What do you think of Russ Feingold?

[Onlooker]

As someone who is very reluctantly turning away from Hillary, I'm beginning to find Russ Feingold interesting. He seems to be quite liberal, very consistent, genuinely honest, voted against the Patriot Act and opposed the Iraq War, and he's running a fledgling campaign for President. I don't know much more about him. Has anyone heard him speak or debate? Why isn't his effort to run for president being taken more seriously? Or is it?

[ThomWV]

1. It Will ...... in 2016

NT

[bpilgrim]

2. i tell all my friends about him

especially my conservative friends ;->

peace

[FreedomAngel82]

54. How do they reply about him?

[bpilgrim]

83. they never heard of him...

hopefully they will keep an ear out ;->

peace

[hippiechick]

3. ... because it's only 2006.

He's still in exploratory mode, as are the rest of the 'candidates'.
There are several message boards and groups related to a Draft Russ movement, and he's also got 2 sites of his own for press releases, speech archives, etc. Do a google.

He was my Senator the last year I lived in WI, and several of my classmates at UW were campaign volunteers for him so I met him in passing. He's the real deal.

I'd like to see him serve at least 1 term as Vice Pres before he jumps off the deep end, though, to increase his name/face recognition, and to give him a little more clout on the Hill.

But if he does run for President in 08 (and Gore doesn't) ... I'm behind him, all the way.


:hi:

[im10ashus]

5. I've liked what I've seen of him.

He was opposed to the war, and that's one reason I admire him. :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

55. And the only senator to vote against the "Patriot Act"

[Karmadillo]

4. Leading Democrats resent his tendency to take positions

that could benefit a majority of the American people. A Feingold run for Presidency might offend the Plutocracy and create a Crisis of Democracy. A potentially dangerous man. Here's an interview from a few years ago.

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Politicians/Russ_Feingold.html

<edit>

Q: Why is the DLC dominating?

Feingold: I think it's because the Democratic Party decided that corporatizing was a way to help with fundraising, especially in an era of soft money. It allowed the Democratic Party, in their view, to blunt some of the issues, like trade, that were causing problems with, frankly, the larger moneyed interests. And the ultimate example of that was the coronation of Gore in Los Angeles. That convention was a corporate trade show. It was nothing like the Democratic conventions of the past. So I see the DLC as, to some extent, taking the soul away from the Democratic Party. And I see the DLC as having sold American workers down the river. I oppose GATT, and NAFTA, and all the things Clinton and Gore were for. When we lose our commitment to opposing something as manifestly wrong as the death penalty, I'm very uncomfortable with that.

Q: Can a progressive get the nomination?

Feingold: I think so. What it would require is somebody who had a lot of students and young people involved, traditional progressives, labor people, women. There is a coalition there. I think it can happen. The conventional wisdom is that you'll do well in Iowa and New Hampshire, but then you're going to get it somewhere else. That's not what I felt in North Carolina. That's not what I felt in Texas in Austin. That's not what I felt in Michigan in Ann Arbor. And I know those are the more liberal parts. But let's face it: Those are the places that have a lot of influence in the primaries. So I think it's untrue that a genuinely progressive candidate couldn't win the nomination. It would depend in part on whether labor leaders decided they had to go with the DLC candidate or if they'll fight for their members and go with someone who has a more progressive trade policy.
This is a time of great anxiety, and that's tragic. But it means it's a time of real political change that can, in theory, occur. And we should seize the moment.

Q: Many progressive issues are popular ones, like the minimum wage and health care.

Feingold: I do think there would be a receptivity to somebody who campaigned in a straightforward, cohesive way, supporting an increase in the minimum wage, being for universal health care for all Americans, and opposing trade agreements like NAFTA.
Health care is still the number-one issue out there. Someone who seizes it, I think, will do very well in an election. Let's face it: Clinton's two big issues were the middle class tax cut, which he dropped, wisely, at the time to help reduce the deficit, and health care. That's what he ran on.

