected with Abramoff is ongoing. Lawmakers -- fearful of voter anger -- started donating to charity or returning money associated with Abramoff. While denying wrongdoing, Santorum donated $11,000 to charity he received from tribes allegedly tied to Abramoff. Santorum then took the lead in crafting reform legislation and appeared at a news conference with reformer advocate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Democrats said it was hypocritical that Santorum had a role in the effort. Santorum denied he was involved in urging anyone to hire Republicans, but the Senate Republican Conference, of which he is chairman, said it would no longer distribute a list of Republicans looking for jobs at meetings with lobbyists. It later said it would scrap the meetings altogether. This week, Republicans said it's Casey's turn to return money. He accepted $1,500 from Edward Ayoob, who worked at Abramoff's firm, and $4,000 from Michael D. Smith, a member of Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm. They also said Casey has a history of missing work and should have been working Wednesday in Harrisburg instead of meeting with Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., at the American Gas Association in Washington. Casey also should follow Carper's lead in donating money given by Smith, they said. "Casey Jr. has based his campaign on a hypocritical line of attack and he should be called out for it," said Dan Ronayne, a spokesman at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The Casey campaign defended Casey's work, saying he saves Pennsylvania taxpayers money. Democrats pointed out Santorum accepted $4,200 from Greenberg Traurig CEO Cesar Alvarez, along with three other associates with alleged connections to Abramoff who contributed a combined $3,500. Among the three was Tony Rudy, a former aide of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, also employed at Greenberg Traurig, who donated $2,000 in 2003 to Santorum's political action committee, they said. "This is nothing more than a desperate smoke screen. Santorum should take a closer look at his own campaign finances," said Larry Smar, a Casey spokesman. It's unclear how much the issue resonates with voters. Only 6 percent of the state's voters believe politicians -- including their leadership and ties to corruption -- are the No. 1 problem facing Pennsylvania, according to a Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University poll released Monday. The economy was the top concern, followed by taxes.

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