The overwhelming support that former republican Arlen Specter received in 2004 from president Bush is coming back to haunt him — maybe.

The GOP has launched an attack campaign against Arlen Specter aimed at highlighting his conservative record.

The effort includes a Web page featuring YouTube clips of Specter’s positive comments about conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Rick Santorum, and criticism of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. It also involves robocalls to Pennsylvania voters to "help you welcome your newest Democrat senator" that use audio from Specter’s old campaign ads — audio featuring what the NRSC describes as "glowing support" from former President George W. Bush.

"I’m here to say it as plainly as I can, Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate," says Bush in comments included in the new call. "I can count on this man — see, that’s important. He’s a firm ally when it matters most. I’m proud to tell you I think he’s earned another term as the United States senator."

Here’s a video:

I don’t know how successful this tactic is going to be for the GOP. This looks a little desperate. Regardless of what Bush said about him, everybody knows how enraged Specter always made the conservative base, so I don’t know if this holds much water.

-Chris Jones