Many of us here at DailyKos including Kos himself have been talking about candidates earning our support in 2008 by working for it in 2006. For example, a Warner candidacy gains from having Kaine and Webb win in Virginia. Bayh benefits if he can deliver some of the IN-6,7,8,9 seats to Democrats. Even HRC gets credit if she builds a turnout machine to turn upstate New York blue.
But how do we judge someone like Russ Feingold? And how does this affect his chances in 2008?
...the outcome of this November's elections could determine whether [Feingold] runs for president in 2008."
(If you have more interest in a potential Feingold candidacy , head over to RussForPresident.com
Yesterday Sen. Feingold delivered an
address in Philadelphia about restoring American democracy. This was the third in a series of MoveOn speehes for a positive progressive agenda for this country. But, the news
reports covered one other aspect of the speech.
...the outcome of this November's elections could determine whether [Feingold] runs for president in 2008."
Part 1: Working for Democrats
Feingold has dedicated himself to electing a Democratic House and Senate in 2006. He has held voting on "Progressive Patriots" to be support by his PAC the Progressive Patriots Fund.
The candidates selected thus far:
John Courage, Bill Winter, Jerry McNerney, Patty Wetterling
Phil Angelides and Rich Olive (Iowa State Senate)
Sherrod Brown
Thats 7 candidates who received significant fundraising help and a vist from Russ. However, these are most important because they show Feingold's willingness to let the Netroots in on the decision process. He's also supporting a number of other candidates like Ned Lamont with contributions and visits.
But, a more siginificant and less publicized step has been the creation of the Patriots Corps. Sen. Feingold recruited and trained 20 staff members to send out to races across the country to help democrats. Video of all the Patriots Corps Members and Sen. Feingold's introduction are all available on-line.
Part 2: Evidence of support for his agenda
There's no doubt Sen. Feingold has been helping Democrats across the country for this upcoming race. But, the question is, whose victory shows support for a Feingold agenda. What is the Feingold agenda? It's our progressive, netroots agenda.
Campaign Finance Reform. Censure and Investigations of President Bush. Withdrawal from Iraq. Changing the Patriot Act. Fair - not free trade. And it goes on.
The candidates who best embody these ideas?
Bernie Sanders, Ned Lamont, Jon Tester.
If these three win I think it suggests there is serious demand for a legitimate progressive candidacy by Russ in 2008.
Agree? Disagree? Help convince Russ to Run, Russ, Run?