The one man who could turn censure around...

[VirginiaDem]

Howard Dean. He could use his position as a bully pulpit and fighting back/standing his ground is his forte. So where's he been? What's he said?

[NYCGirl]

1. Why do you think he has any influence over the Senate? NT

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. He has no influnece over the senate

sorry to bust that bubble

[VirginiaDem]

6. His is one of the party's most important leadership positions n/t

[madfloridian]

8. The DC dems did not support him for the chair.

It was 427 members outside of DC mostly. It was the bloggers. Harry Reid told him to his face he did not want him as chair.

He in that letter told us to support Feingold. It was pretty clear to me. He can't, we can.

[emulatorloo]

3. Howard Dean sent me an email today about Russ

Subject: 'Russ Feingold is a traitor'


Dear Emulatorloo,


That's what Republicans want you to think.

They are so scared of having a legitimate debate about Iraq or national security that they have only one reaction to news of their failures or calls for accountability.

On Monday, Democratic Senator Russ Feingold introduced legislation to censure the President for breaking the law by creating a secret domestic spying program. Agree or disagree with his proposal, as a Senator -- and as an American -- he has the right to speak his mind and express his views without Republican Senators questioning his patriotism.

But that's exactly what happened. This week Republican Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado, in an interview with Fox News radio, said in response to Feingold's action that he has "time and time again with the terrorists".

Send a message to Senator Allard: shame on him for questioning the patriotism of another Senator. Sign this petition and it will be delivered to Allard:

http://www.democrats.org/stopattackingruss

Agree or disagree with Russ Feingold's censure resolution, it is completely out of bounds to suggest that anyone demanding accountability is siding with terrorists. It is simply un-American to question the patriotism and loyalty of a Senator who wants the Congress to live up to its responsibility.

We've heard this cowardly nonsense from Republican leaders before. They attacked decorated Veteran and Democratic Rep. Jack Murtha for getting real on Iraq. They attacked Democratic Leader Harry Reid for shutting down the Senate to demand answers about manipulated pre-war intelligence.

They have ended the careers of generals who questioned Bush Administration talking points, and they even attack their own when respectable Republicans speak out on the disaster this administration has created in Iraq and its failure to close the gaps in our security here at home.

And time and again, the Republican controlled congress has consistently failed to conduct real oversight of the Administration, choosing instead to protect the Administration.

But polls show that nearly 70% of Americans reject this president and the Republican Congress that has failed to hold him accountable. And together we will hold Republicans accountable at the ballot box this year.

That's why the Democratic Party is putting the infrastructure on the ground now to fight in all 50 states. People everywhere are saying "enough is enough" -- and we will be ready to organize and fight everywhere with your help.

Please contribute whatever you can to make it happen:

http://www.democrats.org/accountability

The sick behavior of desperate Republicans will only stop when we fight back, and 2006 is the time to do it.

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

[pacalo]

4. Thanks!

Submitted. Here are my comments:

Senator Feingold seems to be the only senator who understands his job when it comes to oversight of the president. When the president believes he is above the law & breaks one law after another because the laws are inconvenient for him, the Senate should step in to keep him in check.

Sen. Allard, NO ONE is above the law. The prisons are filled with people who found the laws to be inconvenient for them.

Instead of resorting to childish name-calling because of your belief that this particular Republican president should be untouchable, you should do what the Constitution directs you as a senator to do: The president has broken the law & he should be held accountable by the Senate.

If you choose to cover the president's crime by changing the law to suit him over the choice of censuring him for his above-the-law mentality, then YOU, Sen. Allard, are the TRAITOR. You are not representing the People, you are using your elected position to aid & abet a Nixonian presidency.

Unbelievable that our country has come to this. We are our own worst enemy under this presidency.

[On the Road]

5. Sent $25 -- Thanks for the Link

This issue will follow the money like most others.

Contributions need to be made to those supporting censure and withheld for those opposing censure.

Personally, I cannot believe that Democrats are running away from this. A censure doesn't even have teeth, but it's important to get it on the record. It doesn't have to be a strict party-line vote -- if 80% of Democrats stick together, it will have an impact.

[VirginiaDem]

7. He's making an important point without supporting censure.

I'd like to see Dean say something like, "While this is for each individual to decide, I support this resolution."

[WatchWhatISay]

9. He just sent me a letter which motivated me

to write this letter to Senator Allerd:

Russ Feingold speaks for me. Kaye Bailey Hutchinson does not. John Cornyn does not. The weaker Democrats (ie, Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Hillary Clinton do not. Corrupt Republicans surely do not. The Bush Administration certainly does not.

I am not usually so arrogant as to see myself as better than others, but I guarantee you that Russ Feingold and myself and strong Democrats are far better Patriots than those who would sell our Democracy for such a cheap and disgusting price.