[bpilgrim]

7. a crisis in the Plutocracy

and that is why i like him. we need to shake up the establishment before it gets us all killed.



peace

[flpoljunkie]

23. Establishment Dems do resent him, as well as John Kerry and now, no doubt

John Edwards, with his progressive populist agenda. They, along with Wes Clark, I might add, are not on the DLC's Al From's list of "our candidates"--Hillary Clinton, Tom Vilsack, Mark Warner and Evan Bayh--listed in that order in a late October, 2005, C-Span Washington Journal appearance by From.

I must say though I admire Iowa's Tom Vilsack for giving ex-felons the right to vote, despite opposition-a principled and courageous move.

[stray cat]

26. Establishment doesn't like talk about ethics in government

Reformers like Feingold endanger the perks of the established politicians. They don't like anyone who threatens their power by having campaign finance reform or eliminating personal pork barrel projects

[flpoljunkie]

29. No truer words ever spoken!

[deutsey]

6. What I know of him I like and respect

I'm interested in him running in '08 as well.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Russ is very sharp in debate.

I've met him on a few occasions & heard him speak on several. He carried Wisconsin by 10 points more than Kerry, meaning he pulled in a lot of Bush votes. There were even houses with Bush and Feingold signs in the yards. He's his own man; he sometimes does things on principle that most people don't agree with. Voting for Ashcroft and other unsavory Puggy executive appointments, for one example.

I don't think he'll get the big bux behind him & the national press won't find him "interesting" enough to cover. That is to say, he's too honest & Big Money ain't gonna let the people find out about him. They'll "Dean Scream" him or something to get him out of the race.

According to the conventional widom Russ' two biggest political problems are 2 divorces (still single after the last one) & being a Jew. Personally, I don't think anybody who would vot against him on either count is gonna vote for a liberal anyway.

[FreedomAngel82]

56. I think with Feingold

on getting the big bux it depends I think on who supports him. Perhaps if someone like Kerry or Warner come out and support him he could get some big fundraising. Even if Hillary jumps on the Russ bandwagon after he wins. I think that Dean showed another way of raising money during his campaign through the internet and everything. I think him being divorced will be more of a problem then him being a Jew. He might be asked question's dealing with Israel or something but I think he'll do fine. And lots of republicans have divorces. Didn't Lindsay Graham cheat on his wife when she was going through cancer? At least he divorced and didn't stay in a marriage that wasn't true and all that. Plus, I think it would be neat to have a bachelor in the White House again (the only other one has been John Buchanan). I wonder what he'd do for a first lady though (I'd like to take that spot *giggles*).

[Blue Belle]

98. Well if its a matter of him being divorced...

I'd be willing to be a team player and marry him.... and not just because he's handsome and intelligent - It's because I love this country that much. (okay.. I can't even type that with a straight face... it's the hot and smart thing uber alles).

:+

[smoogatz]

73. Good points.

As a Wisconsin resident and bigtime fan of Feingold, I enjoyed watching him eviscerate Tim Michels, his idiot wingnut opponent in the '04 election. Russ is very sharp, and seems genuinely committed to reforming "bidness as usual" in D.C. He also voted right on the patriot act (the only Senator to do so, I believe), right on the authorization, and right on the supplemental--exactly the opposite of Kerry, Edwards and Hillary. He's principled, smart, plain spoken (a rare quality in a Senator) and a true progressive. He'd have my vote and my enthusiastic support if he ran in '08.

Re the divorces--the press will make a big deal of them, I'm sure. We can gently remind them that a Republican was, in fact, the first divorced President.

[Jackpine Radical]

86. Oh, yeah. I saw him kick Michels around in a debate

at UW Eau Claire. BTW, check out the Wisconsin forum here.

And--out of curiosity--where are you at? I'm in the Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire area.

[adriennui]

9. he's 98% on our issues

but unfortunately i'm not sure if the US will elect a jewish president....this is a reality. we can skirt the issue ad nauseum but many americans of different religions, ethnicities, and races would never vote for a russ feingold, barbara boxer, or frank lautenberg.

this issue i believe is the elephant in the living room (BTW,i'm jewish).

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[immoderate]

16. Hi and welcome to DU.

For while you're here.:hi:

--IMM

[senatorwhitewater]

18. a candidate who can win.

