Representative Joe Donnelly (D-IN) is facing a difficult re-election this November. The two-term incumbent is seeking another chance to represent Indiana’s 2nd congressional district — a constituency that consists of more Republicans than Democrats. The district was actually represented by Chris Chocola, now president of the Club for Growth, until 2006.

As you can imagine, being a Democrat can be a bit toxic this year if you’re running in a Republican-leaning district in a red state. So Donnelly is running as far away as possible from Nancy Pelosi, the far-left speaker and top Democrat in the House of Representatives. In fact, Donnelly slams a major item on Pelosi’s agenda — and mentions Pelosi by name — in his latest ad.

The narrator touts Donnelly as the “most independent congressman” (of all time?! We jest) and says that he “voted against Nancy Pelosi’s energy tax on Hoosier families.”

That some interesting spin, but Donnelly was there for the liberal Democratic leadership when it counted: He voted for ObamaCare when it came up in the House and, subsequently, voted to raise taxes in the middle of a deep recession. Nothing he says will override his vote for government-run health care and higher taxes on the private sector.

Expect more of this strategy. Incumbent Democrats who were there for Pelosi when it counted will suddenly tout “independent” credentials and claim to have bucked their own party’s agenda. Some voters may buy the selective history but most will see right through it.

By the way, Jackie Walorski is Donnelly’s conservative opponent. She opposes government-run health care, supports a restoration of fiscal discipline, and is a firm believer in limited government with respect for the Constitution. She has even picked up Sarah Palin’s endorsement. Walorski, unlike Donnelly, is the right person to represent Indiana’s 2nd.