Top Ten '08 Senate Races to Watch

Senator Wayne Allard said he would limit himself to two terms, and he is not going back on his word. The opening sets up a race between Democratic Congressman Mark Udall and former Congressman Bob Schaffer in a state that is increasingly purple: Colorado did re-elect Bush in 2004, but with just 52% of the vote, and at the same time it chose to send Democrat Ken Salazar to the Senate with 51% of the vote. And Allard never has an easy race, winning reelection in 2002 with just 51 % of the vote. The GOP had hoped that former Governor Bill Owens — who has a proven statewide track record and name recognition — might run, but when he declined they settled on Schaffer. As of June 30 Udall, the son of the legendary Colorado Congressman Mo Udall and a former executive director of the Colorado Outward Bound Program, had more than 3.5 times more money on hand: $2.5 million to Schaffer's $683,000. "Mark Udall is the favorite," Cook said. "I'd be surprised if the Democrats didn't win this one."

— Jay Newton-Small/Washington