Democrat Jon Hulburd kept hammering away at Ben Quayle over the Republican’s ties to a racy website, but after the candidates’ first and only televised debate, observers are saying that line of attack has run its course.

With few policy positions separating the frontrunners in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, the candidates are relying on their qualifications, credibility and their ability to defeat incumbent Democratic Rep. Harry Mitchell in November as they seek the Republican nomination.

Six months of trying to outflank Sen. John McCain from the right produced less support, less money, fewer endorsements and lower poll numbers than J.D. Hayworth and his dedicated followers had anticipated.