Senator Feingold Returns!

[BamaLefty]

GREENVILLE, Ala. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, a Democrat who drew fire for comments about Greenville last year, returned to a warm reception Monday, saying he saw "a wonderful community" instead of one marked by poverty.

Feingold, a possible Democratic presidential candidate, offered no apology for the commentary he wrote in December for Salon.com, and town officials didn't ask him for one. They all smiled and said nothing but nice things — in contrast to the exchanges last year after he questioned why cities like Greenville kept voting Republican.

This time he got an official tour of the town's $17 million high school, two new auto parts manufacturing plants, and the local YMCA. Feingold said Greenville, like many towns in his own state, suffered substantial losses in manufacturing jobs in the late 1990s due, in part, to trade agreements, but is making a comeback thanks to leaders who won't give up.

Greenville is proof that "a hearty dose of optimism goes a long way," he told local officials.

Feingold, who is weighing a possible bid for president in 2008, is using his visit to Alabama, including stops Tuesday and Wednesday in Montgomery and Birmingham, to see what Democrats can do to rebound in a state that has gone Republican in every presidential election since 1976.


http://www.al.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1112050429141980.xml&storylist=alabamanews

[hippiechick]

1. blubber blubber blubber

Russ, I usually LOVE YA, but how can you fail to take this gift-wrapped opportunity to point out to these folks - and the rest of the Americans who continually vote against their best interests because they don't know better - that an 'impoverished' community CAN BE a wonderful community - there is no shame in being poor, and that with a little issues-related education and nudging toward the right direction, folks who live in poor communities can join together to take a little power for themselves, and vote DEM if they have a reason to.

Hello ?

[southlandshari]

2. Butler County went red - barely

The county stats were 58-42% for Bush, not a photo finish, but much closer than many other Alabama counties. And there are some very wealthy Republicans in Greenville that help account for the results.

If you care about rural communities and people living below the poverty line, I'd avoid condescending remarks like "they vote against their own interests because they don't know any better". I'm not trying to pick a fight here, just voice an opinion in the spirit of better understanding! I'm guessing that most, if not all, of the 42% given to Kerry in 2004 were votes cast by Butler County residents who aren't part of the country club set.

Russ Feingold is a VERY welcome Democratic guest in Butler County or anywhere else in Alabama, which was completely ignored and chalked up as a lost cause by Democratic candidates in the last election. And I think his approach is dead on - come and actually LISTEN to the people here as opposed to taking the opportunity to tell us what we are doing wrong and how we can best serve our own interests in the future. I have no doubt his visit did nothing but improve the local view of national Democrats in a state that really needs interaction like this.

[quaoar]

3. From the article

The morality thing? Is that woman delusional?



As Feingold toured Greenville on Monday, he passed by the "Hallelujah" banner that made such an impression on his first visit. Actually, it wasn't the same banner. Restaurant manager Becky Sloane said a storm shredded the first one, but her father, Bill Bates, had another made because he wanted Feingold to see it again on his way to another round of golf Monday afternoon.

She said she and her father attended the Bush inauguration in January and were treated like celebrities because of Feingold's commentary.

"We really were. I cannot tell you how many times we were asked about it," she said.

And her advice for Feingold on why Republicans carry Alabama in presidential elections: "It's the morality thing."

[BamaLefty]

4. This Girl Is Obviously Lacking Intelligence

But man is that turkey good! I go by there many Tuesday and get a turkey breast. Best in the world IMO.

I hate their politics, but I gotta give credit where credit is due.

Lol- "the morality thing." With that statement, she could have just put on the GOP HQ they own... "We know that you are all stupid idiots but that you will vote for us rich folks because we 1) Scare the shit out of you with terrorism, and 2) The poor bites the religion hypocrisy hook, line, and sinker."

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I would love to see Feingold run in '08, and to win some southern states

I think Clark would be a great VP to help him accomplish this goal.

[taleast]

6. Out Of Proportion

People blew that whole article WAY out of proportion. I read it and them the controversy started and I was like WTF??? It was way over-hyped, even by Alabama standards.

[BamaLefty]

7. Exactly

Sen Feingold never called or even implied that Butler Co residents were stupid.

I never got it either.