The New York Times has a thoughtful editorial about my Senator, Russ Feingold:

Many Democrats are running away from their solid accomplishments of the
last two years, apologizing for their association with President Obama.
Mr. Feingold is one of the very few with the self-confidence to offer a
full-throated defense of his votes.

But the Wisconsin electorate he faces seems to have lost its progressive
streak and become more like other Midwestern states. Several polls have
shown that the number of likely voters who consider themselves
conservative has risen from a quarter of the electorate to nearly half.
The misinformation and simplistic solutions propounded by talk radio and
the Republican Party are having an effect even in a state that
preferred Mr. Obama by 14 points two years ago.

Around the country, the Obama voters who were so energized in 2008 are
rueful and dispirited, taking their cue from the timid races run by so
many fearful Democratic candidates. Mr. Feingold is making the case that
there is a choice to make on Nov. 2 and that there is a need for
thoughtful voices in Washington.

Uphill in Wisconsin | http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/opinion/13wed1.html?_r=1&hp

Here’s hoping that ultimately, reason prevails.