Pop quiz. Which famous politician had this to say about John McCain?

"I think the guy calls 'em as he sees 'em, and as president would call 'em as he sees 'em, and would make people mad all over the place because it wouldn't fit anybody's playbook."

Need another hint? How about this quote from the same politician:

"(T)he notion that somehow (McCain) is going to get in there and be some kind of ideological Newt Gingrich right-winger is a joke. There's no way that he would do that."

And here's one more:

"He is not a guy who wants to be chummy-chummy with political leaders of the party. He doesn't like that sort of constraint. He's an independent."

Give up? That famous politician is none other than our very own, very Democratic Wisconsin U.S. senator, Russ Feingold.

Looks like someone deleted his Barack Obama talking points.

Admittedly, Feingold is on the record as an Obama backer. But if John McCain could be good enough for Russ Feingold, why couldn't John McCain be good enough for Wisconsin?

McCain is poised to win Wisconsin. He possesses the independence in spirit, demeanor and ideological positions that folks in the Badger State will respond to favorably if they're fair-minded about seriously weighing the two major party candidates.

At a time when politicians are running from ideological labels now more than ever, the proven independence of John McCain is likely to be welcomed.

After all, isn't that how Russ Feingold continues to be a popular politician who sails to re-election, drawing support from all sides despite coupling a liberal voting record with an unwillingness to always toe the Democratic Party line?

Wisconsin is the same state that elected a Republican attorney general in 2006 -- the year that just about anyone with a D next to his or her name got a free pass.

This is the same state that bucked conventional wisdom to elect two conservative justices in a row. The same state that boosted a Libertarian named Ed Thompson to national prominence. The same state that repeatedly re-elects the nation's first open lesbian congresswoman. The same state that birthed the Republican Party -- and was home to Fighting Bob' LaFollette.

Wisconsin is an independent state that likes its mavericks and underdogs.

But it won't be easy. Obama enjoys an average 7-point lead in the most recent public polling in Wisconsin. That is a comfortable place to be, but the numbers are tightening and it's doubtful that this Obama lead in the polls is going to last.

Also at this time, it remains to be seen how much of a bump both candidates will enjoy after their respective national conventions and VP announcements.

And ultimately, McCain's own worst enemy may end up being himself. Barack Obama has the appearance of a much stronger campaign apparatus, and plenty of Wisconsin Republicans feel that McCain truly isn't one of them. McCain doesn't enjoy the type of adoration that gets Obama supporters swooning.

Yet John McCain is not McSame' or Bush 44. Voters will see past those overly simplistic labels.

An anecdote: I encountered McCain in 2004, when he was in Madison stumping for George W. Bush's re-election.

McCain moved freely without handlers, walking from the Inn on the Park to the Wisconsin Historical Society for different events. Along the way, he walked right up to a handful of protesters, shook some hands, engaged them in conversation, listened to what they had to say and generally took them seriously.

It was a small but telling moment. John McCain is open to working through ideological differences. Russ Feingold backs up that assertion.

Only one question remains: will Wisconsin show the same open-minded attitude?

Chris Lato leads the political affairs practice at Avicom Marketing Communications, which has offices in Waukesha and Milwaukee and Montville, N.J. He is a regular contributor to Wispundits.com and can be reached at chris.lato@avicomdirect.com. He is the former communications director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.