I was impressed with Russ Feingold this morning on MTP......

[Wetzelbill]

I've never seen him on TV or anything before. Really an interesting guy. He was only on about 14 minutes, I wish he would've been given more time.

I felt David Gregory asked at least one inane question, but I'm not so sure if he wasn't setting Russ up a little because Feingold hit it out of the park. It was the "Isn't the U.S. better off with Saddam Hussein out of power?" I was about to just scream at the TV because that is such a phony RW talking point that has little, if anything, to do with how Iraq has weakened security. I mean, honest, Saddam Hussein was a bad guy, he's gone and that is a good thing. However, at what cost? How many Americans have been maimed and killed? What is our standing in the world? How many terrorists have been recruited to the cause? Was Saddam even a threat? It's really a foolish point. Feingold got a little smile and just whacked that sucker too. I really liked how he kept saying "some of us" knew this (meaning Iraq) was a bad idea from the beginning. And, how he mentioned Dems are cowed into voting for stupid actions because they get attacked if they don't etc. But, I do think Gregory kind of knew what Russ was going to say - or had an idea anyway - so he lobbed out a RW point at Feingold so he could give his take on it.

I do like how Feingold asserted that he wasn't setting up a deadline, but a more of a benchmark to get things done at a certain time. He has a pretty well thought out idea. I'm not sure if I fully agree with it or not, I just haven't totally made up my mind on it all yet, but he's definitely worth listening too. By contrast, Trent Lott acted like he didn't even know what Russ was talking about. He proceeded talking about Feingold's idea as if it was a concrete deadline or something, but it isn't. It's flexible. Now, to be fair, Senator Lott may not have fully checked out or heard Russ's details but he was putting forth arguments that Feingold already covered.

All in all, I was impressed though. Russ Feingold is an intriguing guy. Seems to be a true man of integrity, as well. I like him a lot.

[Clark2008]

1. He is my second choice in 2008, right now.

I just worry about his abilities to pick up any red states because of his last name - and that alone. We have to turn a couple of red states.

I also worry about his lack of foreign policy experience, even if he was one of the few who didn't vote for the Bush Fuck-up.

(And, before someone blows an "anti-Semitic" gasket: I'm the ex-wife of a Palestinian man (Semitic), the mother of a half Palestinian son and the fiancee of a Jewish man. My point is that, while I'm a liberated Southern woman, there are many in the South and mid-West who aren't.)

[Wetzelbill]

6. so who is your first?

Well, Russ is on the Foreign Relations committee and has been since 1993 so he has more Foreign Policy experience than just about any candidate in recent memory. So I don't think the experience thing would be a factor, but his opinions would get hit hard, whether he was right or not.

I get what you mean by his last name. It's tough to get past the bigot vote, no doubt.

[Clark2008]

8. Oh, I thought my first choice was rather obvious

given my user name and avatar and sig line. LOL!

:D

[Wetzelbill]

26. I know I was jk

:)

[safi0]

12. In the deep South

Your concern definetely has some validity. But I think in all of the states Kerry carried this wouldn't be a problem. I think in Ohio, Iowa, Florida and some of the Western states this also wouldn't be a problem.

[Clark2008]

13. Oh, hell... the Deep South isn't going blue in the first place.

But, Kerry didn't carry Ohio, Iowa and Florida.

I'm still considering Arkansas, Virginia, New Mexico and Arizona, myself. Florida's fixed. Ohio is Diebolded and I haven't figured out Iowa, yet. :)

[safi0]

16. I was naming

Those states in addition to the states Kerry carried as states that his name wouldn't be a problem

[FreedomAngel82]

23. And you know this how??

How do you know Kerry didn't take Ohio? Talk to David Cobb and Cliff Arnebeck.

[FreedomAngel82]

20. Why his last name??

:shrug: I don't get it.

[safi0]

21. He's Jewish

[FreedomAngel82]

24. And that means what?

So what? He's Jewish. Whoopie. :eyes:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

28. The OP means that many in the red states won't vote for a Jewish person.

[Telly Savalas]

29. There are many in red states who won't vote for anyone to the left...

of David Duke. That doesn't mean we should modify our behavior to court their vote either. (By the way anti-semitic assholes live in blue states too.)

What votes are we worried about losing? Somebody with this mentality:

"Senator Feingold has courage and integrity. He's willing to toss aside partisanship and work with others across the aisle to get results. He supports policies which make America a better place and is willing to take unpopular stands when he knows he's right, as evidenced by him being the sole dissenting vote on the Patriot Act. Too bad he's a fucking Jew. Guess I'm gonna have to vote for Bill Frist instead."

????

I don't think such people exist.

[safi0]

30. I definetely agree

I think the same people who wouldn't vote for Feingold because he's Jewish or because he could be a bachelor when he's running, are the same people who wouldn't vote for just about any Dem. because there pro-choice

[Starbucks Anarchist]

34. We should never modify our behavior to satisfy bigots.

Sadly, there are many people who are ignorant out there.

