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

At least for your political supporters and your political junkies out there, you're getting to them at virtually no cost.

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.

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

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.

Debating is something candidates are expected to do. If the debates are lively and cantankerous, it advances the cause of the public being able to make a choice for the Republican nominee.

He has the middle class characteristics that might have appeal outside of Denver. He's not a member of a minority group. He has a background in business, and he's a fresh face.

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.