Why not Feingold for VP?

[redsoxrudy]

I cannot for the life of think of why Russ Feingold wasn't at least included on the VP short list. Yes he will be vilified for being to liberal but, that criticism is going to happen no matter who is put in the VP slot. He is a popular Senator from a swing state. Wisconsin was very close in 2004 in the Presidential race but Russ won the state by a larger margin than Kerry did. He also would fit into the message of change and bi-partisanship, though very liberal he will work with Repubs when it does not compromise his core principals. In the beginning of W's first term before his appointees were exposed as the incompetent crooks that they are Russ voted to approve even hard fought cabinet positions. Saying the president should be able to have his people working for him. Later on he fought the retreads like Condi and Alberto after they had shown their disdain for the rule of law. So somebody please explain why Russ isn't at least in the running. The only thing I can think of is that he is recently divorced and there is dirt on him from that. However when he won reelection in 2004 it was either during or right after his divorce and I'm sure they would have used any dirt they had on him. Most press reports said it was an amicable divorce. So what gives?

[LSparkle]

1. I love Feingold but hasn't he been divorced twice?

Not that both weren't amicable but ... just wondering since I thought
I'd heard that.

[dragonlady]

8. Yes, that's true

But the same can be said for Jim Webb. I think anybody who wouldn't vote for an otherwise excellent candidate because of that wouldn't vote for the candidate anyway.

Another factor in favor of Russ is that having a Jew on the ticket would balance out Joe Lieberman when McCain chooses him. Robert Wexler, another possibility who has been mentioned, could also fill that role.

[LSparkle]

9. We need Feingold in the Senate -- Wexler would be GREAT ...

He's got the same feisty spirit as Feingold (could fill the
ATTACK DOG shoes of a VP candidate), he's been very involved
with election issues ... and he'd be a great help in Florida
(which continues to be a critical state).

[Captain Hilts]

2. I wanted him for President - still do! nt

[hokies4ever]

3. It's clear he doesn't want to be V.P.

judging by how he didn't even consider running for President. He seemed to be personally opposed to the job and loves his job in the Senate.

[elocs]

6. Feingold has said he would consider being a VP running mate:

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2006/11/21/news...

Although it is not from the last 5 minutes, but from November of 2006:

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold admitted Monday he’d have to seriously think about it if asked to be a presidential running mate.

Even if Feingold is willing I do not see him bringing anything much needed to the ticket. On a selfish note, I kind of like keeping him as my senator and I am sure he will be reelected here for as long as he wants to run.

[Forkboy]

4. He'd be my first pick if it was up to me.

Which it isn't.

[TBF]

5. I'm a fan but he probably has his own reasons for not running. If he were interested

or thought he could pass the vetting I would think he would've run for president. It's been awhile since I lived in Wisconsin, but my 65-yr old mother in the Fox River Valley reports that she voted for Obama in the primary and is looking forward to the election. She thinks Wisconsin will go dem again because the economy is so bad.

[newmajority]

7. Two senators on the ticket = McLoon landslide

Doesn't matter whether it's Feingold or Feinstein.

But for the record, I like Feingold a Hell of a lot more.

[Voltaire99]

10. Not included because out-of-step with the corporate, war-mongering party leaders.

Russ is a gem, but then so is Dennis, and so was Paul Wellstone.

Gems don't go far in today's party for reasons that are less than mysterious. The party is consecrated to serving corporate power and operating the same war economy that the GOP does. Hence the loathsome right wing Lieberman as Gore's pick. Or the lobbyist's friend, John Kerry, prancing around like GI Joe, all gung ho to fight the exciting Iraq war, in 2004.

In what way could Russ or Dennis (or Paul, RIP) be of use to such goals? They're tolerated, but each is kept on a very short leash. And they will never, ever rule.