No...this isn't about some acts of civil disobedience or sign stealing. It is about something remarkable though. Here in the red heart of a once strongly red district, there is a shift occuring.
The once impregnable armor of one of Washington's worst legislators and Wisconsin's most embarrassing politician James Sensenbrenner is showing signs of fatique and all out rupture.
With little money and even less press, Bryan Kennedy has been picking up points on Sensenbrenner the old fashioned way. One door at a time.
Poll numbers show that Kennedy's efforts are paying off. He is now
within striking distance and has a real chance to unseat the radical Sensenbrenner.
"This campaign isn't going to won with big money," said Kennedy at a meeting with supporters several months ago. "We don't have a lot of money so we're going to have to go out and knock on doors. Last election I picked up more votes than any candidate that has run against Sensenbrenner and that was because I went out and asked for people's votes."
Since then, Kennedy supporters and volunteers have been able to cover most of the wards in the district hitting one or two areas every weekend. Kennedy himself has been to countless meetings and gatherings. He has also appeared at many fundraisers, most often these are for local candidates who are even more stapped for cash than he is.
"It's important to support all Democratic candidates," he said at a recent fundraiser for the Washington County Democratic Party.
The numbers tell a good story. No matter how off, or skewed, they may be, Kennedy is picking up ground.
But, perhaps, even more important than the numbers is the evidence on the street - or rather the lawns. In the past two or three weeks Sensenbrenner signs have been coming down. Not stolen, but removed by the people who put them up.
I noticed it on the short drive to my parent's house. Three prominent locations that once sported Sensenbrenner signs now do not. Other Republican signs are still up at these spots.
One spot in particular interested me.
A house across the street from my folks is the home of one of the more rah-rah Republicans I've met in a long time. He's an older man who can best be described as a crotchity old fart. Nice enough if you can get past the cantankerousness - but there's a lot of cantankerous to get through.
He's had five Republican signs up since the beginning of the summer. Now he has four. Guess which one is gone?
I saw him outside today and asked him if he was missing a sign.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Hmmm...just wondering."
"Took it down. He aint been doing the right thing lately."
That's it - the whole of our conversation. Not much if you're not familiar with Wisconsin politics. It says a great deal if you are familiar with politics around here. For a man like that to pull out his own Sensenbrenner sign, it takes a lot.
Sensenbrenner may finally have done it to himself too.
He's been attacked in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for calling his own 'hometown' the 'murder capital of the U.S.' while at the same time torpedoing legislation that would help local police trace weapons used in crimes. He didn't endear himself to many when he called the mayor of Milwaukee a crybaby either.
The Journal Sentinel gave him another rap in an article today claiming he's in the pocket of the gun lobby.
Earlier in the year, he was attacked for his numerous trips abroad, all paid for by special interest groups. His wife is most often included in the luxury trips, also paid for by his special interest connections. Sensenbrenner tops the list for politicians accepting expensive trips - despite the fact he is one of Congress' most wealthy members.
The bad press seems to have Sensenbrenner worried too.
Since the beginning of the summer, he's spent more time in the district than he has at any time in the last four years. It could be longer, but no one was keeping track back then. It hasn't helped much, since glad-handing is hardly his strongpoint.
And perhaps the most telling sign that this race is heating up considerably is the fact that Sensenbrenner finally gave in and agreed to two candidate debates within the district.
As recently as three weeks ago, he had curtly dismissed the idea of debates in the district.
"This is typical Jim," Kennedy said at the time. "He travels around the country holding fake hearings that members of his own party and dozens of newspapers have denounced as a political stunt, but refuses to talk about issues with the people he is supposed to represent. Why does he think it's alright to ignore his own constituents?"
Apparently, Sensenbrenner has done some polling of his own and the results concern him.
Recent events aren't sitting well with constituents here in the Heartland either. Sensenbrenner may feel a lot of fallout if the heat stays on Republican leadership.
There is a great opportunity here in Wisconsin - a two for one special. Pick up a seat and oust one of the most hated radical Republicans in Washington.
Kennedy needs help though. Air time can be bought, but he needs a few more dollars to buy enough spots to be effective.
I know there are many worthy candidates out there and everyone's wallets are feeling bare, but a $10 or $20 contribution to Kennedy's campaign can go a long way here in Wisconsin. Contributions can be made through Kennedy's website, or if you want to make me look good, you can contribute through the Act Blue page I started yesterday.