Feingold's Vote

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, a progressive icon who briefly considered seeking the Democratic presidential nomination himself, said he voted in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary for Barack Obama.

Asked directly about his choice, Feingold answered directly.

"I voted for Barack Obama," said the senator, who indicated that he was "extremely likely" to cast his superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention for his colleague from Illinois.

Feingold is still blunt about his differences on particular issues -- such as trade policy -- with both of the remaining Democratic candidates.

"I said I would be highly likely to vote (as a superdelegate) for anybody who did very, very well in Wisconsin," said Feingold, who noted that Obama won 58 percent of the vote in the state and carried 62 of 72 counties.

But this is not merely an attempt by the senator who cast a lonely vote against the Patriot Act in 2001, proposed the first timeline for bringing the troops home from Iraq and sought to censure President Bush over the warrantless wiretapping program, to reflect his state's sentiments.

"I really do think that, at the gut level, this is a chance to do something special," Feingold said of the Obama campaign and the potential of an Obama presidency, which he said has "enormous historical opportunities for America and for our relationship with the world."

Feingold expressed high regard for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, with whom he has clashed in the past. But he spoke at great length about having worked with Obama on ethics legislation in the Senate, and hailed the Illinois senator's ability to judge people and hold firm against pressure from interest groups and party insiders.

And the anti-war senator said that Obama's opposition to authorizing President Bush to attack Iraq had to be seen as a great strength in the race for the Democratic nomination and an eventual race with Arizona Senator John McCain.

Feingold did say that, after Thursday night's debate where the Democratic contenders ended on a remarkably warm note, he thought that an Obama-Clinton ticket might be "possible" and "attractive."

And he made it clear that he would campaign for a Democratic ticket led by Obama or Clinton against one led by McCain, with whom he worked for so many years to advance campaign finance reform. McCain, Feingold said, might be a "good man" but, "He would not lead the country in the right direction, especially with this talk about 100 years of war."

Comments (53)

1. the potential of an Obama presidency, which he said has "enormous historical opportunities for America and for our relationship with the world."

   Hope for change, hope for change, change, change, hope, hope....

   Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 12:46pm

2. Still talk of the "dream ticket"? Ironically, if Obama is the nominee, I think he should choose a running mate with more foreign policy experience than Senator Clinton (and one with better judgment and political courage).

   Posted by Be Good at 02/22/2008 @ 12:50pm

3. "I voted for Barack Obama," said the senator, who indicated that he was "extremely likely" to cast his superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention for his colleague from Illinois.

   Well, that is just as good as an endorsement!

   Thank you, Russ!

   Posted by Metteyya at 02/22/2008 @ 12:59pm

4. Too bad the North Carolina primary is not until May or we could get a similar question posed to John Edwards concerning who he voted for and who would get his superdelegate vote?

   Posted by Metteyya at 02/22/2008 @ 1:01pm

5. Posted by BE GOOD 02/22/2008 @ 12:50pm

   And better fiscal management skills, and lower negatives, and, well, anyone but her. The problem, or perhaps the opportunity, is that pretty much leaves him white males.

   Posted by yutsano at 02/22/2008 @ 1:06pm

6. Um, TRANSITDAVE, just because she wants people to be optimistic about what we can achieve doesn't mean he doesn't have a lot of experience, a lot of achievements, and a lot of solid plans for how to go about changing this country. Don't be an idiot, you embarrass the party.

   Posted by bridoc at 02/22/2008 @ 1:16pm

7. Gee....John Nichols with a gushy article about Russ Feingold.

   That's totally IRRELEVANT....AFTER the WI primary is already over.

   Who woulda thunk it?

   Posted by Mask at 02/22/2008 @ 1:16pm

8. Um, TRANSITDAVE, just because she wants people to be optimistic about what we can achieve doesn't mean he doesn't have a lot of experience, a lot of achievements, and a lot of solid plans for how to go about changing this country. Don't be an idiot, you embarrass the party.

   Posted by bridoc at 02/22/2008 @ 1:16pm

9. (sorry for the doublepost)

   Posted by bridoc at 02/22/2008 @ 1:16pm

10. Hope for change, hope for change, change, change, hope, hope....

    Posted by TRANSITDAVE 02/22/2008 @ 12:46pm | ignore this person

    the reason these words appeal to so many people is that they capture the Zeitgeist.

    it is a time of political and economic uncertainty, when inspiration is a better bet than detailed policy programs.

    Posted by emile duBois at 02/22/2008 @ 1:18pm

11. "it is a time of political and economic uncertainty, when inspiration is a better bet than detailed policy programs."

    perceptive

    Posted by Adscititious at 02/22/2008 @ 1:20pm

12. Before I type the Nation URL I try to guess what gushing, idiotic pro-Obama piece will appear in the blogs. "Hillary [Never "Clinton"] Steals Candy from Baby, Obama Takes High Road". "Spirit of Gandhi Descends on Obama's Shoulder Like A Dove, Says 'This is My Beloved American Nominee in Whom I am Well Pleased'." But this is disappointing today -- just good ol' Russ? And he wouldn't mind HRC and Obama on the same ticket Well, join the club -- didn't Patricia Williams say the same thing a few weeks back? You're slipping, Nation.

