Feingold Goes for Broke

[dogday]

After calling for the legalization of gay marriage, Russ Feingold is the either the bravest, or the most naive, Democrat among the party's 2008 hopeful.

In either case, he's certainly giving the theories of party guru George Lakoff a valuable test run. Lakoff, author of a deeply influential book on "framing" political debates, exhorts candidates to never moderate their agenda to the poll-tested tastes of Middle America. Rather, they're to stand unapologetically for their liberal beliefs and trust that independents and moderates will be drawn in by their mettle and their principles, even if they disagree with their policy positions.

Feingold's tack really isn't that radical. By calling for a quick end to the Iraq war, a censure of the president over his illicit spying, and embracing the government sanction of homosexual marriages, he's merely articulating the wants of a majority of the Democratic base. But for a generation of left-fearing Democratic leaders, who cut their teeth on DLC centrism and Clintonian triangulation, that's revolutionary stuff.

Feingold knows his path to the White House runs through the Internet -- through MoveOn (which eagerly endorsed his censure resolution), through DailyKos (Kossaks rate Russ #1), through Atrios, Aravosis and the rest. And he's giving them all the red meat (or in Kos' personal case, braised tofu) that they can handle.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/nataffdaily/story/9598097/feingold_goes_for_broke?rnd=1144332699250&has-player=true&version=6.0.12.1212

[trotsky]

1. That technique worked for Paul Wellstone.

Unabashedly liberal, yet I personally knew many conservatives who proudly voted for him because "they knew where he stood."

[dogday]

10. Maybe someone should advise Feingold not

to fly in small planes??? Wellstone is truly missed.....

[myrna minx]

22. That is exactly it. You just had to respect Wellstone.

I miss our Senator.

[mattclearing]

43. That is the best way to sum up why this works.

And why people are so frustrated by the triangulation approach that has worked wonders for the GOP over the past 12 years.

[Armstead]

2. Whether he's running for Prez or not, he's filling the Wellstone Void

Feingold is rapidly filling the void left by Paul Wellstone, as a Senator who tells the truth and acts as a Principled Progressive Liberal.

It's a shame that by simply articulating what liberals and progressives really believe he's branded as a "maverick" instead of being seen as a Mainsteam Democrat, which is what he basically is.

[melissinha]

7. Do you think he's purposefully trying to distinguish himself from

mainstream Democrats to get the edge, by staying the unpopular, but just course? I think mainstream America puts gives a lot of credit for people who stand on consistent principaled ground.

[Armstead]

13. I think he's just being himself

He's always been what he is now. Just didn't get the same degree of attention.

[melissinha]

15. I don't doubt that

Read his wiki bio again, seems this guy doesn't waiver much and it would be quite difficult for the right find something on him...

I remember reading in freeperland that they looked into the finances of the beloved Honorable Conyers and were dismayed to find he had no large portfilio.

[dogday]

18. I think he votes like he says

He stands on his word and I like that... He votes consistantly with his principals,not other's interests.....

[HereSince1628]

12. Mainstream is in the eyes of the beholder.

For the DCDems it's the standard line of the consultants.

For the base mainstream is being aligned with the concerns of the base.

In the end, the professional pols will go with their wizards and exploit the hopeful nature of the base which the pols expect to back the party nominee regardless.

Life for a blade of grass in a lawn sucks, we just keep getting mowed.

[radio4progressives]

21. Boy Howdy.. It is indeed ashame, to me it's actually Surreal.

Someone recently, I'm pretty sure it was Kevin Phillips (who I do not give huge praises for simply capatizing on stating the obvious when it's way too late to matter) who said the Democratic Party lost it's ability/willingness to Fight Back against the Republicans since Carter years. Kennedy nor Johnson would have ever laid down against the Right Wing machine - the reason Johnson chose not to run again is because he couldn't fight his own party opposition from the Left because of the War, or from the Dixie Crat Right, because of Civil Rights.

Phillips observed that the Dems can't even figure out how to make hay from the horriifc scandals of corruption in this administration, pointed to how the Dems backed away from supporting Feingold on the Censure Resolution etc.

Phillips is correct, but hell, we've been saying that forever - why do the Dems need to have a right winger to state the obvious before they'll take heed?

[Armstead]

32. One small correction

Kevin Phillips is no Johnny Come Lately to the truth.

He's been saying things about the dangerous concentrations Wealth, Power and Class War that the Democratic Estalishment should have been saying for at least 10 years, maybe longer.

I rememnber seeing and reading things he's said that sounded like today's progressive Democrats back in the early 1990's. I recall thinking at the time "This is a Reagan Republican?"

He was more progressive than most Democrats, and telling truths that were being largely ignored by all sides of the political spectrum.

Phillips is coming from a different place than the Left, but he has long seen the same problems and in a bizarre way actually shares many of the opinions of liberals and progressives about the solutions.

It just shows IMO that common sense transcends the specifics of political labels.

