Tragically, Russ Feingold Will Never, Ever Be President

[Yavin4]

And it's not because of his religion. It's not because of his politics. It's not because of party affiliation.

It's because he's honest. The American people will not elect an honest person to be president of the U.S. Jimmy Carter was honest, and he lost big. Mondale was honest and he lost. Gary Hart was honest and he lost. Paul Tsongas, Jerry Brown, Howard Dean, etc. etc. etc.

The American people don't vote for honesty. They vote for the candidate that tells them what they want to hear, which is that they will be to mortgage a big house, drive a big car, buy what they want when they want, and that it's okay to kill brown people all the world over.

The truth scares them. That's why religion is soo popular.

[mattclearing]

1. But I thought Jimmy Carter was elected to the Presidency.

:shrug:

[bryant69]

8. Yeah - post watergate morality

After the embarrassment of Watergate for a few years politicians felt like it was important to pretend to be honest. Carter got elected on that - which actually could happen again - but it seems unlikely.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[mattclearing]

10. After Bush, I would think honestly would be near the top of the list.

Who will be the one to return honor and dignity to the White House this time? :eyes:

:D

[bryant69]

13. I don't know I would put Honesty right below

"Not being a moron" myself.

[mattclearing]

14. LOL. n/t

[ladjf]

32. Same thing might apply to "post bush" mentality. America

should be hungry from integrity in government about the Bush debacle.

[AtomicKitten]

2. Never say never -- a sea change is imminent

[Sugarcoated]

3. I think the time might be right

for an honest person to run successfully. If ever there was.

[SnoopDog]

4. Starting with me,

I will vote for the most honest and democratic person - always. Mr. Feingold fits the bill so far...

I'm first, we have 300 million people to go (ok, only the registered Americans whatever that number is).

[Jackpine Radical]

5. ...and only a little more than half of THOSE.

So you see, it's entirely doable.

[dogday]

6. I think the days of people telling me what they think

I want to hear are over... I am tired of all the crap and would like a president who just comes out and says ok, here is how it is. I think that we are tired of listening to Bush's lies so much we will want to bend the opposite of him and get a truthful candidate.. We shall see

[Rainscents]

7. WRONG!

I think, our country had it lying scums and country is ready for someone honest!

[Yavin4]

17. Really? Where's The Proof?

Show me where Americans are ready for honest politicians? Show me.

[jane_pippin]

25. Well Russ did get elected to the Senate, so *some* of us seem to be ready.

He didn't just sprout up outta the Senate floor, you know. :)

He may as well give it a try when '08 rolls around. Who knows--maybe people outside of my state would like to vote for him too.

[Yavin4]

26. Some A Presidential Electoral Majority

I never said that an honest politician can't win office at all, just not the presidency.

[jane_pippin]

30. Ah. Sorry I misunderstood. I still think it's worth a try at least.

Frankly I don't think he'd win it all in '08 and I'd be (happily) surprised if he got the nomination, but I'd like to see him try for it anyway. I'd love to be wrong about that and see him win the nomination and the presidency, but I think it's too early to call anything now. I think his obstacle will be money more than anything else. They already tried to pull the patriotism and family values cards on him in his last election and failed miserably. I don't recall his religion coming up at all, though it may have. Now, granted he's an incumbant here and this wasn't on a national scale, but I think Russ would weather the bullshit they'd throw at him well, and at least the race would have some good issues raised in it.

Edit: Had another thought to add.

[jsamuel]

9. We're living in a Post-Internet world now...

things are different...

[Radical Activist]

11. Well this post is certainly productive and helpful.

You know what I think the number one reason is for honest liberals not getting elected? The failure of liberal activists to support like-minded candidates. Its the negative, "we can't possibly win so I'll vote for a moderate with a chance" liberals that defeat us. We are our own worst enemy.

Thanks a lot of being a contributor to future potential failures by promoting such a negative attitude.

