Less than a week till the election. Since we know that all politics is personal, we’ve slipped NPR’s accountant a mickey, stolen some of the Kroc money and ramped up our political desk. As such, we humbly toss a few stories into 2006’s midterm political stew.

Just in from Michael Slenske, a reporter who considers all things war for SMITH — The Vet Factor: Does Fighting in Iraq Make You Fit for Office? Slenske asked all six recent war vets how their personal war experience fuels their desire to hold office. Three responded, two Ds, one R.

Coincidentally, just as we published this story, one of Slenske’s own sources, Joe Trippi, was expounding on NPR’s Morning Edition about another topic we’re hot for: technology’s influence in this election. For this we turn to Tate Hausman’s The Campaignster, a chicken’s-eye look at tech’s effect on a political campaign from a guy soaking in it. In his latest dispatch, Mark Foley even shows up.

Finally, Zack Pelta-Heller recalls a harrowing Brush With Fame: serving drink after drink to drunk GOP pirates. Don’t try this at home.

If you’re coming to us via AlterNet or elsewhere — welcome! This is our story. What’s yours?