What the hell is wrong with this country when we continue to allow the squandering of goodwill in the world? When we allow an arrogant administration and the party that backs it, walking in lock step with it, to weaken our position as leading example for the world?

And why, why, why, is a former leader of the former Soviet Union a far better spokesman for reason, democracy and freedom than the current president of the United States?

Today there was a very good interview with Mikhail Gorbachev on CNN International. It was interesting to hear a reasoned international figure talking about the arrogance of the United States right now. It was clear that he wasn't talking about the country as a whole, but the Bush administration. Despite that, it was also clear that much of the world is beginning to tire of trying to discern the difference.

For many people in other countries, that's a relief.

While a lot of there's a lot of talk of ethics and other reform from Democratic leaders, for much of the world the results of this election mean that George W. Bush will find his power reined in. And that, many believe, will make this a safer world.

Kennedy showed more of the refinement he's gained during this campaign cycle. His message was short and simple - "We can win this if we keep working hard."

He's right too...we can win this if we keep working hard.

Enough of that kind of talk already. This is no time to cower, worry and fret about what the Republicans are planning or what Karl Rove might have up his sleeve.

I'll tell you what he has up his sleeve - an arm. That's it, that's all. And what the Republicans are planning is to use their well-developed infrastructure and strong GOTV program.

Well, guess what?

We have a strong GOTV program too and we have an active infrastructure. We just need to work hard and not give up either hope, or our beliefs that Democrats will do a better job of governing than the Republicans will ever do.

With those words serving as a headline, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel today strongly endorsed Democrat Bryan Kennedy in his race to unseat incumbent Jim Sensenbrenner in Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District.  Chronicling the many times Sensenbrenner has been "an obstructionist to good policy," the paper argued that Kennedy would "restore a sense of dignity and balance" to the district.

"I am very pleased to receive such a strong endorsement from Wisconsin's largest paper," Kennedy said.  "After nearly 30 years in Congress, Jim Sensenbrenner has become corrupted by the big money interests in Washington and has failed to stand up for the people he's supposed to represent.  I'm glad that the Journal-Sentinel realizes that I will fight for the people of Wisconsin's 5th district."

The endorsement can be viewed here.

So, before the lights go up - while everybody's looking good - how's about you buy a few guys some drinks? Or rather, how's about you buy a few guys some ad time, or a last direct mailing?

Let me propose a little Wisconsin threeway...ummm...threesome...er...

What I mean is, let me suggest three guys in Wisconsin that could really use some financial help. Gov. Jim Doyle (WI-Gov), Steve Kagen (WI-8), and Bryan Kennedy(WI-5). All three are in need of money - for some of the same reasons and for different reasons as well.

The beer and bubbly is being bought - the caterers called. Balloons are being ordered. In short, us Democrats are getting ready to party. In a couple of weeks, we're all hoping - many of us planning - on waking up to see Democrats taking control of the House and maybe even the Senate.

It's hard to not feel the enthusiasm in the air. After all, many polls aren't just breaking our way, they're crashing our way in a torrent. Even the MSM has started touting a Democratic landslide.

But, there's one publication calling it differently - Barron's is predicting Republicans will lose seats but still hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate.

And maybe it's a good reminder that we all have more work to do to ensure this election doesn't slip through our fingers.

But it's been done.

So instead, I want to talk about this:

Good, bad, or just amazing?

Who cares. This is maybe the biggest full-scale attack on the curruption of this Congress and this administration.

But, on Nov. 7, 2006, my alarm will be set for 6 a.m. and the coffee will be made at 6:15. By 6:25, I'll be finishing my second cup and hurriedly pouring a third for the road. All this because I need to be at the West Bend campus of the Milwaukee Area Technical College - my local polling place.

I'll have to be there all day and into the night. Polls close at 8 p.m. and I'll be there to help turn out the lights.

It's hard to believe the Republicans are falling apart at the seams.

The headlines seem to indicate it. The scandals seem to be helping it. We're all praying for it. But, it's hard to believe it could finally be happening.

