We met with Russ Feingold today to discuss FISA stuff. Nothing extraordinary to report, but we came away with a clearer understanding of what’s going on, both strategically and legislatively.
He was exceedingly cool.
I guess it’s hard for me to get excited about anybody in the presidential race because I never got over the idea of "President Feingold."
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Hi Jane!!!
So succinct and so true.
Nice to see him take the time.
Is he a regular guy?
Ooh, I’m jealous!
Hi Jane. Thank you. Would love to see him as VP or prez.
Hi Jane. Wonder if Feingold is on anybody’s radar as a Veep or Cabinet member?
Simple as pie.
Hi Jane:
This is my first visit to the Lake at night…
Say it with me…
“Edwards/Feingold”
“Clinton/Feingold”
“Obama/Feingold”
take your pick!
(And of course there’s “Mrs. Stephanie Feingold…” But that’s another story entirely…
“Trust Me” doesn’t cut it…
nearly epu’d:
interesting that MSNBC needs the wide-shot to keep both of Noron’s eyes on one screen…
Terrific, Jane.
Did you get any clue as to why he’s so anti-Edwards? Really puzzled me.
I don’t care what title Feingold has….
He still is my fearless leader!!!!
EPU’d
BFL: Excel says: 1,820,531
So right. A genuine leader.
I can’t wait for this year’s listening session with Russ. I may drive the 2+ hours to go to the ones in the two neighboring counties.
Jane,
For your YouTube Jones – check out Still Alive – the closing credit from the video game Portal
Know what, Jane? Senator Feingold wouldn’t be “allowed” to run, even if he was nuts enough to try. He’s clearly not what the real “kingmakers” want in a president.
We met with Russ Feingold today to discuss FISA stuff. Nothing extraordinary to report, but we came away with a clearer understanding of what’s going on, both strategically and legislatively.
He was exceedingly cool.
Would love to hear more, but I have no interest in seeing Feingold relegated to (what should be) a meaningless V.P’s slot…
Welcome Biodin. We have snack food and a juke box here at Late Night.
As much as I’d love to see Russ move to the Executive Branch, I don’t think we have someone else in WI that can get voters from the right to vote for him the way that Russ does. We’re purple, not blue, and red where I live. Russ won areas that Bush won, not many pols here can say that.
I’m thinking a cabinet post?….
What a guy….smart, fearless, and not bad looking…
hmmmm….
hiya betsy. what are we having tonight? whip cream sounds good if you’ve got the fixins in the kitchen.
great video, jane. and great posts all day!
Hey, somebody around here has a birthday tomorrow!
forward dive straight position, splash
so forking what
g’evening all
hey – big “B”!!
sleep cycle screwed up – or just curious?
A Biodun sighting! Welcome :-)
Don’t forget that we don’t want to lose his vote in the Senate. I’d be worried about that. I’d love to have him be President, though. It would be awesome.
Hi Suz
Well, I may have to work tomorrow, so I better head out and see what Jon and Colbert have to say tonight. Thanks all, looking forward to another election night at the Lake :)
OMG, this is unbelievably cool. It’s like we have our own Fire Dog Network. I have not even watched the video yet, but I know I’m gonna love it. There is zippo out there in cable land like what FDL is serving up, not even KO gets these kind of timely, direct-to-the-grassroots interviews.
(Agree with Mauimom @12 that he had a weird anti-John-Edwards bug up his ass last week.)
I think what I like about Russ is that he is direct.
There is no following circuitous logic with him.
“This is where the bear shits in the woods”.
“Questions”?
Boom, done, there it is.
I like that.
… and Jewish and single. Who can arrange an introduction please?
well.. as far as “kingmakers” go, I think that role may very wall fall to Edwards, for what its worth. Gonna be an interesting convention.
Yum! Whip cream… you ought to try “Frosting Pride”…it holds up a hell of a lot better than whip cream and less calories…
(I know people serious people who like to bake desserts)…
i was a member in NJ of a group that worked to get feingold to run as PRES….. but he notified us that he wasnt going to run… broke our hearts….my next choice was sen dodd – he dropped out…. if only feingold had run…… sighhhhhhh
I’m with Jane. Still haven’t gotten over Russ not running. Then there was Dodd. Then there was Edwards . . .
just the latest in a long line of worthies that the sheeple wouldn’t recognize if their life depended on it. (and in some respects it does but they don’t see it)
SO TIRED of holding my nose in the voting booth. And it will happen yet again.
