Feingold has forced the Democratic Party's hand, now let's do our part!

[More Than A Feeling]

I am glad that Feingold did this.

If it wins, that will be another nail in the coffin for the Republican Party. Not that I think it will alter Bush's behavior one bit. He has shown time and again that he does not care what people who disagree with him think. Instead, it will reinforce the idea that the Republican Party is divided and weak.

If it loses on a party line vote, then it will be a significant improvement from a month ago, when a similar scenario occurred (the maverick filibuster against Alito that 19 Democrats did not support). That, too, had one leader jumping out in front (Kerry) as well as significant grass and netroots support.

If it fails because Democrats cannot unite, even against a low-30's president, on an issue that flies in the face of the constitution, with poll numbers showing that the majority of Americans agree with us, that is worth knowing, wouldn't you say?

In the meantime, Democrats have captured this media cycle and intensified the focus on Bush and whether he deserves censure or not. It is a short-term victory.

Now is the time for all good Democrats to GET THEIR REARS IN GEAR! Get our interest groups to support the censure. Get a censure campaign going! Call, call, call! It's time to improve on our lackluster performance during the filibuster, waiting until the last minute, letting the interest groups sit that one out, pressuring the wobblers.

Let's do everything in our power to make sure that this is NOT a failure!

Senator's contact information:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

People for the American Way:
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=162

Moveon.org:
http://political.moveon.org/censure/

I will add more interest groups if there are more suggestions.

On edit: Let's get a headcount going of supports, undecideds, and possible sell-outs so we know who needs the extra attention.

Further edit: Here is a wonderful list of reasons why it isn't important how or why this happened or who did it, the fact is it was done! http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x657534

[stop the bleeding]

1. No one wanted to support Murtha either in the beginning but as

each day passes more and more people are falling in line with his thinking and ideas.

Good post, I would have put this in my journal(if I wrote it that is) if I could articulate my thoughts as well as you.

[mb7588a]

4. And feingold called for what murtha called for before murtha!

wow amazing. flash. bang. kaboom. RUSS IS THE BOMB.

[sandnsea]

7. No he didn't

Feingold called for benchmarks, like Kerry. Not redeployment to bases in the region.

[jsamuel]

10. from what I understand you are correct

[mb7588a]

20. no, but a similar call:

http://feingold.senate.gov/issues_timeline.html
August 18, 2005 - Feingold proposes a gradual withdraw of U.S. troops from Iraq. Feingold proposes December 31, 2006 as the target date for military completion in Iraq. Feingold believes that a clear timeline would undermine recruiting efforts of insurgents, encourage Iraqi transistion of power, and create a broader discussion of pressing national security issues. Feingold feels "obligated to help jump start the process by proposing a significant goal for bringing U.S. forces home from Iraq."

November 15, 2005- Senator Feingold is one of forty United States Senators to vote in favor of a flexible timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Senator Feingold also votes in favor of an amendment which would require the administration to provide feedback on progress in Iraq. He vows to continue to fight for timeframe for a ending the military mission in Iraq.

November 17, 2005 - Senator Feingold commends Congressmen Murtha for calling for an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq. Feingold states"Given the choice between staying indefinitely without a plan, which is the current situation, and bringing our troops home, I would opt for bringing our troops home, but I would prefer to do so based on a flexible timetable for achieving clear, realistic goals."

[sandnsea]

21. I agree they're all similar

I've said from the beginning that there isn't much difference Murtha-Kerry-Korb-Feingold plans. I encouraged people to embrace the whole package and wrap it in "military disengagement". But oh no, the Murtha plan was "out now" and nobody would hear another word.

NOW people want to say it's the same as Feingold's??? :eyes:

[lakeguy]

2. agreed...

it also forces the rethugs to attach themselves to the pResident and ALL of his problems (including his 34% approval rating) with one vote.

[mattclearing]

3. I like the sentiment, but I have a feeling the other Dems aren't going to

back him up because he did this on his own.

