Routinely, members of Congress who want to get reelected raise a lot of money to scare challengers out of the race. Joel Hefley clearly did not do that in 2005, and suddenly he has an opponent.

Almost anyone who's lost at the Legislature or who's lost at Congress is now turning to the ballot in Colorado.

The fact you won't debate becomes a story in itself.

The Democrats are in a very strong position. They have their nominee, and he's clearly a moderate.

I think he'll mainly be remembered for these last two years, for his courageous stand against Tom DeLay. History bore him out as the person in the correct position. . . . That put Joel on the map nationally.

They lost what many would consider their most promising candidate, because he is the one with money. I think there is a loss of momentum for the Democrats here.