Thanks guys. 1,820,531 that was the Rethug turnout w/ 90% in.
For us, I get 1,626,792.
Whaddya think. about 200,000 less and we had no primary. tere wasn’t much else happening. One ballot question. i think that’s a pretty goo dhsowing by our side. they had a neck & neck race for the most delegates in any primary to date. we had nuthin’. I don’t thibnk it’s bad.
Doubt it’ll be Edwards/Feingold after the way Russ trashed Edwards.
OMG…I would convert if I weren’t married already for that one….
damn….
he came down to austin to help with a fundraiser i was working on for john courage for senate. at the time, i was very disappointed when he said he wasn’t going to run for president. i’m still disappointed he’s not running.
well TB i had a “in” with him early last year…. lol
EPU’d
BFL:
Second set: 1,626,792
oooh … Rachel Maddow just called Joe Lie “the most hated man in American Politics!”
Jane and Feingold in one room … sizzlin’!
Good point.
‘Evening Suz… hopefully the late-pups will cure that seeming lack of enthusiasm. Me – I gotta crash soon – looong day. Five hours of court – the first two of which saw me dressed in khaki’s and a leather jacket – didn’t expect to be in there at all – I thought i was just passing through.
At least at noon I got a chance to go home and dress more respectably..
Aunt Betsy — senatorial trophy wife.
What do you think?
Did you watch the Rudy concession speech?
I don’t think it’s bad at all, especially if none of the D candidates (including Clinton) ran any get-out-the-vote operations (which would have violated their commitment not to campaign in FL)
Does Florida have an open primary?
No.
I was just thinking about that tonight. and IOstarted wondering: Who did I have to hold my nose the hardest to bvote for (for President)? Who the least? It wasn’ty easy. Still don’t think I know. I lean towards Kerry the least. Not because he was that great but bwecause the other side was so evil and in 2000 we learned the value of every vote. The most? I dunno. Probably Jimmy Carter the second time. I held my nose so hard I didn’t vote for him.
jayT I have learned to not even show up at my office without professional dress. Too many times I’ve had impromptu meetings with important people or visitors when I was not dressed quite appropriately enough.
No, closed for both parties.
That’ll work but you’d better have all of us over for tea so we can drool over your husband….
Hey!! I got nit right. (see 38)
Rachel Maddow is the smartest voice currently available on American teevee…
Nope.
AND radio.
that makes way too much sense – not my style – *g*
(arms crossed in front of bazooms)
bfl, did you vote?
Did I leave out the part about working from home at least 1-2 days a week?
I know it’s been said here before many times, but Rachel should have her own show.
Love Rachel…but i won’t be happy until Amy Goodman is on in prime time.
Tis a pity! I wasn’t aware of the trashing. One can’t keep up with everything I guess.
jayt@19 “I have no interest in seeing Feingold relegated to (what should be) a meaningless V.P’s slot”
You have no interest in “Senate president Russ Feingold”? I do!
Gotta go be responsible…Goodnight, all. The best of all possible tomorrows to you all.
Another set of #’s I find interesting:
1) 268,871
2) 235,155
Pretty close, huh?
First is Rudy’s vote total after spending what seems like an eternity here. What? 2,000 TV commercials. It equaled 15%.
Second number = Edwards’s vote total. Zero days in state. Zero TV ads. Zero campaigning. No free media help along the way. 14%.
* (90% of vote in)
Who was Rudy’s campaign manager nationally? That is absolutely pathetic.
I like Amy but I think Rachel is ideal for mass tv … she has that smart but fun tone that makes you willing to listen … I’m so glad she’s getting so much time these days and treated like a peer rather than the odd hippy on the roundtables … she really gives us a voice at the tv table.
I’m only interested in one number – did you vote? (eyes narrowing in addition to arms crossed in front of bazooms)
don’t make me tap my foot young man
Got to vote this Feb. 5th I love Edwards and want to vote for him but maybe I’ll write in Feingold…..
I think Russ needs to do that same Blackberry presentation to the Senate!
Maybe Beerfart Liberal is hiding….
Thanks!
Is Russ married?
Oh, wait. I am.
without a single bawk bawk bawk?
hey biodun
he commented earlier this eve that some foulup prevented him from voting today but he was clear for Nov
he is not.
i am not.
hmmmm.
night all
Smarter than Keith? I say equal, surely, but it’d be hard to be smarter than Keith.
g’nite to the leaving sleepy pups
I know how you feel…what a guy….don’t mind flirting but if it was serious I would so run away….
there ya go. such a nice looking couple you would be.
