Who is this winning over?

With all the complaints about Bob Casey's invisibility in recent months, you'd think that his rare appearances or statements would be those carefully calculated to win him significant votes. But who exactly is he courting by taking a position on the Alito nomination, which will be long over before he's even up for election? Liberals already depressed by his abortion stance will see this statement of support as unnecessary salt in the wound, real social conservatives are probably already Santorum pals, and how many centrists are paying attention yet? But perhaps I show my naivete, and lots of mid-staters will see this as a sign of his centrism. Would certainly love to know.

(via a Medley furling)

Update: heh, Dan at YPP is even more irate than I am...

Update 2: Atrios/kos are also perplexed and peeved, though they put it more eloquently than I...