http://youtu.be/PBT7baBqwDE

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has chosen its final target of the 2012 cycle, and it’s U.S. Senator Bob Casey. The national business group launched a television ad slamming the Democrat in western Pa.

The ad is fairly standard: it hits Casey for his vote in favor of Obamacare, his vote for Cap and Trade, and his vote for environmental regulations on coal.

“We sat down and looked for the one seat in the country that could make the majority,” said Rob Engstrom, the Chamber’s national political director. “We think Casey is vulnerable. His lackluster campaign has given us a window.”

He said the Chamber doesn’t discuss the dollar amount of its ad buys, but said it was airing in the Pittsburgh market and that the Chamber had bought up all available space, beginning Thursday night.

“It’s a sizeable buy, intended to move public opinion,” Engstrom said.

“Big money and Washington special interests are on Tom Smith’s side as big business and Tea Party groups come to his aid,” said Casey Campaign Manager Larry Smar. “Bob Casey has a record of promoting energy jobs and supporting tax policies that benefit middle class families, while Tom Smith is pushing extreme policies that will give tax breaks to millionaires like himself and raise taxes on middle class families.”

It’s the fourth outside group to jump on TV in the race – mostly in the Pittsburgh market. These are the first three:

Majority PAC (pro-Dem super PAC): $515,000
National Republican Senatorial Committee: $500,000
Fight for the Dream PAC (Pa.-based GOP super PAC): $380,000*
Freedomworks for America, a Tea Party-affiliated super PAC, has spent over $1.3 million on various mail pieces, online advertising and grassroots organizing for Smith.

*The group’s president, Wayne Woodman, says he’s now raised a total of $500,000 for his effort.