By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

In case anyone was unclear about which PA congressional seat Republicans consider their best pickup opportunity, we submit the following.

The National Republican Congressional Committee will criticize the Congressman over attempts to raise the debt limit.. despite the fact that this week Critz voted against a bill to do so.

“After spending recklessly and maxing out the nation’s credit card, Critz demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation’s debt limit without making any spending cuts,” reads the call script in part. “Critz begged for another credit card with no plan on how to pay the bills or promise to stop his spending addiction.

Though Critz voted against this week’s legislation, Republicans point to a letter the Congressman signed in April calling for a “clean” increase of the debt limit – not accompanied by spending cuts.

In a statement, NRCC Spokesman Tory Mazzola elaborated that the call script also referred to general Democratic spending policies.

“Rep. Critz has tossed aside his campaign promises of fiscal responsibility.  Instead, he’s fallen in line with his party leaders who have maxed out the nation’s credit card,” he said. “As a result, we need to borrow more money from China to pay for more government and more spending.”

It’s part of a national campaign begun by the NRCC this morning, targeting 11 Democrats in swing districts.

The NRCC has called the effort in PA-12 “a significant buy,” that will go out to registered Ds, Rs and Is in the district. In March, the NRCC commissioned a similar robocall campaign blaming Critz for high gas prices.

Here is the entire script:

Hello, I’m calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee, 320 First Street SE, Washington, DC  20003, 202.479.7000, with a recorded message about troubling information about your Congressman Mark Critz.

After spending recklessly and maxing out the nation’s credit card, Critz demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation’s debt limit without making any spending cuts. Critz begged for another credit card with no plan on how to pay the bills or promise to stop his spending addiction.

Call Mark Critz at 202-225-2065 and tell him to stop being irresponsible with your tax dollars – and stop borrowing money from China to pay for more spending.

This call was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.