If you live in the Second District – which includes a big chunk of southeastern Minnesota and the south/southeast metro areas – you are lucky.

Politically, anyway.  No, I have little desire to move to Eagan, and none for Lakeville.

But you have John Kline in the House.  He’s solid, He’s generally conservative.

And he’s safe.  Even the Democrats realize that Steve Sarvi isn’t much more than a warm body to put on the ballot; while he has lower negatives than the insane Colleen Rowley, I also suspect he’ll garner less fundraising from outside-the-district wackjobs.

Indeed, it seems to be an issue:

“Critics say Sarvi isn’t perceived as a threat in the race, with party officials targeting campaigns considered more competitive.

‘I haven’t seen any evidence that national Democrats are taking the race seriously — or on the local side,’ said Republican activist and blogger Michael Brodkorb.

Fundraising has been admittedly difficult so far, Sarvi said.

Let’s face it, CD2 Republicans; Kline’s seat is pretty well safe.  We needn’t be complacent, of course; y’all gotta work for the guy.  But barring some scandal favoring the Iraq veteran Sarvi – say, someone discovers that Kline’s bio is faked and that he didn’t actually win four Legions of Merit, his Naval Commendation Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, and a Defense Superior Service Award, serve in Vietnam, serve as an aide to two Presidents and as pilot for Marine One, and have a son who has served as a chopper pilot in Iraq – y’all can most likely look forward to a couple more unchallenged years of good representation in Washington.

So when it comes time to do your political donations, how about peeling off a couple of bucks for where the party needs some help?

I’ve talked with both of the GOP’s “inner-city” candidates – CD5’s Barb Davis White and CD4’s Ed Matthews.  And while I’ve supported all of the GOP’s candidates in both of these offices, I don’t believe I’m disparaging any of them in saying that Barb and Ed are the best couple of candidates we’ve seen for these offices in a long time.  They’re both sharp, articulate, with that combination of solid conservative beliefs and keen understanding of their communities that it’ll take to many any inroads in their districts.

Because let’s face it; while this state has been flirting with being “purple” and on the ragged brink of voting “red” for a decade now, we’ll never really flip this state until we can make a contest of the Fourth and Fifth Districts.

And don’t forget the Republicans running down-ticket from the Congressional candidates!  We have a decent shot of taking back some of the House seats we lost in ’06, and flipping a few RINO seats to actual conservative control.  They need your help too.

If you’re a GOP activist and perennial volunteer, you’re probably used to – and tired of – hearing that every campaign is do or die, make or break, the big one.  Fact is, the only places where Republicans can relax are in places like Utah – where Republicans win everything – or Malibu, where we’ll never make a showing.

Everywhere else?  It’s a battle.  Every two years.