In the spirirt of Feingold and 1st ammendment violations ala campaign finance reform, it looks as if I will be removed from the debates.

Please think with calmer heads and pick us a candidate who can win. I'm tired of these losers we keep drafting.

[stray cat]

20. Feingold won big in WI - even Bush voters voted for him

Bush wanted him out of office and made it his mission - but we in WI know Russ stands up for US! Common sense from Feingold whipped Bush's money machine.

The Midwest will get behind Feingold - not exactly a part of the country known for liberalism.

[FreedomAngel82]

58. You think Feingold is a loser?

LOL. So someone who actually cares about issues and isn't a fake cowboy is a loser? *snort* Why don't you do research on him?

[Lefty48197]

91. Why, that didn't take long now did it?

.

[zippy890]

19. wtf

'jews like you..'

:wtf:

[senatorwhitewater]

21. be positive.

self deprecating comments like "Americans won't vote for a jew" hurt this party more that you like to imagine.

We need to be strong, confident, and pick the best candidate regardless of race or religion.

It didn't matter for Joe L.

[zippy890]

28. be positive you say?

'senatorwhitewater' ?

[senatorwhitewater]

103. ??

not too zippy there.

My junior senator who can't find albany on the map. Could be dangerous with a Jerry Brown type on the ticket, but will probably pick someone from Dixie.

[FreedomAngel82]

57. We've had a Catholic president so why not?

Remember Kennedy?

[senatorwhitewater]

102. we need an American president.

We need to get off the race/religion issue. Its killing the party.

Besides, factually the nation is 1/4 Catholic vs 1% Jewish.

[Surya Gayatri]

10. Articulate & inspiring speaker, genuine

Dem principles, honest pol. Unfortunately, at least in the present state of social evolution, his single status and Jewishness would be a handicap. Personally, though,I love the guy. Heard him speak on an AAR show and was sincerely impressed. SG

[tomreedtoon]

106. I think his Jewishness would be a benefit.

You know that the Republicans would swift-boat him, helping to provide support to their old allies the Klan and other hate groups to come out against him. He could let these attacks go for a while, letting his staff document them - and then blast the Republicans with documented proof of their racist attacks.

He could then offer a few choice remarks about an America that used to accept all religions, all races and all kinds of lifes - that existed before the Bushies took power.

A lot of this depends on one factor, so far unproven to what I've seen - how does he hold up under fire? Will he wimp out like the last several Democratic candidates, or will he stand his ground? That's what I will be looking for among all the Democratic potential candidates.

[Surya Gayatri]

107. Good analysis, and as you say

the deciding factor will be "Can he take it"? He'll need the skin of an armadillo and an irreproachable background, as the Repubs will gear up their whole formidable arsenal against him. SG

[HereSince1628]

11. Feingold is my senator, one of the few senators that reads and thinks

He does get good marks as a social liberal. He isn't what I would call a strong partisan, he goes his own way based on his principles. Currently that usually places him strongly at odds with the completely unprincipled Cheney puppet theater.

[gizmo1979]

13. Went to his listening session yesterday

what do you want to know?While it's still fresh in my mind.

[flpoljunkie]

25. What did he talk about? Or rather, how did he respond to questions.

[gizmo1979]

31. Medicare and the privacy issues were big.

On Medicare he said they had the votes to change it but can't get it to the floor.He said Bushs defense of wiretapping is chilish and a joke.

[FreedomAngel82]

59. I think in 2008 that will be a big issue

Seniors are aware of what are going on with medicare and other people. It sucks all over the country so I think Feingold can do really well with that issue. He has a wide range of issues to choose from in 2008. I think it will be more about issues that effect people (like education, health care, social security etc) instead of abortion and gay marriage. I'm sure the republicans will try to have that in but hopefully won't be successful. I think if Feingold was going to ever run for president 2008 will be the perfect time for him.

[gizmo1979]

76. I hope so.

we could use an honest politician.

[MadisonProgressive]

14. Gore/Feingold 2008!

Campaign slogan ala Emily Litella: ....never mind...

[rusty_parts2001]

15. He's one of the good guys in the Senate.

He never fails to be on point and articulate without a lot of theatrics.

