Gracing Vermont TV screens in recent days on behalf of Republican U.S. House candidate has been Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain, telling Vermonters she will be an independent voice in Congress. "It takes a tough person to be independent," he says. Rainville proved her independence by standing up for the Green Mountain Boys headed to Afghanistan, he says.

Starting today on Vermont radio airwaves, Liz Jeffords and Marcelle Leahy, wives of Vermont's two U.S. senators, make their pitch for Democrat Peter Welch. They say Welch is the one they are convinced can carry on Vermont's tradition of independence. "Republicans in Washington have shown they aren't interested in listening to moderate voices like Jim's anymore, "Liz Jeffords says. "We trust Peter to carry on Vermont's tradition of leadership and independence."

Is anybody winning the battle of independence?

- Terri Hallenbeck