I replaced the light bulb. still did not work.
Had my wife step on the brake, and eventually the light would turn on, and when it came on it stayed on good.
she would let off the brake, then press it again, and no power to the bulb. I woudl fiddle with the connectors (pushing down on them hard, etc), and the light would come back on.

Since the bulb eventually gets power, can I rule out the fuses?
The connections seem very solid, no corrossion or anything. what is my next step? is there some way to pop off that whole assembly and see where the wires connect from the underside? I looked in the trunk and there didn't seem any easy to way to do that.
Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
thanks!