[Gregorian]

47. That sounds really good.

I'm all over that.

(And to think that Gore was too right wing for me. How times change. And I think he's also changed. )

[Golden Raisin]

17. I'm very impressed so far.

Particularly with his forthright, vocal & public opposition to the so-called "Patriot" Act. He's bright, articulate and strong and we need more straight-shooters like him standing up to BushCo. I suspect his presidential aspirations will be quashed as there is still a great deal of anti-semitism in the USA. The country club set and the swiftboaters might tolerate a Jewish Congressman, Senator, Governor, or perhaps a Vice President, but not a President. I sincerely hope I'm wrong about this.

[JNelson6563]

22. I think he's great!

Rock on Russ! :yourock:

[TahitiNut]

24. "In the Land of the Blind, the one-eyed man is King."

Russ Feingold appears to demonstrate some attributes I'd like to think were common among elected representatives, but which are sadly far more rare than we should be able to expect. I really don't see him as very 'liberal' - merely somewhat left of center with a more fiscally responsible attitude than most. He's not as 'liberal' as Kennedy, and even Kennedy isn't any 'far left' Senator. (None of them are.) I do, however, see Feingold as having far more integrity than most of his co-workers. That's appallingly sad.

I've gotten to the point that I think (perhaps too skeptically) anyone seriously considered as an establishment candidate for President has, at least to some degree, made a "deal with the devil." I paid attention to what Kucinich said and found his positions to be very solidly in the liberal mainstream. I also saw his candidacy being torpedoed as "unelectable." What an absolutely sleazy way to attack a candidate! What does it really mean? It seems to mean the "establishment" doesn't have the goods on him -- that he's not bought. While Feingold is not as liberal as Kucinich, I don't doubt that the same kind of baseless attacks would be leveled at him. Unless the Margaret Thatchers of the world say "we can do business with him," I guess we're doomed to having only those candidates that're, at a minimum, just a "little corrupt" - like being a "little pregnant."

[Sam0724]

35. What do you know about Russ and his voting record?

I am bothered by the statement "I really don't see him as very 'liberal'..."

Take a look, he voted:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?vote_id=3399&can_id=S0972103

Russ voted against the war.

He voted against a resolution to rescind enforcement authority of ergonomics rules drafted by Labor Department during the Clinton Administration.

No to Bankruptcy Reform Bill

Yes to stop corporations from financing terrorism.

Yes to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.

No to CAFTA twice

Yes to condemning the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, urging a full and complete investigation

Yes on Health Care for Veterans Amendment

No to Religious Memorials at Schools Amendment

Not to mention women's rights, civil rights, education.... I could go on.

So, I am still left with the question, what's not liberal or progressive about Feingold?

Really, I understand cynicism, but I beg that you qualify your statement that he's "not very liberal" with some evidence.

[Jackpine Radical]

38. Welcome aboard, Sam.

And thanks for the hard data. Makes for a memorable first post.

[Sam0724]

50. Thanks. This thread prompted me to register. I am a big fan of his.

I will forever respect him for the stance he took on the USA PATRIOT Act vote.

However, if I ever meet him I will ask him where the hell he was when the black caucus was questioning the election results in 2000. That hurt.

[stray cat]

43. He is fiscally responsible and believes we need a strong defense

Both great things as far as I'm concerned. However, at DU those positions are often viewed as moderate - green party candidates are generally viewed as the true liberal.

I think Feingold falls into the category of a nationally electable progressive

[Vote NDP]

64. The only thing wrong with him...

He voted for the DMCA: But if my standards are that high, the only Presidential candidate I'd find acceptable is Bernie Sanders.

[stray cat]

67. Welcome to DU!

[TahitiNut]

79. While laudable, I don't see voting AGAINST fascism as 'leftist' ...

... merely integrity and all-too-rare political courage. Robert Byrd, for example, is a conservative Democrat - but someone with the courage and integrity of his opinions. Feingold partnered with McCain (NOT a 'liberal') on Campaign Finance Reform.