Glenzilla:
Rudy ran 2,878 spots in January – almost 3,000.
hey mary!
what was feingold saying about edwards? why?
I thought I *was* working from home today – just strolled in to meet the client, reinforce what I’d already told her about the interview she was scehduled to do at 10:00 – yadda-yadda, and get paid – no yadda-yadda – that’s a *good* thing. We were to meet in front of the court where her case is pending – turned out she had an outstanding warrant neither of us knew about – and the court personnel spotted her…
Next thing I know, I’m in front of the judge, apologizing for my appearance, etc.
But hey – how you gonna judge a guy but by the quality of his leather, right? (including the floppy leather fedora)
It’s a look…
Rachel is sooo quick and concise. Her comments are like a knife sometimes. She cuts right through the BS when she’s opposite someone like Matthews or Buchannan.
Nope, Suze. And if ya wana start giving me the civic duty bit, that’s OK. But could you also please also drop Dr. Dean a line and tell him my party has a civic duty to give me an election.
He was not happy about the disconnect he saw between what Edwards has said on the campaign trail and how he actually voted when in the Senate.
This is a fine post, Jane, as far as it goes. Are you going to impart that “clearer understanding of what’s going on, both strategically and legislatively” at some point, or was Russ speaking off the record?
Hey, Biodun, just visiting or are you staying for awhile?
I am surprised he didn’t run 91,1911 spots.
Not so eloquent as Keith, but very few are. She is certainly as smart has he, and is likely more informed on current affairs, which is no criticism of Keith.
Yeah. That it was. I really wanted him to win & really throw that race into more disarray. But he’s a bum.
Well, got to fly from the lake—thanks Jane—-
Good-nite and good luck pups,
Hey Green. Long time no see.
Hey Suzanne…
LOL
It’s bad to hear voices, right?
Finally someone at the table representing our voice, how about an email to MSNBC in support of Rachel?
Are they happy voices?
JANE! I am so bummed that I have just gotten to this thread! I luvs ya, in an entirely nonsexual/ asexual way. I love your wit and your humor, and so much else! “So much else” of course includes your awesome brain, your ability to make things happen, etc. etc.
Congratulations on the meeting, Jane. That, in itself was cool. Sounds like a cool meeting.
thanks, fern
He criticized John for his previous non-progressive votes in the Senate. I get the feeling that Russ speaks directly from his heart, which is why I think they don’t like him. :)
I still have my “Feingold for President” magnet I bought in 2006.
Probably visiting for a while. Feels kinda weird. FDL at night for me…
No. It sounds like: “I’m Rudy Giuliani. And I approved this meaasge.”
Make it stop!!!!! Somebody!! Please!!! Make it stop!!!!
Clinton is nominated.
The repugs cheat and win.
Plausible deniability.
Obama is nominated.
The repugs cheat and win.
Plausible deniability.
Edwards is nominated.
The repugs can’t cheat.
No plausible deniability.
In that case, hearing voices is very bad.
where’s the FL people here — or anybody for that matter. Did Senator Spaceman vote the right way on cloture yesterday?
yup, i’ve got a feingold for president button.
Good night all.
I haven’t heard it today. I just have afeeling it’s over. Just one big bad dream. And that hideous face.
just more freewheeling, off topic encouraged, music playing, community building, and general blowing off the crap of the day so we can fight tomorrow, biodun. kinda like school when there is a substitute teacher.
g’nite LL
aint that the truth?
But no “you didn’t do your civic duty that people have died to protect” lectures allowed.
A glass of red wine will help…*g*
still looking for snack, but in the meantime, entertain yourselves with this.
http://www.dudehisattva.com/he…..dy%201.jpg
or a hot toddy on such a cold winters nite
It’s bad to hear voices, right?
Nah, don’t worry about it -it’s character-building.
You might wanna be careful about which ones ya listen to, however.
Self-emanating voices -> no problem.
Others -> I can recommend several good medications… *g*
Funny. He knows how to bring the terrorists to their knees.
OK. Got it. Tonight’s snack:
Time to slice and devour the republican party.
Rush Limbaugh, the most influential conservative in America said a McCain candidacy will destroy the Republican Party.
The countdown clock has begun.