[safi0]

35. Absolutely.

I remember reading an article about Toby Keith where he called himself a Democrat albeit he did refer to himself as a conservative Democrat but a Democrat none the less. I think that was the first time I was ever upset hearing someone was a Democrat.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

36. I'm upset when Lieberman and Zell Miller call themselves Dems.

[ClassWarrior]

31. You underestimate Russ' ability to cut across...

...the "boundries" to demonstrate what we've said here all along. That Progressive values are the BEST of AMERICAN VALUES.

NGU.

[safi0]

32. No I don't

Just like you classwarrior I'm a Wisconsinite and I've seen his ability to cut across part lines first hand. I'm just saying the same people who wouldn't vote for him because he's Jewish wouldn't vote for just about any Dem. because there Pro-Choice

[ClassWarrior]

33. Actually, I was saying that to Clark2008 - who isn't a Sconnie.

NGU.

[smoogatz]

2. We like Russ here in Wisconsin.

He voted right on the authorization (against), right on the supplemental (for), and was the only senator, I believe to vote against the Patriot Act--because, as he says, he's the only only one that read the damn thing. He's also anti-NAFTA and CAFTA, and excellent down the line on jobs, taxes, choice, etc. Russ's albatross is, I think, his two divorces--the most recent was apparently amicable, but still. He's a smart guy, though, and I don't doubt he's got a strategy for dealing with those who would attack his personal life.

[Wetzelbill]

3. the divorce thing is a valid point

that he has a strategy for it is valid too, I'm sure.

He's impressive no doubt. In an age when most Dems lack any mettle whatsoever, Feingold has consistently showed he has plenty of it himself.

[shraby]

5. When he first ran, I noted that he didn't take

any corporate money for his campaign. He ran on a thin dime. That's one of the reasons I voted for him. He didn't owe anyone anything. Integrity is his middle name.

[FreedomAngel82]

25. Good!

I like it which is what Dean is trying to do. We need more people like him. I think it would be great to have him if we can't have Kerry or Gore.

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Is there any place online where I could watch a clip of that?

I'd really like to get a better look at him.

[Wetzelbill]

7. I'll check around and get back to you nt

[Crunchy Frog]

10. I found part of it on Crooksandliars,

but it didn't appear to be the whole thing. I really liked what I saw of him though.

[Clark2008]

9. I think there's some cohesive irony afoot here..

Many, many Clarkies like Russ.

I believe it's the honesty. We like that in Wes. We like that in Russ.

[Crunchy Frog]

11. Yes, I kind of like that trait in a political figure.

God knows it's rare enough.

[Clark2008]

14. Sure is.

How's my favorite Crunchy Frog tonight?

Did I tell you I was getting hitched?

Well, I mean, he hasn't popped out a ring and gotten on his knee, but he's moving in and we've set a tentative date and his mother's picking out the rock, so I guess it's a done deal. :hi:

[Crunchy Frog]

15. You're getting hitched?

Well, I must say that Keith Olbermann is a very lucky man.:evilgrin:

I'm okay, more or less, I guess.

[Clark2008]

18. No... no... not Keith. LOL!

Even Keith wasn't sure it wasn't him. :rofl:

Seriously, though... my guy is great. This - and maybe Wednesday - are probably my last nights alone - not that that's bad! It's not - and he knows I blog; therefore, I am. :)

My name is going from Mrs. Odtallah to Mrs. Bergman (with a four-year stint as Ms. Turner, my maiden name, in between).

I expect the Nobel Peace prize for Middle Eastern relations next year. :evilgrin:

[ginnyinWI]

17. What I noticed, being from Wisconsin:

He was saying that he just held 17 town hall meetings in Northern Wisconsin (he goes to every county in the state at least once a year to listen to the people--all 72 counties!).

Anyway, Northern Wisconsin is nothing if not very conservative! It is rural and filled with small towns and has probably more than its share of seniors--retirees. Now if they are sick of the war and want out, this is something serious. Very telling. We are a light blue state, true, but that is because of Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, and the college centers throughout the state. The rest is rural-red. And now they want the war to end. Great to hear!

[Crunchy Frog]

22. I'm really envious of people who live in a state where someone

like Feingold can get elected to the Senate. We had a really incredible progressive candidate in our Senate primaries, but of course, the conventional wisdom was that he couldn't win in a purple state like Colorado, so we got stuck with a conservative Dem who we can expect an occasional good vote from and at least is a warm body with a D after his name. I envy those states that are able to elect a true progressive.

I guess Feingold has shown that a progressive can win in red rural areas if he appears principled and strong in his convictions and can communicate his positions well.

Glad to hear that the red areas want an end to the war too. I guess it's mostly their kids who are dying.

[ginnyinWI]

37. that's why he is so popular here

He really listens and responds to the people--takes their concerns to Washington. That's the way it is supposed to work. He got more votes than Kerry did last fall--some people here may not like Democrats in general, but they do like Feingold. I'm guessing that they like the "maverick" image that he has.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. I really like him myself

He won me over by being the only Senator to vote no on the "Patriot Act." If I can't have Kerry I would like to have him. :)

[fujiyama]

27. Definetely my favorite senator

It took guts to vote against the PATRIOT Act, knowing full well that he would be up for election in just three years.

For that I'm forever grateful. I like his honesty and integrity. And while I ocassionally do disagree with his votes (like his votes for Bush cabinet nominees) I ultimately understand his reasoning.