In the heavily Democratic 14th Congressional District, the candidates are both credible and collegial, but the contest's conclusion is foregone.

The match-up is between U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, a Democrat seeking his seventh term, and Titus North of the Green Party, whose experience includes teaching political science as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, producing a foreign news digest for business clients and running for mayor of Pittsburgh last year. The 14th District includes Pittsburgh and 50 communities at the heart of Allegheny County between Monroeville and Coraopolis and between Reserve and Elizabeth.

Mr. North, 45, of Squirrel Hill concedes he'll lose, but winning is not why he's running. He feels it's important for someone to contest incumbents so that they must present themselves to citizens and actively seek their votes. And he's running as a Green because he believes the two-party system has failed the country and wants to help create a strong third choice.

His positions on issues are similar to Mr. Doyle's, and he said he has voted for his 53-year-old opponent. "There are votes I regret," he said, "but that is not one of them."

Mr. Doyle of Forest Hills seems to appreciate Mr. North's challenge. He said he's frustrated so few people attend debates between candidates. "Democracy requires work," he said, but often people don't seem to have time.

Mr. Doyle supported combating terrorists in Afghanistan but opposed the resolution authorizing President Bush to wage war in Iraq. Now he wants American troops withdrawn as quickly as possible. "Americans always want a happy ending, and this story does not have a happy ending," he said.

Mr. North wants troops withdrawn immediately, saying the American presence has been counterproductive.

Both expressed concern about how political campaigns are funded. Mr. Doyle said he hates asking strangers for money to pay for his re-election efforts and that such contributions give special interests special access to lawmakers. He said public financing of campaigns would help end what are real or imagined abuses.

Mr. North agreed, saying political action committees that give money to candidates receive far too much clout as a result.

The two hold similar positions on health insurance. Mr. Doyle said that a decade ago he did not feel national health insurance was necessary, but he does now because he believes the private system is on the verge of collapse. He said the government could provide everyone with basic coverage through a plan like Medicare, with private insurers offering additional coverage.

Mr. North said the government must provide health coverage when more than 40 million Americans do not have it.

The challenger is a bright and congenial candidate who supports true democracy, but Mike Doyle is engaged in the issues and positions that matter to Allegheny County and has earned the Post-Gazette's endorsement.