Colorado, writes National Journal's always insightful Ronald Brownstein, is"America, writ small." "A microcosm," he goes on, "of the forcesdestabilizing American politics."

Of course, Colorado is not entirely typical of the nation. It has America'slowest rates of obesity, for example -- because of a young population andbecause most Coloradans live a mile or more above sea level. You burn morecalories there just getting out of the car and walking to the mall.