In a new op-ed piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rick Santorum makes a certain message pretty clear, doing everything except coming right out and saying it: He won't be supporting Arlen Specter against his right-wing primary challengers this cycle.

Santorum refers to Specter as a "political Houdini" who tacks right during a primary, explaining his newfound opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, while also supporting the big-spending stimulus bill. And Santorum remembers how Specter tried to recruit a moderate to run in the GOP Senate primary in 1994, to oppose a right-wing Congressman who was in the race -- Rick Santorum.

And check out this final portion:

In 2004, President Bush and a Senate colleague from Western Pennsylvania made the difference for Specter. Those dogs don't hunt anymore. This year, his help may come from Peg Luksic, Larry Murphy, and anyone else who helps split up the vote next spring - anyone other than Pat Toomey, that is.

It will be fun to watch. And watch I will.

Just to make it absolutely clear, Santorum was referring to himself when he mentioned "a Senate colleague from Western Pennsylvania" who made the difference for Specter in the 2004 primary -- and that dog doesn't hunt anymore.

(Via Phil Singer.)