By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

The 2011 races are over, and the 2012 cycle has begun.

Steve Welch, the biotech entrepreneur and former congressional candidate, has launched the first attack of the new cycle – a web video that highlights United States Senator Bob Casey’s close ties to President Barack Obama.

Welch himself narrates the ad, which begins with the assertion that Casey has sided with Obama at a 98 percent voting clip – including his support for the Affordable Care Act, the 2009 stimulus package and “every government regulation that is interfering with job creation.”  He proceeds to point out that the federal government has grown 46 percent and unemployment has nearly doubled “since Bob Casey has been in office.”

The spot then pivots somewhat positively, as Welch emphasizes the need to send “ordinary Americans that actually have experience creating jobs” to Washington.  “And I assure you, once we get the government out of our job creation, once we get the government out of our businesses, we will see American innovators, American entrepreneurs thrive once again and we will continue to see this economy boom,” he says.

The nature of Welch’s opening salvo is no surprise given the Chester County entrepreneur’s background and President Obama’s sagging popularity in the Keystone State. 

For months, strategists associated with Welch have described him as an ideal foil for Casey, given his business acumen, experiences creating jobs and ability to portray himself as a political outsider.

Welch’s personal wealth – he contributed roughly $650,000 to two aborted Congressional bids during the 2010 cycle and has expressed a willingness to invest in this race as well – could also be a factor as the race’s various factions pick up steam.

According to a Quinnipiac poll released on Thursday, roughly half of Pennsylvania voters disapprove of President Obama’s job performance (52 percent – 44 percent) and believe he does not deserve reelection (50 percent – 46 percent).  Roughly the same percentage of respondents (53 percent) named the economy the most significant issue heading into the 2012 cycle.

Click here to watch the full ad, which is titled “The Same.”