DFLers in the 3rd Congressional District this week received a flier questioning the DFL soul of Ashwin Madia, who day by day comes closer to winning the party's endorsement to run against Republican Erik Paulsen for the seat being vacated by Jim Ramstad. In the flier, it's noted that Madia was a supporter of John McCain for President in 2000 and Bob Dole in 1996. Madia, 30,  doesn't deny he is a used-to-be-moderate Republican. But he says he's become true blue, leaving the GOP for good in 2002. As a Marine officer, he voted for John Kerry in 2004 and worked on many DFL campaigns in 2006.

Said Madia spokesman Chris Truscott of the Bonoff flier: "Bonoff headquarters must feel like the Titanic with the band playing until the very end. Sad.''