[radio4progressives]

50. As a matter of fact you are correct...

I'm referring to how much of this c/should have been brought on the radar screen in huge neon lights and amplified, and it never was until now.. (sort of)

[Armstead]

51. I agree -- Actually....

....if the damn Reagan Consertvatives had listened to one of the architects of the Reagan Revolution (Phillips) back then, they might have become less loathsome over time and we might now be in less of a mess.

[bryant69]

3. Hmmmm

Could be a positive thing - could backfire. Certainly Fiengold is raising people's awareness of him.

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

[jedicord]

4. Music to my ears:

"Rather, they're to stand unapologetically for their liberal beliefs and trust that independents and moderates will be drawn in by their mettle and their principles, even if they disagree with their policy positions."

It's about time a Dem does that. Standing up for censure seemed to appeal to the citizens, hopefully standing up for equal rights will too.

[klook]

5. More braised tofu!

I like the approach. After glimpsing the cesspool of corruption that the Republicans have made of our government, people are hungry for integrity. It worked for Jimmy Carter, and it could work for Russ Feingold.

[LaurenG]

6. I truly admire Feingold

and I also think Lakoff knows what he's talking about.

[donco6]

8. I agree.

IMO, the country is tired of fudging, dodging, obfuscating - just come out and say what you believe. And don't apologize for it.

I like Russ.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. It is quite a shame, really

Equal marriage has been a part of the platform for the Washington State Democrats since 1998. Several other state platforms include a similar plank. In 2005, a poll by the Boston Globe showed that 71% of self-described Democrats support equal marriage.

And for supporting a common platform plank endorsed by a large majority of party members, Russ Feingold is either extremely brave or quite naive. How sad is that?

[dogday]

36. He is extremely brave and believes deeply in

the Constitution... When it says "WE THE PEOPLE", It means all people, not just straight ones....

[TechBear_Seattle]

My post was not to put down Russ Feingold's stand

But rather, to put down the people who think he is doing something "extremely brave or quite naive." Like I said, support for equal marriage has been a part of the party's platform (on the state level, at least) for almost ten years already.

[dogday]

47. I didn't think that, sorry if mine seemed like I

was being negative in anyway... Other than I am tired of people crapping on the constitution and Russ believes strongly in it for everyone....

[TechBear_Seattle]

44. My post was not to put down Russ Feingold's stand

But rather, to put down the people who think he is doing something "extremely brave or quite naive." Like I said, support for equal marriage has been a part of the party's platform (on the state level, at least) for almost ten years already.

[RufusEarl]

11. Could it be that thats just the way he feels?

He's a liberal democrat, IMHO thats how he should feel. It's refreshing to me anyway to hear any politician take a stand on principle, I salute you Mr. Feingold!

[Armstead]

14. That's it.....It only seems weird because it's so unusual

A liberal Democrat who actually believes in equal rights....It's not a very strange concept in the scheme of things. It just seems so today because our politics has become a system based on weasely cowardice and calculation over the last 30 yers.

[stray cat]

16. Feingold is being Feingold

its just people are beginning to listen to him.

[dogday]

17. The reasons I would vote for Russ

*Voted against the Patriot Act to protect our civil liberties
*Returns his pay raise to the Treasury every year
*Votes against unfair trade agreements (NAFTA, GATT, etc...)
*Demands the citizens of the US have the same quality healthcare as he does
*Has held open listening sessions in every county in Wisconsin for 12 years
*He has a broad appeal and has received many votes from both parties
*He has one of the best environmental records in the Senate
*Strong commitment to our Veterans with a record to prove it
*Works to cut wasteful spending and has received many endorsements to show it
*He supports a woman's right to choose
*He demands fairness in campaigning and fights to block 'corporate bribes'
*He has consistently worked to end the death penalty
*Works to helps Police Departments and was honored by the Nation Association of Police Organizations as the Senator of the year.
*He opposed No Child Left Behind
*Worked with students to increase Pell Grants
*Voted against the Iraq War Resolution and in favor of funding to support our troops.
*He supports same-sex marriage

[theobscure]

33. now he'll really be a find if he were to...

*support an independent investigation of 9/11
*call for a non-interventionist foreign policy
*support an overhaul of the federal election laws (which includes removing the prejudice for incumbents and the prejudice against 3rd party challenge)
*call for the end of the war on drugs and other "victim-less" crimes
*take the bully pulpit in the case for universal health care

[htuttle]

40. True -- that is the strategy he's always used in Wisconsin

As the article says:

...to stand unapologetically for their liberal beliefs and trust that independents and moderates will be drawn in by their mettle and their principles, even if they disagree with their policy positions.

Works for Russ. Look at his 2004 election results. A fair number of people voted for Feingold and Bush, believe it or not.

[riona]

19. whether or not feingold's views

resonate with the voters remains remains to be seen. but, i would absolutely love watching him participate in a debate with other candidates. can you imagine actually listening to a politician that doesn't dance around the issues - answering the moderator's question with a straight forward answer? what a breath of fresh air!

[dogday]

20. He is great when he speaks, he is articulate

and intelligent and would do very well in a debate...

