Joe Sestak Picking Up Last-Minute Momentum In Pennsylvania Senate Race

Oct. 20, 2010— -- In the closing weeks of his campaign for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak has been throwing everything he can at his Republican opponent -- even his own dog, Belle.

In an ad he unveiled last week, Sestak used the family pet to make a point about rival Pat Toomey's record as a three-term congressman who served from 1999 to 2005.

"My family loves Belle, but she can make a mess and we have to clean it up," Sestak says in the ad. "I think about Belle when I see Congressman Toomey's ads attacking me."

The most memorable image of the television spot: a shot of Sestak throwing away what appears to be a bag of Belle's you-know-what.

The Toomey campaign dismissed the ad as an attempt by Sestak to defend himself for supporting "every single bailout" of the last two years: "Too bad his defense is full of 'poop.'"

The ad may have been an unusual play for Sestak, but with nearly every poll taken since his primary victory over Sen. Arlen Specter this spring showing him trailing Toomey, the former Navy vice admiral and two-term Congressman is trying to get voters' attention. And it may be working.

Sestak and Toomey will meet for their first televised debate of the general election on Wednesday night in Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET. The debate, which will be held at the National Constitution Center, will be moderated by ABC's George Stephanopoulos and Jim Gardner of local ABC affiliate WPVI.

Democrats have been touting a new internal poll released last week, as well as one public survey out on Tuesday, showing Sestak a few points ahead of Toomey. Though other recent polls indicate Toomey remains the frontrunner, Republican political operatives privately acknowledge that the race is getting closer.

ABC News has moved the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up."