Bringing sanity to Colorado CD-4

The Denver Post this morning is profiling the race for Musgrave's seat, and show just how in play the district is.

After she dispatched Stan Matsunaka in a close race in 2004, the question is whether Musgrave can hold on to a district that has been Republican since Democrat Wayne Aspinall bowed out in the early 1970s.

The prospects of a third- party candidate - once a Republican - capturing moderate conservative votes could work against Musgrave.

Musgrave's got a lot of DeLay money in the bank, but it's an uphill climb, folks.

So are Paccione and Musgrave, who are already giving voters a taste of what's to come. Last month, a feisty Paccione issued a challenge to Musgrave to a debate, "anytime, anywhere."

A look at Paccione's campaign website shows a string of news releases critical of Musgrave's voting record and allegations that the congresswoman has been conducting a "baseless smear" campaign against the challenger.

"Marilyn has absolutely no ethical compass," Paccione is quoted as saying in a news release on her website.

And as summer approaches, things will only heat up.

"As a former athlete, Paccione will be persistent; she has learned not to give up because she is behind in the game, so to speak," said Steve Mazurana, a University of Northern Colorado political science professor.

Damn straight.