Feingold Praised in Red America.

[JohnnyCougar]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/3/21/3939/27055

Shawano County is a red county in Wisconsin, a county where Republican House member Mark Green got 74% of the vote. Yet Feingold was still praised at his listening sessions in both Shawno and Menominee counties after he introduced the resolution to censure President Bush.

While Feingold's censure bid caused a commotion inside the Washington Beltway and on the ever-expanding blogosphere, it was just one of many issues brought up by his constituents, who deal with real-life concerns such as farming, education, health care and Social Security.

But when Feingold made his case to censure the president, he received sustained applause from a crowd of nearly 100 people at the Belle Plaine Community Center in Shawano County.

<snip>

There were a few lighthearted moments and a bizarre one at the meeting in Belle Plaine.

The first questioner lauded Feingold, got on one knee, and then prayed that the senator become president. Feingold, clearly embarrassed, gently told the man, "Oh, don't do that."

Tina Mullen, 40, said she had two questions. "Are you running for president," she asked.

This, coupled with polls from ARG saying that even 29% of Republicans support censure, tells you that this is a winning strategy. Even Republicans want someone to stand up to Bush and keep him in check.

Even Steve Chapman, a conservative columnist in the Chicago Tribune, supports Feingold.

The self-emasculation of a weak Congress

Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, thinks President Bush broke the law with his secret program to eavesdrop on Americans, and he wants Congress to censure Bush. He's right about the lawbreaking but wrong to think censure is the answer. That might give Americans the impression that Congress is something more than a supine slave of partisan interests. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Republicans on Capitol Hill, presented with the censure resolution, practically trampled each other to prove their slobbering devotion to the president. Sen. John Warner of Virginia assailed the proposal as "the worst type of political grandstanding." Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee accused Feingold of giving hope and encouragement to Al Qaeda: "The signal that it sends, that there is in any way a lack of support for our commander in chief who is leading us with a bold vision in a way that is making our homeland safer, is wrong."

So much for the "cowering in the corner" strategy.

[JuniperLea]

1. Great post... thanks...

Slobbering devotion... EW!

I sure would like to know what keeps the Idiot Chimp's grip on so many balls.

[ewagner]

2. Shawno County???

Wow!

That's where Democrats have to travel by night and live off the land!!!

This is GOOD NEWS folks....

[HereSince1628]

5. Basically Cheney country which is why the Dick was in the region last week

I love Russ. I love to know Russ has support. I love to know his support is growing.

But I think everyone needs to keep it in perspective, too. Last week the crowd that showed up for Cheney booed when the grimace mentioned Russ's name.

[Kurovski]

8. It's spelled "Shawano".

I had a freind who worked in the town, and lived in Bowler.

That's pretty remarkable.

What the hell is going on when elected Dems won't back Feingold when even Republican Americans get behind him. It sounds like more losing DLC strategy to me.

[KingFlorez]

3. This is good

And proof that a lot of people have a mind of their own and can break with the Bush administration. These people are the key to winning the midterm in November, along with independents, progressives and moderates.

[fujiyama]

4. I've heard

that he visits every single county in the state once a year to hold a listening session to hear his constituents' concerns. He doesn't forget who put him in office.

They know where he stands on the issues and they respect for that. He exudes sincerety, which is more than you can say for most politicians.

[JohnnyCougar]

6. You are exactly right.

That's why Russ is a politician who is "in touch" with the people, not out of touch. He goes around to every single county, no matter how red. He just respects the people he represents, no matter which political party they are from.

He is starting to hold online, national listening sessions as well.

He held one a week or two ago. Check the Progressive Patriots Fund website for updates:
http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/

[blm]

7. I agree with censure AND impeachment which is hardly a cower in the corner

strategy.

I also agree with Feingold that it's good that censure has been slowed down for debate and further investigation in the judiciary committee. This gives the issue greater importance and gives a base for senators like Kennedy and Leahy who requested access to ALL documents from the NSA. That was a solid strategic move.

I disagree with those DUers who mistakenly thought that a censure vote right away was the right goal, since that is exactly what the GOPs wanted. They also added to the RW mediaspin against the Dem party regarding censure vote, instead of recognizing that Feingold was PLEASED that censure went to committee early last week.

I also disagree with those who think it is OK to sell censure as an alternative to impeachment, since the case for censure is strong enough on its own merits.

I am glad that the issue in this article is focusing on Republicans who are realizing that Bush's brand of Republicanism nowhere near resembles theirs and it is good for Feingold to take that message out into these red counties. Some Dems take that bull by the horn regularly, and more need to do so.

[JohnnyCougar]

10. I agree with all the above points.

The longer this issue gets dragged out, the better. It was Frist that wanted the immediate vote, not Feingold.

[madrchsod]

9. do they know he practices

judaism? just kidding..the guy must be the real deal if he can get the people up there to be on his side....what is the saying? hmmmmm..all politics are local? maybe i will move to wisconsin when i retire...

[JohnnyCougar]

11. I really don't think people care.

There are a lot of christians that would elect a Jew that gets up there, listens to them, and represents them honestly. People seem to think being Jewish means that Feingold could never be President. I think this is false.

[Sugarcoated]

12. Amazing to hear!

I can relate to what that guy did (begging on one knee), don't think I'd go that far, but I'd plead on two legs. I know how that guy feels. We need a strong leader to stand up to this pillaging. It seems like Russ is the only one who'll do it.