 As of early September, the "Rothenberg Political Report" called Hostettler one of the three most endangered House incumbents in the country; Chris Cillizza, political analyst for "The Washington Post", ranked Hostettler as the most vulnerable House incumbent in the nation; and Robert D. Novak, a syndicated columnist and editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, also rated Hostettler's seat a likely win for Ellsworth.In mid-October, an opinion poll commissioned by the "Evansville Courier & Press" showed Ellsworth leading Hostettler, 55% to 32%.Hostettler debated Ellsworth on October 23, 2006.