Fire away GOoPers.
-G
Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman has been taking heat for months about the clash with the national party that cost the state its 210 delegates and sparked a candidate boycott.
But Tuesday night, she said the primary had “exceeded my expectations.”
“We’re going to wind up with 1.5 million or maybe even 2 million Democrats voting,” Thurman said. “I certainly think we’ve had an election in which Democrats showed up and were enthusiastic.
“My job now is to take this excitement and move it to November,” she added.
More FL turnout news for tbe election that wasn’t.
It sure is freezing here in MN. -10 right now and wind chill factor is -35 or so… I might not step out of the house tomorrow. Supposed to be worse.
Romney aired over 4,000 tv ads to McCains 400+.
Perot and Forbes proved that it takes more than money.
Institutional backing is crucial.
-G
I’m gone..
night all…
has to be blamed on someone and since boosh is above blame, they gave it to the guy he hugged and whose birthday he celebrated while a city drowned.
yup, i’ve got a feingold for president button.
I made the mistake of choosing one that says
D’oh! I should have left off the year.
Oh, fun at the WaPo chatz tomorrow at noon:
g’nite jay t
too forking cold for me, biodun (shrudder) enough folks say i’ve already got a heart of solid ice
the cake is adorable.
Nite Jayt.
-G
I fear their warning of an another executive order.
Don’t cry, Rudy.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com…..000184.jpg
oh gee, my opportunity to have my question sandwiched in between ones from pammy. oh joy (/s)
nite all. i just stayed up waiting for the cake.
You’re shitting me!
thanks GW
McCain is going to destroy the Republican Party.
Rinse and repeat.
-G
Hey GregB- report from the Granite State? Is Sununu done?
g’nite gw
If anybody evah says that again I will beat ‘em up.
In a word, no.
Apparently Bush and Cheney hate McCain and prefer Romney, which I find strange because McCain is positioned much better to attract both independent and democratic votes than Romney.
Hey Biodun! (author of awesome blog post!)
I got caught up in FDL and all this evening … when I was out earlier it was like 50 degrees … about an hour ago, the doorbell rang (friend of daughter arriving) and there was a blizzard and soooo cold. Good lord!
Happily, our office is still under construction so I get to work from home until sometime late February … brrrrrr
Larry King just introduced Ari Fleischer as “our old friend.”
Puke.
I’m turning the TV off.
As TSF asked, “Why isn’t Ari in prison for treason?”
Liz Cheney endorsed Romney yesterday, after Fred08 dropped out. Her every move seems dictated by Daddy Darth.
These were the figures in the Orlando Fishwrap-Sentinel-Whatever the Chicago Tribune Tells Us To Print:
Giuliani has spent more on television advertising that either of the Republican front-runners, according to the television tracking Nielsen Co., airing 2,878 spots in January, compared with 1,392 for Romney and a modest 470 for McCain.
Maybe that was only Central Florida (??)
Teddy!
Agree.
Although different night FDL subculture, people are more civil than I expected… But then again maybe it gets rougher later on… The night is young, 11:04 PM CT.
Remarkably bad sense of timing on her part.
Brrrrr. I lived in Minnesota as a kid (Bemidji), and I remember days when schools and businesses were closed. I remember 40 below with a wind chill.
would you expect a repub girlie to think for herself?
We should send Ari a singing telegram.
And we could ask for the Why Aren’t You in Prison for Treason song.
I can think of one who does…
Me too.
I’ll meet’em behind the Safeway, ese.
(laughing) they have better be forking civil, biodun
tex, i’m a republican girlie and i can think all by myself
The Republican party is already destroyed.
I’m goin’. Thanks for sparin’ me the lecture, Suze. Truth is a Firepup from FL talked me into voting but there was a problem with which precint I was supposed to be in and I couldn’t. Gonna fix that for the general and vote early & often.
but do the repub elite think that you can?
Hi Siun! You’re in IL, yes? Chicago? We get the same kinda weather…
Giuliani is on BBC World Service Radio now…
Why does everyone, including Feingold side-step the REAL issue here? As it stood in 2006, the FISA court allowed up to 72 hours of intrusive investigation IN ADVANCE of a warrant. The Administration’s argument that they need unfettered access to the ENEMY doesn’t hold water. How many goddamn days do the various and sundry agencies need to apprehend a terrorist?
It’s simple – they catch the bastards on Monday, then they get a warrant on Tuesday. What’s so hard about that to understand?