Biden said it seemed like a move of frustration on Feingold's part on this morning's Today Show, just before explaining why he will be a better candidate for President than Hillary Clinton.

And that is the heart of the matter.

I'm convinced this is the opening shot of Feingold's '08 campaign.

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that he left Clinton, Biden, Kerry, and the rest out of the loop.

But it would be great to get people on board with him.

[sendero]

11. Let's just say..

... that Feingold is basically doing this to jump-start his presidential aspirations.

Well, great! I'd rather he do that than to take up the oh-so-pressing video-games issue or some other nonsense.

Why the rest of the Dems are so timid is beyond me. The president has spent his political capital and is now in political debt. His own party is scrambling to distance themselves from him.

Why is Feingold the only Dem who will DO ANYTHING?

[mattclearing]

13. Agreed.

I approve of this move. It's the right thing to do, and the right thing to say.

And I understand why he didn't warn anyone. After all, primary season is war.

If he had told Kerry, what's to stop Kerry from doing it first?

[sendero]

14. Cowardice?

(I couldn't resist :))

[mattclearing]

17. LOL. n/t

[PVK]

5. Go here!

http://political.moveon.org/censure/

[More Than A Feeling]

15. Thanks for the link!

added to the OP!

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. At the very least it will force Hillary and Bayh and others

not to take for granted their support from the base. Feingold is forcing them to address their political support on the left. I do think that Feingold did this simply because he takes his oath seriously. The rest is just added gravy.

[Minnesota Libra]

8. OH, I've already contacted BOTH Senators on this and told them......

.....their reaction to this censure bill will have a very direct affect on my vote in November and again in 08.:toast: :hug:

[katty]

9. contact both senators and signed petition

[dmr4567]

12. Great Post

I e-mailed some Senators last night I wish I could have articulated my message as well as you did your post. This censure seems like a no brainier to me and I don't understand why all Dem's are not behind this.

[Hubert Flottz]

16. My senators won't help us they are KKKonservative democrats

I'd like to ask them...What if the founders had gone along to get along in 1776?

But I feel like I'd be wasting my breath.

Byrd talked about the people at Move On like they were trash after he took their money...Jay's hands are tied! I've run out of people that I can trust in Washington.

[More Than A Feeling]

18. Call and find out for sure

That's worth knowing. So we can bury them in calls, emails, faxes, etc. It wouldn't be a waste at all. Positions can change.

[ladjf]

19. He has planted an official seed of discontentment in a very

important field, the U.S. Senate. Every senator has discussed the resolution. It will not pass but it will not be forgotten. The next "farmer" will have more success and then next more than that.

Feingold has officially accused Bush of being a felon. That is very good. The accusation comes first. The indictment will follow in time.

[PVK]

22. Here's another one, this time from Chairman Dean.

http://www.democrats.org/blog.html

[Dark]

23. No. Feingold was wrong to censure Bush.

True, Bush probably did break the law. But think about it. What if the investigation winds up showing that Bush DIDN'T. Feingold will look like an ass.

And if it does show up that he did, then a far worse fate awaits Bush than a simple censure.

I'm all for the Dems actually putting their money where their mouth is, but they need to think before they act. This could very easily blow up in our faces.

[Rainscents]

25. This is Win, Win for everyone!

We all know, Bush broke the law!!! There is solid evidence he ordered illegal wiretapping and Freingold knows this! Freingold is insider.

Hell, we already know, GOP is not going to investigate any of this, so why NOT support Freingold anyway?

[Rainscents]

24. Hehehe...

I just got off the phone with Cantwell and Murray's office. They both said, they have been swamp with phone calls about this issue and they are taking this issue very seriously! HA, power of the people!!!

[spuddonna]

26. Did you call the DC office or their local offices?

I called their DC offices... just wonderin'! :)

[Rainscents]

27. I called both office... hehehe

We have to swamp and cover every base!!!

[spuddonna]

28. Excellent! :) (rubs hands like Mr Burns...) n/t