This item in today's Denver Post, about a likely Democratic line of attack on businessman Dave Liniger, who's considering a Senate run:

Dave Liniger, the co-founder and chairman of Re/Max International who is pondering a run for U.S. Senate, is an interesting guy: Not only does he have a business, but he drove for NASCAR, recently owned a speedway, currently owns a golf course and has attempted to fly a hot-air balloon around the world. He also wrote a quick review in 1995 of the book "A Brief History of Star Trek: The Original Series to the Next Generation," calling it "entertaining and instructive" and "rich with leadership principles."

If Liniger, a Republican, does run for the Senate, the Democrats promise to point out that his quirkiness is not quite in step with the common Coloradan.

"What's he going to say? 'I'm a man of the people?' He's a hot-air balloonist!" said Brad Woodhouse, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Memo to Mr. Woodhouse: "quirkiness" might be considered an asset in a race to succeed Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell in the Senate. Also, consider that Mr. Liniger actually built a business, rather than marrying into one. Or two. Does this mean Salazar may be running away from the top of the ticket?