Feingold, for all of his puffery, is not being honest here.
Yay BFL!
She’s a putz.
Just when we are all ready to demonize the GOPs, Suzanne steps in to remind us that there are good GOPs.
Who ya gonna vote for, Suz?
Honey, you are not a girl. You are a woman.
Can I hear you roar?
hello neuro
Doesn’t seem strange to me. The Bushies have always been 50%+1 guys, never much interested in getting any support from independents and Democrats.
Also, Froomkin chatz at 1pm
Questions accepted anytime
But Bob Dylan says it gets hot in the summer there and the misquitoes are so big they’ll bite through your boots. Sounds like you can put them in the yard to guard the house.
i haven’t figured out yet where my r vote will do the most damage, teddy. may need some help figuring that one out
Mitt
Gross oversimplification.
i was thinking it was gonna have to choose between three and now its gonna be down to two.
decisions, decisions, decisions
It’s MO-squitioes, no? Not MIS-quitoes, like I put. right? Fuck it. Spellin’ don’t count.
Fuck that noise. (Puts BlackBerry away)
Why goodness gracious me – what’s this on the Florida ballot?
Well – dear me – just some piffle about funding public services – you know – the sort of boring inside politics that only helps the sick, the poor, the elderly.
And – due to its trivial nature – has been statewide news for weeks.
Here in CA, we still haven’t recovered from the property tax cuts (courtesy of Southern Pacific and other megacorp property owners) of Prop 13 and evil progeny.
Three decades later, those cuts literally kill Californians every day of the year.
Property tax cuts are what Grover Norquist clamps around governments’ necls to drown them in the bathtub.
I can not comprehend how anyone who purports concern about politics (much less those who wish to be known as “liberal”) – would abdicate their franchise on such basic issues as funding of state services.
Mosquitoes.
Bloody stupid way to make budget decisions.
Good Lord.
My forkin’ cat has been in heat fer two days and here I am cooped up in the house with the yowlin’ little wannabe party girl.
I called the vet Monday morning ASAP and she said, well we have anopening Thursday.
WHAT?!!!!!
THURSDAY?!!
OH HELL NO, I am not listening to this FOR 3 DAYS!
Tomorrow, Kitty go bye bye, get fixed.
Until then it’s headphone city.
RoooaaaAAARRR!
“necks”, not “necls”.
Jeebus.
18 new blog posts and news items just posted.
How old is the kitty?
KPIG
Board her. In solitary.
tex, see what a quiet house can do for your productivity? dayam, that’s a lot of work :)
16 months.Little party girl done got knocked up once already, had 5 kittens.
NO MAS!
Unless 50% + 1 is a longshote. The Republican vote in the primaries is WAY DOWN. Barack got more votes in SC than all the Republican candidates combined.
Thanks.
Haven’t been lonely yet. Went swimming after tutoring today and came home exhausted. Tomorrow I teach until 6:15. Then Texteen is back for a few days.
you should have taken care of that then, dood.
Yes maam, I kick myself now,hard.
Gonna take care of that.
i learned to love the sounds of silence, tex. and you still have texteen hanging out so its not like you are solo 24/7.
lower please
still going to take some getting used to
Barack got more votes in SC than all the Republican candidates combined.
Not quite. :) He got more votes than the top two Republicans combined. The turnout numbers were incredible, though.
Hey Gurrrls, you go! Behind the Safeway, I’m there.
I’m six foot tall, how much lower ya want?
Nevermind, Let me guess.
that it does, tex, that it does (deep sigh)
My “momma kitty” (Filbert) had a planned date with the Maine Coon next door – and brought lovely, wanted kittens into my home.
The kitties – all indoor – stayed with me plan.
Many months later Cloud (the only girl kitty) was in a “family way”.
When I took her to vet, we discussed the – er – lineage.
He started humming the banjo tune from Deliverance….
and asked if the kitties had kin in West Viginia
(shhh – don’t tell Christy).
hey christine e
Don’t know if this was brought up before, but OpenLeft has an amazing story about Al Wynn filing an FEC complaint against an array of mainstream liberal groups supporting Donna Edwards, with essentially no evidence whatsoever. He literally says the phrase “vast left-wing conspiracy” to reporters.
He’s pulled plenty of dirty tricks before, but his polling numbers must be pretty scary if he’s willing to attack EMILY’s List to try to get one more term.
Hugs good night, all.
