The most-forwarded e-mail in town this week had to be the Ed Case survey.

In it, Case asks whether he should run for governor or Congress in 2010.

In an e-mail inbox full of "forward this candle to a friend" and "Greetings from Tanzania," a guy asking "Governor or Congress?" as if the question were "Dockers or slacks?" just about stops you cold. It also practically begs for satire.

There's an option in the survey to vote "other," but Case isn't considering any other options.

"For me, it's Governor or Congress because I'm hotwired to tackle the toughest challenges and that's where the sum total of my background and experience can be best contributed to help the most people," Case said in an e-mail interview.

Impudence has always been part of Case's charm, especially from a man who is otherwise softspoken.

In 2006, when Case announced he was risking his seat in Congress to take a run at Dan Akaka's Senate seat, it was clear he was either going to explode on the launch pad or shoot straight to the moon with all that rocket fuel around.

After the loss, Case got quiet for a while, and Akaka, the most beloved Tutu-man in Congress, seemed to get a charge out of the challenge.

During the recent election season, Case made the usual rounds as political commentator but didn't say anything revealing. And then bang! He shot up this flare.

A tad immodest? Sure. But you have to give Case credit for getting back into the game in bold fashion. Comebacks are hard, and usually, we admire those who pick themselves up and try again. Case isn't crawling up from some sordid DUI or tax troubles or other malfeasance; he is coming back from a bout of over-ambition. A dose of failure usually cures that.

But rather than beg permission of the Democratic Party this time around, he's seeking input from voters.

"That's been happening in all kinds of ways, from the checkout line or beach or lunch break to community meetings and online communications," Case said. "The survey's just another way to ask and listen. ...Very honest, if you can handle reality."

Case is a Democrat who's been seen recently with local Republicans. His survey doesn't bring up his party affiliation. "No, I'm not switching parties," he said.

The "Governor or Congress" question seems like it could be answered with "Whatever Neil Abercrombie isn't running for." Case says his decision isn't predicated on Abercrombie's next move, but that if the congressman does run for governor, that would give Case another option to consider in Washington besides his former congressional seat.

Wonder if Mufi Hannemann responded to Case's survey?

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.