Feingold 2008?

Russ Feingold continues to tug and pull at the Democratic right, attempting to shine the spotlight on the 800 pound gorilla in the room: The President of the United States broke the law, and continues to break the law, violating fundamental constitutional rights, while the Democrats finish their posturing as tough on national security vis-à-vis the bogus security issue of Dubai and wait for the Republicans to take the lead on the next Bush stumble.

Even with the Republican party wallowing in scandal (Abramof-gate, Plame-gate), open revolt among the ranks (the religious right on Harriet Meirs, congressional GOPers on Dubai, George F. Will, Wm. F. Buckley, and a growing list of neo-cons opposing the war, etc. etc.), Cheney shooting a guy in the head and chest, and the worst polling numbers since Nixon, even with all that, the Democrats aren't willing to take the opening and define a new message.

Only Russ Feingold is willing to stand alone (again), this time calling for Censure of Bush for the NSA's domestic spying.

As predictable as the Republican's response was, it was most galling to see the Democratic response—or lack thereof. So far only Tom Harkin and Russ Feingold seem to be willing to define a leading edge of a more assertively dovish, civil-libertarian policy package to counter the insane, fear-based myth of a national security state offered by the Republicans (and willingly abetted by the Dems).

I'm still waiting for the putative '08 Dems (Hillary? JFKerry? Obama?!?) to take a clear constitutional case against the Eternal Warfare and Surveilence State. Right now I'm wondering if the Dems can even take back a single house of Congress. Even as the Republicans themselves abondon that profligate wastrel son-of-a-Bush, how can the party of FDR have become nothing but an echo chamber of the Republican party, only challenging the President when the Republicans do first?

I smell a weak showing in '06 and defeat in '08 without stronger leadership on every issue, but especially civil liberties and peace (both prime political openings and righteous issues). Hopefully Russ Feingold will start a trend.

•  All i wanna say is

  the title of your diary sums it all up:
  Feingold. 2008.

  by weathercoins on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 08:47:49 PM PDT

•  Something terribly unpopular...

  *...that needs to be said.*

  The name "Feingold" sounds Jewish.

  If he's the candidate, it is 100% certain that the following will happen:

  One, the religious-extremist-right will resort to truly slimy anti-semitic bigotry, covert or overt, subtle or otherwise.  

  Two, the entire climate of religious intolerance in this country will become even more shrill than it is now.  

  Three, the Republicans will use this just as they did the Willie Horton issue against Dukakis, and the gay marriage issue against more recent D candidates.

  Four, the Republicans will win the White House again.  

  And if you don't think so, just go back and re-read some of the rightie rhetoric.  Those people will stop at nothing, including leveraging bigotry and other vileness to their advantage.  

  The ONLY thing that's important in 2008 is winning by a sufficient landslide that there is no way the election can be Diebolded.  There are plenty of viable candidates out there.  Don't give the rightie-wingers an excuse.  

  If this sounds like pre-emptive surrender or caving in to bigotry, then go ahead and be a purist -and you may as well vote for Ralph Nader.  

  by G2geek on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 09:26:25 PM PDT

  •  Goddamit, enough already!

    Feingold "sounds Jewish"?  Who the hell cares except the people who will NEVER vote for a Democrat anyway.
    As Bobby Kennedy once said of a bigoted voter bloc, "I don't WANT their votes."

    Those bastards will find "reasons" to attack any Democratic nominee.   Even the Republican Lites.

    So take some spinal viagra injections, stop playing this perpetual Groundhog Day retreat everytime you see your shadow, and take it to these fascists!

    And your last comment about "purists"  is a cheap shot.  Funny how only the fascists and corporate thugs get to vote for THEIR pure candidates.  