In my view, I assess the person's position on the political spectrum far more from their PROPOSALS than their DISPOSALS. When I compare Feingold's PROPOSALS with Kucinich's, for example, I see someone only a bit left of center.

[Sam0724]

87. Does the fact that he partnered with a non-liberal bothersome to you?

:shrug:

I mean, I personally see that as an asset; not a liability. We need to start to find common ground when and if possible and work to get things done. The divisiveness is beyond ridiculous. The parties of old would consider country first, party second. That's what we need. Not blindly following party lines (like repukes do), despite the absurdity of the issue.

Regarding his proposals...

Healthcare:
ALL AMERICANS DESERVE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
Feingold Proposal to Ensure Coverage and Bill to Force Action
http://www.russfeingold.org/health_care_proposal.php

Civil Liberties:
Senator Seeks to Curb Controversial "Patriot Act"
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0225-10.htm

The Death Penalty:
ABOLISHING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
http://www.russfeingold.org/death_penalty.php

Women's Issues:
EQUAL PAY, EQUAL RIGHTS, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
http://www.russfeingold.org/women.php

Veterans Issues:
Senator Feingold is proud to have the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-PAC
http://www.russfeingold.org/veterans.php

I see him a quite a bit left of center. Consistently and always from the heart.

[TahitiNut]

89. No, it doesn't. (Let's try not to get personal, OK?)

First and foremost (apparently to assuage a baseless concern), I'm a "fan" of Feingold. I support him and regard him as an honest person with whom I agree quite often. Got that? OK. Next, I'm an anti-partisan independent, not a "Democrat." I'm a liberal democrat. (I'd GLADLY support a Feingold/Kucinich ticket!)

So, the implication that I'm against Russ Feingold is false. False.

So, now for a question ...


Where do you put Russ Feingold on this graph?



Please don't belabor me with demeaning remarks about the Political Compass methodology. Until there's something better, I'll refer to it.

[Sam0724]

94. I wasn't getting personal. My apologies if it came off that way.

I took your post at face value; and you seemed to take issue with the fact that he partnered with a republican. I never got the impression that you were against Russ, but I think maybe you don't know him very well (again, not trying to get personal).

Please don't assume that I will retort with demeaning remarks about anything. I didn't and won't. But, I will defend Russ when someone questions his commitment and/or his "liberalness", I think he's as progressive as they come and I am proud to have him as my representative.

I don't know if he's ready for a shot at the presidency in '08. I know I sure would support him if he is. I am a constituent of his and I, like you, am a very liberal Democrat. I follow his issues and voting and campaign very closely, and I also tell him how I feel. I do this because I see his sincerity. That sincerity is not easy to come by these days.

[TahitiNut]

96. Thank you.

I personally regard phrases like "bothersome to you" as bordering on getting personal in the absence of my having said something to the effect that he "bothers me." It's an inference regarding my personal state of mind as opposed to something I've posted literally or an inference I've made. No big deal. It's all-too-common on DU.

Yes, I regard Feingold as haing personal character attributes that're becoming less and less common in the Senate. That's not to say they're absent on the right, however. While I don't regard Chuck Hagel as the sharpest knife in the Senate drawer, I think he's probably more sincere (honest) than the average. Same with Lincoln Chaffee. Less so, but still present with McCain.

I think it's sad (tragic!) that we cannot expect and demand such integrity from all elected officials!

I think a 'liberal' MUST be an advocate of National Health Care. The profiteering from human misery has become beyond abominable. I think a 'liberal' MUST be a proponent of a living wage, not just a below-poverty minimum wage. I think a 'liberal' MUST be an advocate of equal treatment regarding the civil definition of 'marriage' and adoption no matter what religious rites might exist. I think a 'liberal' MUST prohibit invasions of employee privacy by publicly-licensed and publicly-'owned'/traded businesses! (Violations of human rights by publicly-established and entitled businesses should be prohibited to the same extent as prohibited to governments that entitle them.) I think a 'liberal' MUST support the human right of privacy in ALL medical matters, including abortion!

I regard these as being the minimum requirements, and not at all comprehensive.

BTW ... Welcome to DU!! :hi:

[Sam0724]

97. Thank you for the welcome.

Thank you for pointing out the areas where you (and even I) disagree with Russ. Where you and I differ is that I still see him a real liberal.