I know that I've been a bit skeptical too. After all, I'm in James Sensenbrenner's district (WI-5) and that would make anyone a tad pessimistic, believe me.

But, a breath of fresh air is swirling here in Wisconsin and his name is Bryan Kennedy. If you haven't yet, you should check him out. If you like what you see...slide him some money.

But this isn't just a campaign plug...it's a loud, ringing cry of joy...

Most of us have seen his meltdown during Judicial Committee hearings where he gavelled the meeting close and stormed out in the middle of testimony. Many of us here in Wisconsin know about his even more abrasive manner when he holds public town hall meetings.

Now's the time to make him stand on his own merits - or lack thereof - and answer questions in a less friendly atmosphere.

He's been sweating of late as his approval rating has crashed along with the rest of his party brethren and now is the time to turn up the heat a bit more.

Is that a giant, frosted mug lighting up the night?

It is indeed. That's the mighty beer beacon calling all Kossacks to action!

And what do Kossacks do when there's a mighty need? They slam the rest of their beer and jump into the breach. And this is why we're going to take back this country and start the hard work of rebuilding what's been wantonly trampled by an out-of-control administration and an enabling Congress.

Last week, I had a little idea about how I could afford to send some more money to a worthy candidate, Bryan Kennedy (WI-5), who is in a tough battle with the much despised James Sensenbrenner. I realized that if I drank one less beer than I wanted to when I went out, I could donate $5 to Kennedy's campaign for every beer I didn't drink.

It seemed like a pretty good plan and I shared it with the DKos world hoping that maybe someone would find it inspiring enough to maybe kick a couple bucks in and try something similar for their own candidate.

$266 dollars later, I'm left in awe of the generosity of this online community.

The refrain is getting ever more intense as October keeps rolling on.

But what if you're tapped out? Many of us feel dry - like we're at the bottom of the barrel. There's not a drop left. It's a sad sight, but what can you do?

Well, there I was, pulling on my favorite red and white "WISCONSIN - You're Among Drunks" tee shirt and getting ready to head down to my favorite pub, when it hit me. I've been drinking my donations.

Now wait minute! It won't do to be hasty. Maybe - I quickly told myself - that's not the case. Surely it couldn't be true. Could it?

I worriedly checked my finances and had to gulp. Yup, sure enough, I have been drinking my donations. What a heel. How could I possibly drink now that the truth was out? How could I ever make this okay?

Then it hit me.  

With the Foley fallout effecting races across the country, many Democrats are finding themselves with a suddenly energized base and Republicans are finding tough questions being leveled at them.

Wisconsin is a prime example of the corrosive effects of the Foley scandal starting to eat at Republican incumbents. In the WI-5 House race, Democratic challenger Bryan Kennedy has thrown out a challenge to James Sensenbrenner - come clean, or appear dirty.

Just look at candidates like Ned Lamont in Connecticut and you can see just how big netroots support can be. Twenty years ago, a campaign like Lamont's would have been buried before the primary.

That was before the power of many individuals pulling together over the internet was begun to be harnessed. And the power is awesome indeed. But it's not just the big names that are feeling the benefit.

Out here in Wisconsin, Bryan Kennedy (WI-5) has been quietly building big momentum. Kennedy has pulled within striking distance of James Sensenbrenner and is looking to remove one of the most abrasive and radical legislators from Congress.

He's done it with a combination of solid ideas and old fashioned door-to-door work. And people are starting to take notice.

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.

Sadly, that's not so.

Bryan Kennedy has been running a good old fashioned grassroots campaign against Sensenbrenner out here in Wisconsin and he's been running on door-to-door handshakes and face-to-face requests for people's votes.

That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland; but
even birds, carrying maps and consulting them at windy corners, could not have sighted it with these instructions.  Peter, you see, just said anything that came into his head.

That sort of reminds me of the Bush administration's plans for...well, everything. At least you could believe Peter Pan knew where he was going and the only things dying with him in charge were Pirates and giant, clock-eating crocodiles.

Sometimes it takes something in your own back yard to remind you that something stinks in Washington...