In Wisconsin, career politician Russ Feingold’s desperate attempts to cast himself as a “maverick” continue to fall flat as voters reject his rubberstamp support for President Obama’s unpopular partisan agenda.  National Journal’s Hotline On Call reports:

Democrats are increasingly concerned about Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., whose poll numbers are rapidly turning south. Feingold has always run close races, but his reputation as an independent is a solid brand in a state that has a long history of electing progressives who don’t always vote with their party. This year, though, that reputation has been undermined. Voters no longer see the maverick they have elected for three terms; instead, Feingold is just another Democrat, one who voted for the mammoth stimulus package and for health care reform. Businessman Ron Johnson (R) has run ads focusing almost exclusively on labeling Feingold a career politician who voted in favor of runaway government spending. In this political climate, that has proven to be an effective message.