Timing is everything. If Byrd kicks the bucket in about a year this guy would be in the catbird seat.
He has to hang on through August of 2006 or they can appoint someone else. Candidates have until January of 2006 to file, but Hiram is the only one out there, raising money, attending events, and getting press nationwide. Byrd has a 47 year headstart and is raising national money for the first time. It's not too early to be going against him now.