But with the 2004 election less than a year away, I need to ask for your help again. As you may already know, my likely opponents are determined to spend their personal wealth to blanket the state with misleading messages.

When millionaire car dealer Russ Darrow was asked why he entered the Senate race, he answered that he was running because he "can afford to," and he's already put $455,000 of his own money into his campaign.

Another possible opponent, Tim Michels, has already contributed $250,000 of his own money to his Senate race. His recent statement that "we don't want to lose this race because of money" suggests that he's willing and able to put in as much money as he deems necessary to win.

As you probably know, I'm not a wealthy man. Truth be told, I may be the least wealthy member of the United States Senate.

But that shouldn't matter. I will continue, as I have in the past, to focus on the issues:

• The vital importance of focusing on international terrorist organizations and continuing to question the Bush Administration's confused attempt to justify its Iraq policy as central to the fight against terrorism
• The threats to our civil liberties under the USA Patriot Act
• The loss of manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin
• The rising cost of health care for families and businesses
• The soaring budget deficit, which threatens Social Security and Medicare
• The unfair and unwise Bush tax cuts

But since having enough resources is an important part of any senatorial campaign, I have to ask you again for your financial support.

Your contribution right now -- $50, $100, $500, $1,000 -- whatever you can afford will help us to make sure Wisconsinites know my position on these critical issues.

I've shown that you don't need a millionaire's bank account to run an effective Senate race in Wisconsin.

We don't need slick television and radio ads that only tell half the story. We don't need misleading mass mailings like the one the Wisconsin Republican Party recently mailed questioning my patriotism because I had the audacity to disagree with President Bush's dangerous disregard of our Constitutional freedoms.

I have always presented my record directly to the people of Wisconsin, holding listening sessions in all of Wisconsin's 72 counties, by responding to voter's concerns at these listening sessions, and by honestly, positively, and clearly explaining my positions in all of our campaign communications, from television to direct mail.

To make sure that we can effectively spread our positive message and fight back against the negative attacks of our opponents, all my campaign needs are loyal supporters like you. It cannot be done without your help. Please donate online right now at: http://www.russfeingold.org/contribute.php. Or mail your check to: Feingold Senate Committee, P.O. Box 620062, Middleton, WI 53562. Or call us at (608) 831-RUSS.

With high hopes,

Russ Feingold United States Senator

P.S. And yes, it's true. If you've heard the rumors that White House political director Karl Rove has put Wisconsin on his list of four states he'd like to "take out before Labor Day" and that he plans to visit Milwaukee in December to raise money for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, that's another reason to send a gift to the Feingold Senate Committee. Thank you very much.

P.S. Please ask your friends to join you in supporting my campaign, by contributing, volunteering, signing up for email updates, or allowing me to list their name publicly as a supporter. Just send them the following link: http://www.russfeingold.org/email.php.

Contribute: http://www.russfeingold.org/contribute.php
Volunteer: http://www.russfeingold.org/volunteer.php
Sign up for email updates: http://www.russfeingold.org/email.php

Please note: Individuals may contribute a maximum of $2,000 for the primary and $2,000 for the general elections. That's a total limit of $4,000 ($8,000 per couple) for the 2004 election cycle. Your contribution is not tax deductible. Corporate contributions are prohibited. You must be at least 18 years old to contribute.