We be a gang.
OK, this sets up a McCaion nomination:
these are desperate times
good night, Loo Hoo – pleasant dreams.
g’nite loohoo
Nite loo Hoo.
I agree it’s stupid, but I don’t think Bush is the sort to ever forgive anything, like McCain running against him in 2000 or daring to defy him (however ineffectually) on torture. And he’s given every indication that he cares about himself above all else, including above the fortunes of the Republican Party. So even if McCain has the best chance to win, he’d rather desperately push a guy who will at least pretend never to disagree with him.
Linky for my 208: http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin…..-Poll.html
Hey, Suz,
Big winds here (ah, no, not politicians, but real winds).
fork, here’s the real link. sorry for the screwup on that folks,
That fits with what I’ve read everywhere, too. That’s why I was hoping that Romney would win. Easier to beat. P.S. I think it might be a good idea to keep the leadership of the armed forces in civilian hands as it was always meant to be.
And on that note, I’m gonna hit the hay. Night all.
i no want wind of either kind. real wind usually means i lose power :( and i got a furnace and don’t need any more hot air
Perhaps he prefers HRC over McCain.
I once knew a girl in high school who kept a knife in her bra — or SO it was said…
OK, here we go:
we be bad girls
Gnite Ann.
Winds, rain, a bit of hail here.
And it was about 50 degrees last night. I keep thinking it feels like tornado weather; very unsettling.
g’nite ann
G’nite, Ann – sleep well!
You betcha
E-mail from Admiral McCnnell over at NSA:
‘Every move you make every breath you take I’ll be watching you’
Already?
Hey Margot,
Severe thunderstorms in Lorraine County. It is raining like bitch here, and the winds are sort of scary. And those Christmas lights I failed to take down in the backyard are dancing up a storm.
tis in his ipod top ten i’m sure
A real favorite — check out those violinists!
Fern, it’s just that warm weather spell right before the sky turns yellow and it rains and hails and the tree hits the house sort of thing (that happened to us 10 years ago).
Chris, I know what you mean, I’m sitting here all hyper-alert.
I can see that being the operative principle – everyone else exists to agree with him – if you don’t, you must be wrong.
yikes, be careful
We’ve had a pretty easy winter so far, and it bores people to death who don’t experience freaky snows in April. Anyway, I love the snow here, and don’t miss the terrible summer humidity in the east where I lived for almost 30 years. So miss the ocean, though.
Anyway, goodbye Rudy. JRE — still love you and hope this next few months of primary might boost your numbers.
That why I always plant shrub
Hard for me to compute – thunderstorms in January. We’ve had temps of -45C with the windchill last couple of days. Blizzard conditions last night.
we’ve been very cold (for us). there was a chance of snow up in the northbay (sf bay) today.
Edwards/Obama 2008!
Snowed up in Auburn and Placerville. Next it will be us.
hey npb
Feingold/Feingold 2008
Evening Suz what the temp in the hills tonight… it is 43 down here already
I’m in Ohio, and believe me this is not normal for us. Usually this is when we get big snows and -0 temps.
39.9, damp in a foggy drizzle kinda deal, and the air has a real bite that usually means below freezing tonight
Edwards came to visit our impoverished city of Cleveland and spent time here with neighbors victimized by the subprime mortagage criminals. We loved him for it.
Shiny (almost) new thread upstairs, pups…
Ouch keep warm!
I am quite taken with both John and Elizabeth Edwards as my parents were with Jack & Jackie Kennedy.
NPB as a kid I got to see the whole Kennedy clan every ST patty day in the parade… He was and still is my hero…same B-day and all
Used to love Russ Feingold. Thought he was a “true progressive” and all that jazz. Gave money to his Progressive Patriots Fund.
Then, Russ opened his yap and pissed on John Edwards. (Still, even before that, I’ve never wanted to “date” Russ. ?? I didn’t see the Senator from Wisconsin as e-Harmony or Match.com material. But that’s just weird me.)
Others on this wide-ranging and largely off-topic thread mentioned it, too.
I scrolled thru all the comments here but saw NO real answers from Russ Interviewer Jane or anyone else on the above questions about “just how progressive Mr. Wonderful Feingold really is.”
I have told Feingold’s money and petition-signature email harvesters they get no more activism, time or money from me … till they explain Russ’ Brain Fart that caused him to piss on John Edwards …. giving all the other scam dancing presidential wannabes who parse, shuck and jive their lobbyist payola and principles to death a great big hypocritical Feingold free pass.
