President Obama is in Wisconsin today to speak at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, allegedly in support of Sen. Russ Feingold’s struggling campaign, but once again Feingold is a no-show (he’s “working” in Washington). And once again, Feingold and friends expect us to believe it has nothing to do with President Obama’s dismal approval rating in the Badger State:

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.

If the party Kaine is referring to is the Republican Party, then he’s exactly right, Feingold definitely understands that. It’s almost impossible to imagine Democrats Senators “making their own decisions” like this two years ago. How much has changed.

Speaking of “change,” The Wisconsin State Journal marks Obama’s visit today with an editorial — “Wisconsin Still Waiting For Change” — that pretty much sums up why Feingold might have chosen to stay in Washington:

President Barack Obama promised Wisconsin and the nation a new direction two years ago during his history-making campaign.
So far, he has failed to deliver.
Washington remains mired in partisan, ideological squabbles.
The economy is sluggish, and stubborn unemployment remains high.
Our nation’s debt is soaring out of control, with little to show for all of the stimulus money spent.
In short, Wisconsin is still waiting for change – and losing hope that it’s coming.
When Obama visits Madison today for a campaign rally on the UW-Madison campus, he should offer renewed focus on getting things done. Rhetorical jabs at the Republicans won’t cut it.

That would be a refreshing change.