Those are issues that can be researched and opinions can be formed based on his voting and public statements on each of the matters. In addition, during research, if a constituent (take me, for example) can call Russ or write to him and tell him how we feel about the issue and how our opinions differ from his. Like I mentioned upthread; I also question where he was for the Congressional Black Caucus during the 2000 election certification.

He's done a lot of good and his opinions on all of the above, while not ideal, are also not polar opposite of mine (and probably yours). I see the courage of being the sole vote against the USA PATRIOT Act and I love the way he's defended civil liberties.

[jackpan1260]

27. I like Feigold and Warner right now.

Even though they aren't on the same page about everything, they have a sincerity and straightforwardness that I find very appealing.

[kiteinthewind]

45. Warner may be genuine,

but he's not a fighter. He's one of the nice-nice gang, IMHO!
:dunce:

[FreedomAngel82]

61. For now anyways

He's not campaigning now so only Virginian's know I think how Warner would do. I'd love a Feingold/Warner or Warner/Feingold. Right now I think Warner is just introducing himself to people and not campaigning since the midterms are what we're to focus on.

[NJ Democrats]

30. Let's Go Russ!

He's is so great!

[stray cat]

32. Kick

[cascadiance]

33. I find it amazing that the same state turns out our best senator...

in Russ Feingold, and our worst congressman in Jim Sensenbrenner! How does that make sense! Those two couldn't be more polar opposites!

Have they been shown to work together much out of the Wisconsin delegation?

[stray cat]

34. There are some real conservative districts in WI

What is Sensenbreeners district? I've never heard of the two together in the same sentence but I don't know.

[Sam0724]

36. He's 5th Congressional District. Very red, lots of money....

And in the redistricting he cherry-picked the cream-of-the-crop areas of Waukesha and Milwaukee counties to best meet his "base".

[stray cat]

40. Thanks for the information

and any friend of Feingolds is a friend of mine - Welcome to DU!

[jane_pippin]

42. There are quite a few people who are pissed they got lumped into his

district though. I grew up in one of those spots that doesn't have a lot of money and got redistricted in. My friends who still live there would like nothing more than to see old Sensenbastard booted out.

[Sam0724]

49. Yes, I am a constituent of his. Sadly.

Working real hard to boot him out this year.

[jane_pippin]

51. I believe you'll have plenty of help with that.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[Sam0724]

52. I sure hope so.

:crossingfingers:

And, thanks! :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

62. Welcome to DU

Please kick him out. He pisses me off with how he treats John Conyers.

[Lefty48197]

93. Wisconsin is known as the "laboratory of democracy"

McCarthy and LaFollette both came from Wisconsin too.

[Sam0724]

37. Russ is the real deal.

[jane_pippin]

39. There's a nice profile of him in the Feb. Vogue magazine, of all places.

It's not a hard hitting interview or anything, but the article seems to explain him to people who aren't in Wisconsin and might not know much about him. I am in Wisconsin and I thought the article pretty much captured who he is and why we like him here. I can't find a link to the article at the moment--only the fashion stuff from Vogue shows up in a search.

[Armstead]

41. He walked his talk in his Senate campaign

When he was running for re-election as a Senator, he put very strict limits on what he would accept as campaign contributions to avoid taking large amounts of special interst money.

At the time, it was considered political suicide to operate with such self-imposed restraints, but he pulled it off.

[kiteinthewind]

44. I've been watching him for a while

and I think he is one of the few that has some guts!! Apparently, the only one who READ the PATRIOT act the first time around! I think he is smart, savvy, speaks well on his feet, and definitely my pick! Would like to see him and Gore on a ticket!
:thumbsup:

[IndyOp]

46. I think he is a hunk! And, he is *single* right now!!

What can I say. I am in a weird mood this morning AND I have my own candidate for 2008:

Let's get it straight - SNUFFY IN 2008! :hi:

[kiteinthewind]

48. LOL

Cute! :silly:

[FreedomAngel82]

53. I adore him

:loveya: Russ for president! http://www.russforpresident.com/

The only other person who I'd support now who we know is running in 2008 is Mark Warner. (I still love Kerry of course)

The site also tells why Russ should be the canidate in 2008.

