Feingold could lead Senate Foreign Relations

[babylonsister]

Feingold could lead Senate Foreign Relations
By Walter Alarkon
Posted: 11/06/08 06:27 PM


Vice President-elect Joe Biden leaves an open chairmanship on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that could end up being filled by one of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), among the chamber’s most liberal members, is the fourth Democrat in line on the committee, behind Biden, Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.) and Sen. John Kerry (Mass.).

Dodd said Thursday he plans to stay on as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Kerry is reportedly lobbying to be President-elect Barack Obama’s Secretary of State.

That leaves Feingold, an unapologetic champion of civil liberties and a staunch opponent of the Bush administration’s war in Iraq, next in line. Feingold opposed the war from the start and was the first senator to call for a U.S. troop withdrawal timetable.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/outspoken-feingold-could-lead-senate-foreign-relations-2008-11-06.html

[Maat]

1. Yahoo!

I can hope and pray.

[Mike 03]

2. I'd love to see him in the cabinet, or in charge of some other high-level responsibilities.

The guy's absolutely brilliant, and fearless too.

[babylonsister]

7. I wouldn't. We need him in the Senate. nt

[TwilightZone]

3. That would be great.

As an added bonus, it would be pretty tough for "us" to whine about that one from an ideological standpoint.

Edit: clarification.

[mikelgb]

4. That would be awesome, but I hope he tries for Majority Leader

[damntexdem]

5. No, no more senators! Even with Dem guvs, it weakens future prospects for keeping the seat.

How about Bill Clinton as head of the VA? He's a veteran of many affairs. ;-)

[babylonsister]

6. This is a committee within the Senate; a senator is usually in charge of it. nt

[peacetalksforall]

8. Isn't he on the Judiciary Comm? Canhe do both? I want him on Judiciary - it will be a very

key Committee.

[babylonsister]

9. I think he can be on both committees-yes, he can. Biden was...

http://biden.senate.gov/committee_work/

Senator Biden serves on two major committees: the Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Senator Biden is currently the Chairman of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, and a member of the International Anti-Piracy Caucus, the Senate Anti-Meth Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

[karynnj]

12. Every Senator is on about 4 commitees. They can be chair of just one

but they will chair sub-committees of the others.

(Out of Laziness, I'll use Kerry as an example - He is chair of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, he is now 2nd on SFRC, 3rd on Finance and 3rd (I think) on Commerce. ) There is a good chance that he will stay and be head of SFRC. Given Kennedy's health, he may prefer that - even though he would be fantastic as Secretary of State.)

[DireStrike]

10. Ah, now there's a good progressive bone-toss. I hope it works out this way.

[stillcool]

11. edit

[Dennis Donovan]

13. Russ is the perfect replacement for Joe! Just Perfect!

Recommended!:thumbsup:

[nam78_two]

14. Excellent.nt

[MiniMe]

15. I think Feingold would be a great choice, however, I am against raiding

the Senate for cabinet positions. We just lost 2 Senators, and it was well worth it. But we don't know what we will get with their replacements.

[babylonsister]

16. This is not a cabinet position. nt

[MiniMe]

17. Not Feingold, Kerry being SOS. That is what would have to happen for

Feingold to be up for the position.

[babylonsister]

18. Gotcha. Hmmm.

I agree with you about not draining the Senate, but I also so want Obama to have an outstanding Cabinet. Another 'wait and see' moment.