The Senate's only genuine civil libertarian is in trouble:
Senator Russ Feingold, the Wisconsin Democrat locked in a tough re-election contest, raised less money during July and most of August than his main Republican challenger, Ron Johnson.
Mr. Feingold's campaign said Thursday that it raised more than $900,000 from July 1 to Aug. 25, while Mr. Johnson reported collecting a shade under $1.2 million during that same period.
Nate Silver shows Feingold with a slim 3-point lead over his opponent at the moment.
Feingold's campaign is being looked at as a bellwether for a Republican takeover of the Senate, but his loss would be even more significant to those concerned about issues of excessive government power in matters of surveillance, secrecy, and due process.
