Wow, Keystone you now have another PA buddy on here besides me!
You just keep making friends do you? His popularity is due to his position in the Senate. PA loves the establishment for some reason. They don't agree with him on Social Security or his wanton destruction of labor by favoring of big business.
He got VERY lucky in 1994 and 2000. Because the national GOP sees his staunch conservative views coupled with his standing as a Senator in PA, the party will give him whatever he wants. People need to get this "bring home the bacon" concept out of their heads and vote for what really is in their best interests.