Feingold for president?

[Gregorian]

Any thoughts on this?

A good friend said how much they thought he'd be a great president. I know nothing about him. His website shows that he voted against the Patriot Act. I assume he voted for the war resolution, because that's not mentioned.

It's probably way to early to be posting this. But I'd like to have a head start this time around. (By the way, my friend voted for Clark in the last primary. And she is very experienced. So when she says someone is a good runner, I believer her. For what that's worth. )

[safi0]

1. No, he voted against

The War Resolution also. Personally, he's my favorite Senator and if he runs I'll be right there trying to find out how I can help

[Gregorian]

2. Thanks.

Wow, he's one of a few. And that's an important criteria for getting my vote.

[sybylla]

3. There is a Russ Feingold group you might be interested in checking out

There are numerous posts dealing with his potential candidacy for President and some thoughtful discussion on his attributes and faults.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=332

As for me, I think he'd be a fine president. His forthrightness and common sense have earned him respect and votes from conservative and libertarian types in this state. He's a kick-ass campaigner and doesn't shy away from nasty campaigners. He has his flaws, but Wisconsin wouldn't be the same without him as senator.

If he runs, he's got me. I can't imagine anyone who could be better. I'll work my tail off for him.

[Gregorian]

8. Thanks you guys.

I swear, I looked for a Fiengold forum. There are just too many forums here.

I appreciate your responses. The impeachment vote is bothersome. But there's a lot of time to do the homework.

[flamingpie2500]

4. the only democrat to vote to impeach Clinton--never

[Magrittes Pipe]

6. The Senate doesn't vote to impeach.

Read the Constitution.

[warpigs]

15. That's not correct - No Dems voted to convict Clinton in the Senate

Here is a link.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/impeachment/

[sybylla]

17. Thanks, warpigs

and welcome to DU! :toast:

[flamingpie2500]

5. in addition to my comment--

Will Feingold's votes cost him? They could. The White House was silently fuming. His own leadership can hardly view him now as a total "team player."

On the other hand, Feingold long ago chose the path of free-lancer-reformer-maverick, not insider-mover-dealmaker; his trial votes just affirmed that.

He takes tough votes, and takes credit for taking them. But it would be hard to argue that Feingold's impeachment votes served his political advancement. They earned him a dose of celebrity, a round of acclaim and a fleeting burst of Republican gratitude. (Said CNN's Pat Buchanan, "From the right, vote Feingold!") But they risked more: Democratic ill will and the irritation of a public that has said, "Enough."

Feingold said he didn't think the votes would damage his relationships with Democratic colleagues, "unless you make a habit of doing things like that for some other agenda."

There was no agenda, he said, other than "I couldn't justify cutting this (trial) off."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/president/0131players.asp

[ClassWarrior]

18. From a commentary by Tom Hayden on Russ' Iraq resolution...

Feingold’s effort is a work in progress. But already he has ended the silence of the Senate and aligned himself with the grass roots majority. Beyond his Iraq initiative, Feingold represents an attractive, progressive profile in courage on other issues. He consistently opposes his colleagues on trade agreements that lack enforceable worker and environmental protections. He was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act. He championed the ban on soft money contributions. He has opposed the death penalty for many years. He fights to reclaim the label “patriot” from the right-wing. He comes from a state with a long history of populism, labor struggles, and isolationism capable of producing both reactionary and progressive populists. He has the qualities of a new Paul Wellstone.

http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=213

NGU.

[safi0]

19. They referred to him

As a new Paul Wellstone, which is kind of strange since he came into office an entire 2 years after Wellstone

[ClassWarrior]

20. Semantics. In other words, he's becoming another Paul Wellstone.

NGU.

[goddess40]

7. as a VP to Gore would be better

but I'd rather see Gore/Edwards

[safi0]

9. I think you need

Atleast one guy who isn't currently a private citizen.

[goddess40]

10. I hadn't thought of that - you may be right

But at least they'd be distanced some what from the crap that's going on now.

[safi0]

12. My history

On this subject only dates back to 1932 and in that election and every single one since there have been atleast one non-private citizen running

[mgnk99]

16. Gore...

Gore never connected to anyone..hes a like frankenstein...now a Feingold/McCain grouping..that would be a for sure winner...to bad it will never happen..that would be a political dream team...but chances of that happening is like Bush becoming a hardcore Liberal.

[shoelace414]

11. I can;'t remember what bill it was but,

other than the patroit act 99-1 (feingold being the one) there was another bill back int he 90's that was something like that where he votes against it because it had the death penalty in it.

[mgnk99]

13. feingold..

good person..great senator..as for president..it would be good..but for 08 it might be to early..i bet he'll finish at like 4 or 3 in the primaries..and then he'll make a push for 2012....far away yes..anything can happen..he might actually be a decent vice president or a sec. for a cabinet level position if a prominent democrat arises for presidency.

[safi0]

14. I think Feingold

Could be a very appealing VP pick for the possible candidate. He offers geogrpahical support in the industrial Midwest, he would solidify the base, and if the candidate is a Governor he'd add some Foreign Policy experience to the ticket

[dandrhesse]

21. Until the voting issues are resolved we will not have a Dem president

Russ Feingold is a good man and I would be happy to see him as our President, but until we acknowledge and address the tabulation problems that exist, we have no vote.