True, Russ didn't say it exactly like that, but there's no doubt that's the sentiment he had in mind when he gave a
speech at the National Press Club.
"We must get out of our political foxholes and be willing to clearly and specifically point out what a strategic error the Iraq invasion has been," Feingold, D-Wis., told a National Press Club audience.
He said some Democrats in Congress gave in to "intimidation" by the Bush administration when they voted to authorize the war in 2002, and warned: "If we do not show both a practical and emotional readiness to lead in the fight against terrorism, we will lose in '06 and we will lose in '08, just like we did in '02 and '04."
More below.
This is what Democrats not part of the Washington establishment crave most from our leaders. Stand for something! Proclaim it loud and often! If it happens to be something that puts you into conflict with Republicans, even better!
The biggest complaint I hear among apathetic voters (and in my mid-20's I'm friends with quite a few) is that they don't see a real difference between Democrats and Republicans. When I begin pointing out those differences, they usually interrupt and say "Well, why don't they stand up for their beliefs?" At this point I usually have to sigh and say "Because they're Democrats, but that doesn't mean they're wrong."
But they don't know because they aren't informed. As much as I would like to blame the "conservative media bias," there are plenty of other ways Democratic politicians could get their message out: by holding public events to discuss issues in the 200+ days each year they're not actually doing anything, or by more op-eds in their local newspapers, or national newspapers. Interview more with local media. There are dozens of ways other than Sunday morning talk shows, Hardball, etc. to get your message out there.
A great chance to stand up for something would be to go back into secret session to discuss why the intelligence committee report that was due 3 weeks after Reid and Durbin invoked "Rule 21" in early November wasn't delivered. They could also slow down the Senate by following all proper procedures, ensuring debate on every motion brought to the floor, etc. At the very least Democrats should bring up the fact that it appears to be pushed back until after ANOTHER set of elections, meaning the absolute earliest we'll see this report is about the time the Cubs win the World Series.
Oh, as far as 2008 goes, according to the article, Russ claims he hasn't decided to run for President in 2008.
Feingold, who insists he won't think about a presidential run until after this year's congressional elections, nonetheless made a few joking references to a potential campaign.
Asked whether he and his campaign finance reform ally, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have talked about their respective presidential ambitions, Feingold deadpanned, "I think he'd beat me in Wisconsin."