[radio4progressives]

24. It would almost be revolutionary..

[AuntiBush]

23. Senator Finegold is a Patriot and Statesman

and everyone I know respects him.

He speaks the truth, loud and clear for us, finally.

[radio4progressives]

25. Indeed.. No one else compares..

[AuntiBush]

29. I'm Telling Ya...

He has my patriotic blood going again, not to mention lifting my spirits and many others feel the same way, too and we're not from his state, either though we wish we were at this point.

Finegold 08! Maybe Gore/Finegold or vice-versa.

[radio4progressives]

30. Yep.. Gore and Feingold, Feingold and Gore , either way..

If Gore wants to get back in.. he deserves to head the ticket because it was his election that was stolen first... otherwise, i want Feingold.

[AuntiBush]

34. Gore Certainly Does "More" then Deserve to Come Back

to his rightful position. And, the nation and world literally needs him and Finegold's spirt-fire NOW!

[DanCa]

26. You know I've been leary about running another Senator for President...

but in Feingolds case he's the exception to the rule. Go Russ Go.
:toast:

[radio4progressives]

31. Yes, I say throw all "conventional wisdom" out the window1

None of it means shite, we have a administration that has violated every major law in the land and the Constitution, but he is still president.

Standard/Conventional Political "Wisdom" no longer applies..

the only thing that matters is direct, frank and INTELLIGENT, and of course Progressive works for me! :toast:

[yellowdogmi]

27. I think he is doing a great job.

He has stood up for the Constitution by advocating censure. He really represents American values of equality for everyone not just those that can afford it. I would be able to support him whole heartedly for President. The only thing that he hasn't done that I would like to see is him denouncing the drug war. Locking up our fellow citizens for what amounts to a personal decision is wrong. I am not advocating that all drugs should be legal and unregulated but there has to be a better way of administering justice that won't imprision vast sections of our population. Ending the prohibition on marijuana would be a start. Requiring ephedrine based products to be behind the counter would be another helpful idea. I know the subject can be a lightning rod but it should be open for debate.

[Sugarcoated]

28. He's the sleeper candidate

People are starting to take notice of this fine man. Ane he's starting to be mentioned as the challenger to "Hilary the front runner"
The more face time he gets the more people like. I just think the time is so right for a man of this caliber, with this kind of integrity and honesty.

[More Than A Feeling]

35. I can't see Feingold being bamboozled by the consultant class

All the consultants of the Democratic Party just committed hara-kiri at the thought of him being the nominee in 2008. "But...but...what about THE HEARTLAND?" they sputtered just before they expired. It was too late. Feingold, like Cortez, had burned his boats before going off to conquer. There would be no temptation to triangulate, because it had just become impossible. Feingold would rise or fall based on who he was, not who the professional spin-masters wanted Americans to think he was.

[saracat]

37. Well, actually, Kerry is the one calling for a quick end to the Iraq war

and Feingold is backing him up. And it is also Kerry who has taken some of the first steps to use the bloggersphere. And he is obviously listening. But I don't suppose anyone will actually give him any credit as it is too fashionable amongst some to diss him. Kudos to Russ anyway, but credit where credit is due.

[dogday]

38. Who dissed Kerry, when did this thread become

about him.. I voted for Kerry... but I like Russ, in the end I will vote for whoever the party puts forward, but I swear I will do everything I can to support Russ if he runs... He does what he says, look at his record...

[saracat]

41. I didn't say anyone had "dissed " Kerry. It is just he was first to the

plate calling for an "official" withdraw and it seemed Rus was being given the credit. I like both guys. Kerry ,IMHO is the more progressive if you really look at his voting record(Other than the original Iraq vote)And Kerry led the Alito fight when noone else would. He is also persona non grata with leadership for it! Bravo to both these guys!

[dogday]

42. Russ did not vote for the war

he did not vote for the patriot act..

Kerry has done good things.. Yes, but this is a thread about Russ Feingold.. If you would like to discuss Kerry's great deeds, please start your own thread, that is all I ask....

[saracat]

45. I did discuss Russ. I like Russ. And I think I am able to post what I feel

is an honest distinction between the two mem. And I ought not to be censored for it! If you want unobstructed discussion of Feingold , it should be in a Feingold Group!

[dogday]

46. I asked nicely, I never tried to censore you,

I said if you want to praise him, why don't you start a thread, there are several now that I have seen and one I posted on, I did not mention Russ on that thread out of respect for Kerry... That is kind of what I am thinking.....

[radio4progressives]

39. I guess it's better late than never..

I'm perfectly happy to praise Kerry for his current positioning and trying to get this issue on the radar screen. I'm angry that it has taken him so long to get here. We, our country, needed the soul of the man of 1971 so desperately long long before now. We relied on him for that leadership.
Many many lives were counting on it. Glad to see him step up to the plate now, and I applaud him for it.

[lonestarnot]

48. Meat Feingold Meat, more red meat!

[benevolent dictator]

49. I love Feingold. I wish he were my senator. nt

[w4rma]

52. Damn. He's toast now. (nt)