[Yavin4]

16. Liberal Activists Didn't Support Dean?

An obscure governor of Vermont who out-polled Joe Lieberman in the Dem primaries of 2004? Remember, it's not just the liberals who vote.

[Radical Activist]

20. Dean wasn't a liberal

He was a moderate, who used liberal frames in select speeches. They abandoned liberals like Kucinich and Braun because they supposedly had no chance.

[rpgamerd00d]

12. I agree and disagree. He won't, and its because he is Jewish.

Not being a biggot here, I did a poll on this, and most DUers agree.
America isn't ready to elect a non-Christian yet. Not in 2008.

[Sugarcoated]

15. If the RW'ers can get behind a black woman for president

than the country at large is ready for a Jewish president. There was a time when they said a Catholic could never win . . .

[EFerrari]

22. The racist Republican Party will NEVER run a black woman. n/t

[MADem]

23. Actually, I don't see that as a problem

After all, the Gore-Lieberman ticket won most of the VOTES when they ran.

What I think does him in is his serial marriages, and his lack of a "spouse" to participate in the Ladies' Home Journal cookie baking contests, and to be raked over the coals for her style, or lack thereof.

Personally, I don't particularly care about his personal life, but there are people who make decisions based on this sort of nonsense. Way too many people, unfortunately--after all, a preponderance of idiots felt that Mistah OnTheWagon(?) Bush was THE guy they wanted to have a BEER with!!!! OR babysit their kids!!!!!!!!!!

And half the time, the people sitting in judgment have a failed marriage or two under THEIR belts, as well, but they justify that, despite having no real clue as to his circumstances, as saying their situation was very "different" because they were somehow "victims" of cheaters, abusers, or whatever.

[liveoaktx]

18. Thanks for pre-judging- I prefer to at least wait it out

[NanceGreggs]

19. I must disagree.

The candidate Americans are most likely to vote for is a moving target, impacted by countless variables that have to be looked at as a snap-shot in time. The 'perfect' candidate during wartime or a depression may be viewed as the 'worst choice' by the same voters during peacetime and prosperity.

As we look at current polling responses, we're seeing a definite pattern emerge that will shape voters' opinions in 2008. The vast majority of the country think the nation is headed in the wrong direction, that the Iraq invasion was a mistake, that things like education and health care are under-funded, etc. Throw into that mix the citizenry's dissatisfaction with the economy, especially the shrinking job market, and soaring prices for necessities like gas for the car, and heating fuel for the home.

True, the people want a candidate who will tell them what they want to hear. Right now, what they want to hear is a plan to get us back on track, a plan to un-do what's been done imcompetently, a plan to better their lives and their children's lives.

If Feingold can convince voters that he has the plans to accomplish those things, he will be the next President of the United States.

And I think he CAN.

[mattclearing]

24. I like your take on it.

Nice thought.

[NanceGreggs]

31. Thanks, tasteblind!

:hi:

[Lorien]

21. My RW fundie mother said that she would vote for Russ, but not Hillary

(she's Baptist, not Jewish). Why? Because the Patriot Act scares the hell out of her, and he fought against it.

[nomaco-10]

27. Yep, unfortunately he stepped outside the pack.....

most of the people in this country will brand him as a troublemaker and a renegade, kind of like they did Dean for speaking the truth.
People on both sides generally like their candidates homogenous, but never androgenous. Well spoken, but not in an elitist way. Honest, but not too outspoken. Plain spoken, but not particularly articulate.
Yep, it may be the end of his aspirations for 08.

[ThoughtCriminal]

28. Worse than honest - a sitting Senator

Last time a sitting Senator was elected to President of the United States?
- 1960

41 have tried since then, none were elected.

Last sitting Senator to get elected POTUS before Kennedy?
- Harding.


The burdens of being a Senator and the baggage of distorted voting records make it very hard to get elected to the Presidency. The next President will most likely be a current or former govenor (7 of last 8).

[Beelzebud]

29. I think if he did run, most Dems would endorse his republican challenger..

I'm just going from what I've seen this week.