[ms liberty]

60. I like Feingold; the only candidate I like more is Al Gore...

I'm a Gorewoman first and foremost; I've said before that if he can be convinved to run, I'll work 24/7 to get him in. But Russ Feingold is the real deal, he runs a close second after Al. He's smart, a thinker, and independent. He has integrity, he doesn't sell out. I've disagreed with some of his votes, but I respect him. He can think on his feet, too. That's an important quality, not just in governing but in campaigning, too. I don't care about his marital status, or his religious beliefs, but I think it might matter to some of my neighbors here in rural NC. It wouldn't if or when they actually got to know him, so he is someone I think would greatly benefit by being VP first. I'm not sure he could get the nomination, depending upon who runs, but mainly because of the corporatized wing of the Dem Party; but if he did, I'm not sure he could win the election. And it is imperative that we win; I firmly believe these next two elections ('06 and '08) will determine whether or not democracy survives in the US.

[pstans]

75. Feingold and Gore are my choices

One of them with Obama as VP.

:applause:

[Catchawave]

63. Like him ALOT....

and near the top of my '08 Wish List :)

[riderinthestorm]

65. He voted for Clinton's impeachment

I was/am disappointed he couldn't/wouldn't see through the fallaciousness of the impeachment action.

Whether he voted because of his "principles" or not, he voted to endorse the utterly reprehensible actions of the Repubs.

This fact gives me pause in my support of Feingold - he failed to see the truth of that situation, one of the most critical moments for the Dems in recent history.

It's hard to get over regardless of his real progressie stance on other issues. Will he recognize and understand the dark undercurrents in the future that are threatening our republic?

If he could fail to understand the real issues behind the impeachment of Clinton, I'm not sure he's the guy for these troubled times.

I think I'd rather see him stay a Senator frankly than a President.

[Sugarcoated]

66. Russ and Wes (Russ/Wes '08?) - both my guys

Besides the obvious points already said here, Russ (and Wes) to me, seem like they can deflect the swiftboating and spin. They make complicated issues easy to understand. Are strong - AND sensible. They can strike the balance that so many Dems have trouble with.

[stray cat]

68. He was the only one who saw through the patriot act

He also voted against giving Bush authority to go to war because the said Bush did not meet the burden of proof that Saddam was not just a bad guy but an immenent threat.

He is an ethical guy - and it is possible he saw lying under oath and sleeping with employees as a serious offense rather than a consequence of being taken in by repubs. Feingold has never put partisan antics above what he thinks is right.

[riderinthestorm]

70. I understand your position but still balk at this rationale

I believe if he's going to get all offended at Clinton's actions, to the point of voting to impeach, then that's an even bigger problem for me.

That means he failed to understand the nature of the lie (about a blow job) and the nature of presidents (who almost universally have mistresses).

If he thought impeachment was the "right" course of action to take in disciplining Clinton, then he's the wrong man for the Presidency.

[Cocoa]

69. Russ Feingold did not vote for Clinton's impeachment

not being in the House, he couldn't have.

Feingold voted AGAINST Clinton's conviction when it got to the Senate.

[riderinthestorm]

72. He voted with the Rs throughout the process

He did vote with the Rs virtually throughout the process, as the sole Dem to do this, it bothers me, even if he didn't actually vote to impeach at the end. That he played along with the process at all, is a problem.

He should have and could have stayed with the Dem majority on this - his votes diluted the process and caused no end of crowing amongst the Rs. It was pretty infuriating at the time.

[Cocoa]

74. he voted AGAINST conviction of Clinton

[riderinthestorm]

77. Okay I acknowledged that in my last post

And I apologize for any earlier confusion, my beef is with his position and votes all throughout the process.

He didn't see the forest through the trees on that issue, and it was infuriating. I believe he was corralled into the vote by the Dem leadership, not because he thought Clinton was getting a raw deal but because he was coerced.

I don't like it.

