Senator,
There was a time when I supported censuring Bush and Cheney: as a shot across the WH bow, to give Bush and Cheney pause, to bring impeachable evidence to light, to alert the public to the gravity of the administration's mendacity and lawlessness.
But those reasons no longer apply. There is more than adequate evidence to support impeachment. Bush and Cheney have pushed all their chips all-in; a censure resolution will not affect their behavior. And the American people, by and large, get it. They don't need Russ Feingold to tell them this is a dishonest and lawless administration.
Senator, what history are you worried about? How history will judge the Bush administration? I doubt it. Bush's presidency will be recorded as a massive failure regardless of whether he is censured by you.
Somehow, I think you are worried about how history will judge YOU. When America needed you most. When the country was faced with an out of control Executive. When the President and Vice President of the United States committed acts that you believed to be impeachable offenses. What did you DO? Isn't that the historical question that you are worried about Senator? That YOU will be found wanting by historians?
Well, despite my deep respect for you over the years, I am obligated to inform you that a belated and ineffectual call for a censure is unlikely to spare you or the rest of the Democratic Party from a harsh historical judgment. Historians will ask "What did Feingold do?" Not "What did Feingold say?" The answer is not going to be pretty.
Senator, if you want to spare your legacy, the time to ACT is now. If you are going to take impeachment off the table, then you have an obligation to do everything in your power to STOP Bush and Cheney from any further catastrophic decisions between now and January of 2009. And while there are many areas where Bush and Cheney can still do tremendous damage to America, one sticks out like a sore thumb:
IRAN
For God's sake, Senator, if nothing else, do not get played like a cheap banjo on Iran. (Or, in the alternative, don't lie to us about it).
Here is your take on the recent Lieberman Amendment on Iran:
While I don’t agree with Senator Lieberman when it comes to Iraq, his amendment having to do with Iran offered yesterday was not controversial because it basically just required a report on Iran’s role in Iraq and any responses by the US government.
by Senator Russ Feingold on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 01:29:57 PM PDT]
This is utter nonsense. Indeed, is it even possible for you to believe that this administration would return to Congress for approval prior to attacking Iran? After all your strong words about their mendacity and lawlessness, do you seriously believe that Dick Cheney and George Bush would seek YOUR approval before attacking Iran? If so, Senator, I suggest you resign now and let a grown-up take charge of the situation.
Bottom line, Senator: forget about a censure. Stop talking and start doing. Whether by impeachment or other means, you must STOP this administration and not merely record your disapproval for posterity.