    We, on the other hand,  are force fed a milquetoast and pabulum diet, and when we complain about the same old bad food,  we're called "purists."

    by waltkra on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 09:45:01 PM PDT

    •  indeed!

      there have already been two diaries perpetuating the bigotry...

      http://www.dailykos.com/...

      it's maddening

      by Cedwyn on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 10:00:23 PM PDT

  •  Until

    Until you can tell me a policy reason why Russ Feingold should not be president, give it up.

    Bubba Joe the pigfucking bigot is not the boss of me, and I am not giving him/her my country without a fight. That not only means refusing to vote republican, it means not settling for a so-called democrat who will sell me down the river in a heartbeat.

    You do what you want to.

    by zett on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 10:46:10 PM PDT

    •  I love your sig.

      Quite cool.

      is there also a var. Conyersii?

      by Nobby on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 10:47:19 PM PDT

      •  Thanks

        There is indeed such a variant.  I am quite admiring of that one as well.

        by zett on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 03:45:22 AM PDT

  •  John Kerry 'sounds French'

    Let's not use the tactics of the GOP, nor worry too much about their spin/Swiftboating--we will not be able to avoid said spin. There will be some nasty smear they perpetrate. No help for it.

    Trying to imagine what it will be and how to counter it seems useful; flinching away from it, at this point, isn't; they are deploying contradictory pieces of propaganda about Democrats; they are telling outright lies--we can't allow fear of their propaganda machine to dictate our strategies.

    by Nobby on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 10:46:29 PM PDT

  •  Wow...

    This is pure DLC party-line bullshit.

    In the last two presidential elections, we've let the Republicans set the tone. And we've lost. The dems can't run somebody whose name sounds Jewish? Give me a break!

    With that logic, they can't run Hillary, of course (here comes the lesbian canard), or anybody who is not a pro-war, anti-civil liberties WASP who killed commies in 'Nam (and didn't live to regret it).

    Come on, people, wake up! Grow a spine and fight back. It's time for a resurgent left to set the tone: universal health care, living wage jobs, first-rate education, and protection of civil liberties. Might as well vote Nader? Shit, if you are willing to cede all our core issues, you might as well vote Republican.

    (BTW, if the Dems nominated a DLC corporatist again, I'd be willing to voter for Nader again.)

    by HockeyMonkey on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 08:25:03 AM PDT

•  He's got my vote

  If I'm lucky enough to still have Russ Feingold on the Democratic primary ballot here in Ohio in 2008, he will most definitely receive my vote.  He's about the only one these days actually willing to take a stand on an issue, no matter how unpopular.  

  by buckeyestateliberal58 on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 09:28:03 PM PDT

•  Feingold in the States

  If you live in Massachusetts, go to Mass for Feingold and join our mailing list. If you live in another state, go to Russ for President, sign up, find your state along the left-hand side, and follow the link. If your state doesn't have a pro-Feingold group yet, start your own.

  by boot1780 on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 09:57:53 PM PDT

•  Actually...

  Didn't Kerry stand with Feingold on this one?

  I'm perfectly willing to criticize him when he's done something wrong--like that Patriot Act vote, WTF?? But not to criticize him wholesale.

  If he didn't back Russ on this one, forget I said it--you're right to hold him accountable.

  If he did--I don't really care whether he's the one leading the charge or if Russ is.

  by Nobby on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 10:43:52 PM PDT

•  Quote of the Day - Specter against censure

  "The president may be wrong," Mr. Specter said, "but he has acted in good faith."

  http://www.nytimes.com/...

  What absolute bullshit.

  It's the, "but Dubya means well" defense.

  They are admitting the man is either a liar, or dumb as a bag of rocks.

  Neither is good.

  by greendem on Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 11:44:04 PM PDT

•  Plain and simple.

  If they run a Hillary, Warner, or anyone who supports DLC policy, I'm not voting.  If they run Feingold or a "real" democrat, I'll vote, volunteer and send money.  I have already cancelled my Democracy bond (sorry howard) - but screw them.

  by dkmich on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 03:43:40 AM PDT