Giuliani Sees Socialism in Democrats' Plans

"Rick Renzi's seat was a target before his family business was raided by the FBI. It's even more so now. If and when there is special election, the Democratic candidate will have the support needed to win," said Jennifer Crider, a DCCC spokeswoman.

-- Chris Cillizza

Debate Gives Gravel His Moment

CNN asked whether former Alaska senator Mike Gravel (D) is the "breakout star."

The New York Times said he was the candidate at the Democratic debate who made front-runners such as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "uncomfortable."

And if you're measuring -- in this new age -- by YouTube videos, online politics critic Howard Mortman says Gravel took the prize with 18 videos posted after the debate.

In the 24 hours since the debate, Gravel, the fiery, self-described "elder statesman" who left politics 26 years ago, definitely got more attention than he had seen since he became the first Democrat to declare for president last April. It was the chance every long-shot candidate hopes for.

And for Gravel, it might give his campaign a few more months of liquidity. In an interview, Gravel said he left Columbia, S.C., at 4 a.m. yesterday with his campaign account $900 in debt.

By later yesterday, the account had more than $10,000. "Lo and behold!" Gravel said.

He added: "We need the resources to take account of ourselves, and of course we will be able to do that if the money keeps up."

-- Zachary A. Goldfarb

Briefly Noted

· Melissa Fitzgerald, the actress who played Carol Fitzpatrick, assistant to the press secretary on NBC's "The West Wing," is talking to local Democrats about challenging Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) in 2008, according to the Allentown Morning Call. Gerlach deflected a stiff challenge last year.

· California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that a special election to fill the House vacancy created by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D) will be held Aug. 21.