‘Course the Feingold emailers have not replied to either gimme email (on Progressive Patriots Fund and on his belated FISA petitioning).
Agreed. And I never wanted to date him!!
MeDaVinci -
John Edwards, like him or hate him (and I like him, and he’s my current choice for President), is no Progressive. He may be as close as we can get, but he is miles away from Progressive.
What you’re pissed about is Russ speaking his mind.
No, newtonusr, I’m pissed about public figures who speak their minds irrationally, with the potential of being listened to only because they are “public figures.” Whether or not Edwards meets your or my or Russ’ litmus test for “progressive” is not the source of my piss off. It’s Russ Brain Farting on one candidate’s lack of Feingold Progressive Purity … while giving ALL the other clowns who are far less progressive a pass.
If that constitutes “Russ speaking his mind” then Mr. Feingold sits on his.
Edwards sat when he should have stood up.
If pointing this out makes Russ irrational, so be it.
I am puzzled about the timing, but I won’t castigate Feingold for it.
Feingold has earned his Progressive stripes. Edwards, not so much.
And standing on principle shouldn’t be such a foreign concept to us. We should demand it every day.
Regrets, newtonuser, but you are only arguing the non-issue here — what percentage progressive Edwards is or is not.
Twice now you have widely sidestepped what I said was THE issue and what I stated was the source of my piss off with Feingold.
Namely …
From my post 252:
Russ’ Brain Fart that caused him to piss on John Edwards …. giving all the
other scam dancing presidential wannabes who parse, shuck and jive their
lobbyist payola and principles to death a great big hypocritical Feingold
free pass.
From my post 254:
Whether or not Edwards meets your or my or Russ’ litmus test for “progressive” is not the source of my piss off. It’s Russ Brain Farting on one candidate’s lack of Feingold Progressive Purity … while giving ALL the other clowns who are far less progressive a pass.
So you can come back with more evidence of why Edwards sat when he should have stood … has not earned progressive stripes like Feingold et cetera et cetera.
Which would make Ignoring the Core Issue (reprinted above, twice) a hat trick.
TexBetsy,
I was wondering if you were feeling almost like an empty-nester. Enjoy the calm when you can! Still, I can understand that empty feeling…
Bob in HI
Check out Progressive Punch, which rates Feingold as 22nd with a progressive score of 89.47%. However, check the scoring basis. To see how all of the senators rank, look here. By this reckoning, Feingold is more progressive than Clinton or Obama, and you may be surprised by Obama’s score. But again, take a look at how they construct their score, and take a look at the issues on which they are graded.
Bob in HI
Well, no. I just don’t care.
You’re caught up in what Feingold said about your guy (who is also my guy), and I care about other things. You’re caught up in the lack of equity, and I don’t care about that. I never meant to engage what you consider the main issue of your post. I don’t care about someone saying “He’s picking on John!” I was very clear – I simply opined on the Progressive credentials of the players, and the reason, as I see it, for your fury.
Did Senator Feingold distort Edwards voting record in any way? And had Edwards been a stronger contender in this election, would you have faulted his opponents for pointing these things out?
What I do care about is that John Edwards has had very few cards he could play in this whole campaign, and when he was dealt a full house, he folded. I feel terrible that we now seem to be left with another Democratic slate from which to choose the candidate we detest least. But John Edwards needs to help himself where he can.
Perhaps Edwards got paddled by Feingold in part for not taking advantage of a natural opportunity. He could have had it all, indeed a very rare opportunity in Presidential politics – he could have been on the right side of the FISA issue, he could have shown something to Progressives in the US without alienating his more conservative supporters, and he could have pointed at the two front-runners and exposed them for the craven pols they are.
And part of the reason that Clinton and Obama scurried to weigh in on FISA is because Hillary got her ass kicked and needed to lead on something. Obama had to follow her back. I would have been proud if Edwards had lashed both of them mercilessly, possibly driving them back to DC and being way out front.
Edwards voting record, while not admirable from a Progressive standpoint, is a heck of a lot better than Clinton’s and Obama’s in my opinion. I’ll bet Feingold expected more from him, as did I.
This is Major League ball, and Edwards knows how to play. I just wish he had.
Yes, grossly oversimplified, yet accurate, and a consistent viewpoint with opponents of expanded surveillance as it applies to FISA.