Obama to Hold Biggest Rally Since 2008, Sen. Feingold Will Skip It

Today Obama tries to resurrect the old magic with a big rally in Madison, WI, but WI Senator Russ Feingold, who is running for his political life, will not attend:

Democratic Party Chairman Timothy Kaine says he sees no slight in Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold skipping a campaign rally tonight where President Barack Obama is appearing on his behalf.

Kaine tells CBS's "The Early Show" that candidates "make their own decisions about these things." And Kaine, a former Virginia governor, says Feingold understands that Obama can energize the party's base.

Kaine says Obama is appealing particularly to college-age youths to become more active in the mid-term elections, saying "we just need to make them aware of the importance of these elections." Obama's standing in public opinion polls has been falling in recent months, and some Democratic candidates have been reluctant to appear with him.

Trying to get the youth vote is a wasted effort...always is. No matter how desperate the pleas from the candidates only a small percentage of the youth will actually show up on election day. It's been that way for decades. They could be at a rally today and still not show up to vote tomorrow.

As far as Feingold's decision not to attend, he knows Obama is political poison to many of the people of Wisconsin he needs if he's to retain his seat (and he won't).  While it might be temporarily satisfying to stand next to the president in front of a cheering mob, Feingold knows it won't help his candidacy.