For the last three years, the predominant Democratic strategy has been to tie every breathing Republican to unpopular President Bush. Now, Michigan Democrats believe coupling the GOP vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, with Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R) will help them win his seat.

“Knollenberg and Palin — Two Peas in a Pod of Delusion,” read the release from the Michigan Democratic Party on Thursday. The Congressman is locked in a very competitive re-election race against former state Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters (D) in the 9th district.

“Whether it’s supporting unfair trade policies that ship Michigan jobs overseas or thinking Alaska’s proximity to Russia qualifies as foreign policy experience, Knollenberg is out of touch with what will bring the change Michigan needs,” state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer said. The release also highlights Palin and Knollenberg’s agreement on abortion rights and global warming, claiming that they are “too extreme” for Oakland County.

This appears to be the first time that Democrats have attempted to use Palin as a negative in a Congressional race. Democrats will surely continue to use Bush as an anvil around Republicans’ necks, but thus far, they have not tried to use GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) as an issue.