What more is there to say about "Baghdad Jimmy" McDermott, who during his recent trip to Iraq said he took Saddam Hussein at his word and expressed mistrust in the Bush administration? How about that he's a likable, straightforward guy who, for a politician, is refreshingly candid. And that he represents his liberal, peacenik constituency with gusto. And despite his congressman-for-life status in the safest of safe seats--the Andrew Jackson look-alike won 77 percent of the primary vote--he remains accessible and engaged.

And, let's be honest, he doesn't have much in the way of opposition. The Republican candidate, education consultant Carol Thorne Cassady, is little more than a George W. booster, and has no significant political or even community experience (unless you count the volunteering she did for her son's swim team). Candidate Stan Lippmann is a constant election circuit character; and we do mean character. His most recent campaign was running for the mayor of Biosphere 2.