Pennsylvania, as a major national election focus, is about to be repeated as state Treasurer Robert Casey Jr. strives to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, the third-highest ranking Republican in the Senate, in 2006.

It indeed will be a battle of political heavyweights. On the GOP side, Santorum has been termed a lightning rode for conservative Republican issues on the national front and has enjoyed wide support across the Keystone State and nation for his anti-abortion stance. On the Democratic side, Casey, whose last name has been synonymous with Pennsylvania politics for more than three decades, captured the most votes of any candidate in state history in his landslide victory in the 2004 treasurer's race. He also is an abortion opponent.

Many Democrats believe that a pro-life Democrat has the best chance of defeating the incumbent.

But there are many issues besides abortion that demand these two candidates' discussion in next year's campaign, assuming that the Santorum-Casey battle becomes reality by way of next year's primary elections.

The foundation for the candidates' campaign strategies began falling into place on a good note as soon as Casey declared his intention to challenge Santorum, and as other Democratic Senate hopefuls, including former state treasurer Barbara Hafer, agreed to bow out of the race rather than risk division within the Democratic Party.

In announcing his candidacy, Casey said, "As senator, I will fight every day to put middle-class families first."

Santorum said, "I look forward to a spirited debate on issues of importance to Pennsylvanians, such as saving and strengthening Social Security for future generations and promoting economic growth and job creation for hard-working Pennsylvanians."

With both candidates on the same side of the pro-life fence, the candidates' stances on abortion won't be distracting the candidates from the importance economic issues that the nation faces - unlike what occurred during last year's presidential race.

Much money from outside the state is destined to flow into the candidates' war chests, to allow the candidates' messages to get to the voters.

Democrats nationally will do everything within financial reason - and maybe even more than that - to get the Casey message into the homes and hearts of state residents. The goal among many Democrats also includes avenging last year's defeat of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

Republicans will be striving to protect their incumbent rising star, who, in addition to his Senate duties, is chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

Republican State Committee Chairperson Eileen Melvin was quoted in a Pittsburgh newspaper as saying Santorum will "continue to aggressively advocate for better wages for Pennsylvania families, to improve access to health care and help the less fortunate among us through charitable and faith-based efforts."

What neither party is focusing on at this juncture - but which no doubt will become a point of discussion as Election Day 2006 draws nearer - is that the Casey-Santorum battle will provide a glimpse of the existing voter mood regarding the presidency of George W. Bush, and maybe forecast the presidential prospects of the two major political parties in 2008.

More than 14 months remain until the 2006 Senate primaries, and the general election, from which either Santorum or Casey will emerge victorious, is about 20 months away. But Pennsylvania voters will be treated to a hard-fought marathon that, at least in terms of campaign length, will rival that of a presidential campaign.

And, as occurred during the 2004 White House battle, people across the nation will be watching Pennsylvania regarding how it will impact national politics once the election is over.

Pennsylvania Republicans and Democrats can at least agree that that is as it should be.