Each morning as he heads out on the campaign trail, an increasingly bleak and hostile landscape, U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd must ask himself, "Why me?"

Democrats are under siege everywhere, but during 14 years in office, Boyd has carved a profile as a conservative "Blue Dog," comfortable in an increasingly Republican North Florida. He has never faced a close election. Until now.

Read previous stories in Alex Leary's Midterms series exploring the policy, the politics and the people driving the 2010 elections:

• Tea party favorite Allen West is gunning for Ron Klein's seat
• Cosmic opposites Alan Grayson and Dan Webster clash in U.S. House race
• D.C. hub for tea party providing organizing muscle for Rubio's senate bid
• For many, a Sarah Palin endorsement brings a helpful boost
• In fight for re-election, John McCain takes on harder conservative personaI
• The tea party roared and the nation noticed; now what?
• In year of anti-incumbency, Pennsylvania's Specter fights to survive
• Health care reform votes might make Democrats vulnerable in midterm elections