[stray cat]

81. Thanks for the clarification -

[cascadiance]

80. He also voted against the Telecomm Act

that gave us the unconstitutional Communications Decency Act (another attack on our civil liberties), and the likes of Clear Channel, Sinclair, Newscorp, and other media conglomerates controlling our country now through media deregulation. These were the only senators that voted against it then:

Russ Feingold
Patrick Leahy
John McCain
Paul Wellstone
Paul Simon

[stray cat]

82. With Wellstone he was in good company

[QC]

105. He singlehandedly made Ashcroft our attorney general. Ugh.

His vote is the one that let A's nomination out of committee.

[pstans]

71. He is getting strong netroots support

Check out Russforpresident.com who is leading a move to draft Russ to run in 2008. They started a 50 states campaign in December to have blogs started in every state and are up to 10-12 already. They are organizing meetups in various areas around President's Day weekend.

Check it out at http://www.russforpresident.com

For video of his speeches and radio appearences check out these links...
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=Feingold&image1.x=0&image1.y=0&image1=Submit

http://www.progressivepatriotfund.com/content/46

[Radical Activist]

78. He seems like the real thing.

You get a lot of Democrats who suddenly become progressive when the Democratic primary comes around. Feingold doesn't have to act. He has the record to back it up.

A midwestern progressive/populist may be exactly what we need rather than another corporate Democrat, or a Democrat who doesn't understand the power and importance of populist themes in the South and Midwest. From what I've read of him, he seems to have a very good idea of what messages will win Democrats new votes in middle America. I can't say the same for many party leaders from either coast.

[Vinca]

84. I really like him!

A couple of weeks ago I heard him speak and was very impressed. The crowd gave him a "standing o." He has a definite spine and is not shy about voicing his opinions.

[greiner3]

85. From what I've heard and seen, I would vote for him! n/t

[iconoclastNYC]

88. Love him.

We need an anti-establishment Democrat to run in every primary to move to party to the left and to show the voters that even tho it may not make it on the ballot, there is really bravery and progressive leadership in the democratic party.

[Lefty48197]

90. Two thumbs up for Russ Feingold

.

[Sugarcoated]

92. Is he definitely running?

[Sam0724]

95. Not definitely.

He's scheduled for "Sunday Night with Mike Gousha" on the Milwaukee NBC affiliate this evening. http://www.touchtmj4.com/_content/features/SundayNight/

I'm sure it will come up again; it always does.

[Vidar]

99. A hero.

[dolo amber]

100. Go here:

www.russforpresident.com

:hi:

[LWolf]

101. I think that

I'd like to see him run in the primaries, at least. Whether or not he gets my support depends on who else runs.

[fujiyama]

104. I like him a lot

He's a real populist liberal, with a social and civil libertarian streak but he's not a partisan in any real sense. More than McCain, I think maverick really does apply to him. I certaainly caan't agree with all his votes, but hhe'll atleast explain his votes and hhis reaasoning behind them. He has integrity annd principles and stands by them.

I hope he enters. I think he'd bring a lot of issues to the table, yet I think it's easier to take him more seriously than certan others on the left. I would guess that he will do well in the debates. He's sharp, witty, and also has a good sense of humor, which should help.

IMO, he should atleaast be seriously considered for VP. I believe he got the most votes in WI in '04, beaeting out Keerry and Bush (as others stated, he must hhave had a good number of cross over votes).

Here's an interesting article on him in TNR. http://www.tnr.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20051121&s=crowley112105

[changeishere]

108. Raising the BAR!

Even if you don't "think he has a chance". Wouldn't you like to see him stir up the hornets nest in DC and make both sides of the isle clean up a bit.

Deficit Hawk
Strong Leadership Abilities (no he won't walk lock step)
Support From Veterans/Military Families
Priorities: Health Care/Education/National Security/Economic Security

His character is second to none!

RUSS FOR PRESIDENT! OR VP!

[jsamuel]

109. ...

:thumbsup:

[spuddonna]

110. I Really Like Russ...

He's got a great mind, he's a great speaker, debates well... He seems to be an incredibly ethical man. Personally, I'd love a Feingold/Boxer ticket...

As Jon Stewart would say, "Me likey!"