The former football player for both the University of Missouri-Columbia and the Detroit Lions faced a reporter with a video camera in February after announcing his candidacy.

Olivo wasn’t prepared.

“What do you feel is the biggest issue that will … be a part of this race, for you?” he’s asked by Jason Rosenbaum of the Columbia Daily Tribune.

“I don’t know,” Olivo replies as cutlery clinks against plates behind him. “Uhh, I really can’t answer that question right now. I’m really not sure…”

Next, MSNBC’s Keith Oberman puts him on his countdown. The videos can be seen again and again, along with Olivo explaining that he’s a recovering apathetic, and that’s why he’s never voted.

And the whole thing shows voters a few things, Olivo thinks.

First, it’s a good laugh, he jokes.

Second: “It shows people that I’m not a slick Willy. I’m not a career politician. I’m not part of the establishment … and I’m very proud of that.”

And he tells people to go see the video, Olivo says. He wants people to see how far he’s come.

Olivo is interested in what he calls energy reform issues.

“That’s huge on everyone’s campaign right now.”

But, he asks, “Do we simply want lower gas prices, or do we want real, comprehensive energy reform that is going to carry us for generations?”

Olivo believes oil is and will continue to be our primary source of energy for generations, and because of that, he supports exploring domestic oil reserves in an environmentally friendly way.

The issue isn’t just an economic one, he says, but also one of national security.

Still, it’s the YouTube videos that have defined Olivo, thinks Dave Robertson, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. And that speaks to the times we’re living in.

Early in his political career, Robertson says, someone like Democratic candidate Steve Gaw wouldn’t have faced the reverberations of blunders. “One thing politicians have learned is that they can’t be as frank as they might like to be,” Robertson says.

Because of that, Robertson thinks Olivo might have a hard time overcoming his early fumble.

Rep. Danie Moore came into the Missouri House during hard times, she says. The budget faced a $1.1 billion deficit. It doesn't any more, and Moore is proud of her fiscal record. She serves on the budget committee, among others, and isn’t happy with the economy right now, or either party of Congress.

“The Republicans and the Democrats have been spending us into oblivion,” she says.

Specifically, Moore’s concerned with higher gas prices, “which is affecting everything and everybody.” So how would she fix that?

“I am for drilling in ANWR and I am for drilling off shore.”

Moore notes that countries such as Cuba and Mexico are showing interest in doing the same, and if they have an oil spill, the U.S. will be cleaning it up.

She supports nuclear energy and wants more nuclear plants built, and supports all other forms of alternative energy. Of the most importance, Moore says we need to allow the American spirit to find soultions to total energy independence.

“We should have been doing that years ago.”

To do that, Moore thinks the federal government should offer incentives to compaines and individuals to come up with solutions. Like her counterparts, she also sees the issue as one of national security.

Will any of these things actually result in lower gas prices?

Moore stresses the need to be self-sufficient. “We simply must start today.”

Marvin Overby, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, says Moore’s chances aren’t very good. “A lot of people run not to win, but to get their name out,” he says.

Dan Bishir

It’s the “Rocky” theme, and it seems appropriate. “Conditions mandate that I can no longer sit by watching the fight,” Bishir says on the site. “I must now step into the ring for the sake of our country and the good of the people of Missouri. The time has come to ignite a burning desire in our communities to do great things not only for ourselves, but for others.”

Bishir didn’t return calls for an interview, but he’s been described as the political unknown so many times that it’s what he’s becoming known for.

“No one knows much,” says Marvin Overby, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“Unknown is a very good label,” says Dave Robertson, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

On his Web site, Bishir lists 36 issues. The top is “Secure our borders.”

His Web site also says this: “P.S. The reason that the Rocky theme is playing on my website is because the current members of the Bishir for Congress team realize we are the biggest underdog since Rocky stepped into the ring against Apollo Creed.”

The 9th Congressional District is getting a lot of attention this primary season beacuse (1) the incumbent is not running for re-election and (2) it is a diverse district that could be open to anyone. To read an overview of the district, click here.

To read profiles of Democrats Judy Baker and Steve Gaw, click here  , of Ken Jacob and Lyndon Bode, click here .

To read profiles of Republicans Bob Onder and Blaine Lukemeyer, click here .