Rather, it's the way Hatch has become a Washington insider, the way he's helped corporate friends — especially big media companies — that should be a political liability, Ashdown says.

"I and many others are concerned" over how Hatch has pushed new laws in attempting to control what's known as peer-to-peer Internet communication, especially in trying to deal with copyright questions. For example, instead of trying to catch kids downloading music free online and charging them with crimes, firms should follow iTunes' move to provide inexpensive music downloads.

Big media firms should be working within the free-enterprise system in dealing with copyright questions, not running to Hatch to get a punitive federal law passed, says Ashdown.

And Ashdown plans to use his enormous knowledge of the Internet and technology to help him raise funds, contact voters and win supporters. Ashdown even now is holding an open chat online each Thursday night on his campaign Web site: pashdown.org.

"The Internet has changed politics; we've seen it. As best as I can tell, no one with my expertise (an Internet engineer) has ever run before" nor served in the U.S. Senate, he says.

Despite Utah's conservative GOP tendencies, "I think Utahns will vote for the person, if they can get to know the person," says Ashdown. And technology can greatly help in that education process.

Don't worry. You won't be getting unsolicited "spam" e-mails from Ashdown for Senate. "I was a (technology) consultant to a campaign before, and we always cautioned you don't send political spam. People will actually vote against you if you do that."

Ashdown defines himself as a fiscal conservative, but a liberal on social issues such as health care and helping the poor. "I'm a pro-life candidate." But he thinks government has no place in deciding who may marry whom. "It's an intrusion" in personal lives, he says.

According to PoliticalMoneyLine, an online Federal Election Commission tracking service, Hatch spent $4.5 million in 1999 and 2000 for his last re-election. And the senator has $1 million in cash on hand as of last March, so the always well-heeled Hatch has the ability to spend a lot of money on his 2006 re-election.

Ashdown says he will spend some of his own cash, as well. At this point, he thinks that will be less than $500,000. "I won't endanger my business or personal finances." But candidates can spend as much of their own money as they see fit.

Longtime GOP campaigner Dave Hansen, who has worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, hired on in January to be Hatch's campaign manager. Hansen says Hatch is not a pawn of U.S. media firms.

"The senator does what is right by all the people in high-tech issues, and you'll see that we have fine support among the high tech industries" despite what Ashdown may say.

Hatch barely missed being forced into a GOP primary in 2000 because members of Utah's right wing were upset with some of his social stands. Hatch was booed by a few GOP convention attendees that year.

"We hope we don't have a convention challenge" within the Republican Party, Hansen said. "We hope we don't have a primary. But either way, we'll raise and spend as much as needed to win this race."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com