    Posted by RLawrence at 02/22/2008 @ 1:24pm

13. "Hillary [Never "Clinton"] Posted by RLAWRENCE 02/22/2008 @ 1:24pm

    I usually write "Senator Clinton" to distinguish between her and the former president. Most media refer to her as "Hillary". I don't think it's meant to be disrespectful. Plus, all of her campaign signs read "Hillary for President".

    Posted by Be Good at 02/22/2008 @ 1:35pm

14. Posted by TRANSITDAVE 02/22/2008 @ 12:46pm

    yeah - hope and change - crimethink to the republican party....

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 1:37pm

15. Posted by RLAWRENCE 02/22/2008 @ 1:24pm

    which horse you voting for?

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 1:39pm

16. yeah - hope and change - crimethink to the republican party....

    Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008 @ 1:37pm

    lol.

    fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars, fear and dollars,

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 1:43pm

17. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 02/22/2008 @ 1:43pm | ignore this person

    doubleplusgood duckthink!!!!!!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 1:53pm

18. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008 @ 1:53pm

    oh lord!

    go to the gop thread.

    gop glop gloop gop glop gloop gop glop gloop gop glop gloop

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 1:58pm

19. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 02/22/2008 @ 1:58pm

    quack quack quack! oops...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 2:01pm

20. One Superdelegate down, 399 to go. Like I said, valedictory or no, this thing won't end before the floor votes this summer in Denver.

    Posted by goyadad at 02/22/2008 @ 2:05pm

21. miniluv: giuliani

    minipax: lieberman

    minitrue: rove

    miniplenty: bernanke (forever!)

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 2:15pm

22. miniluv: giuliani

    minipax: lieberman

    minitrue: rove

    miniplenty: bernanke

    maxipad: h.clinton

    Posted by Adscititious at 02/22/2008 @ 2:17pm

23. Feingold should have run.

    Posted by FritztheCat at 02/22/2008 @ 2:18pm

24. Feingold should have run.

    Posted by FRITZTHECAT 02/22/2008 @ 2:18pm

    unacceptable.

    Posted by MONEY 02/22/2008 @ 2:61pm

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 2:21pm

25. just because she wants people to be optimistic about what we can achieve doesn't mean he doesn't have a lot of experience, a lot of achievements, and a lot of solid plans for how to go about changing this country.

    Posted by BRIDOC 02/22/2008 @ 1:16pm

    Experience and achievements? Well, since you brought it up.....

    Name a few. Of Barry Oh!'s, that is.

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 2:38pm

26. Don't be an idiot, you embarrass the party.

    Posted by BRIDOC 02/22/2008

    What party would that be? The one that's giving the American people a choice between potential experience and vicarious experience?

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 2:41pm

27. yeah - hope and change - crimethink to the republican party....

    Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008

    Don't you mean thoughtcrime? Let's ask Big Brother.....

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 2:43pm

28. "it is a time of political and economic uncertainty, when inspiration is a better bet than detailed policy programs."

    perceptive

    Posted by ADSCITITIOUS 02/22/2008 @ 1:20pm

    Let's all do the Obama chant!

    Hope for Change! Hope for Change! Change! Change! Hope! Hope!

    Seriously, inspiration is great, but with Barry Oh! it seems to be a SUBSTITUTE for detailed policy programs........And, I'm just not a betting man, myself......

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 2:48pm

29. Well, IBBLE, before you get TOO sanctimonious about Republicans and Orwell....

    might I point to Ms vanden Heuvel's post on "Misogyny at MSNBC" (ref: Shuster saying the Clintons were "pimping out" Chelsea).....

    Oh, that's right....I can't....cuz she (after realizing it was helping the Clintons with an attack on the Media AND hypocritical given Ms vH herself was STILL going on a network she said "traffics in misogyny and demeaning statements")....flushed it down the "memory hole" (i.e. pulled it off the website).

    And Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia!

    Posted by Mask at 02/22/2008 @ 3:01pm

30. Posted by TRANSITDAVE 02/22/2008 @ 2:48pm

    dont want them proles hopin' fer change! give em some doubleplusgood duckspeak...

    aclu! no new taxes! surge!

    straighttalk express!!!!!

    there's a great one - straighttalk!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 3:02pm

31. Posted by TRANSITDAVE 02/22/2008 @ 2:43pm |

    you need a new dictionary...you dont want the miniluv cartin you off to joycamp to become an unperson over a malquote. UNGOOD!

    Posted by MASK 02/22/2008 @ 3:01pm

    careful with malquoted misprints...the minitrue unlikes such unsafe duckspeak. best to go back to your favorite prolefeed and sample the latest from pornosec.

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 3:10pm

32. And Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia!

    Posted by MASK 02/22/2008 @ 3:01pm

    ungoodthink.

    Eastasia has always been at war with Oceania.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 3:14pm

33. Ibble,

    Just remember the man from Plains, Georgia.....back in'76, when America needed a change.......If that was before your time, ask any old timer......Jimmy Carter was (and is) a nice guy, and a decent man, but he was a horrible president, who, in retrospect, had no business ever running for president, much less ever getting elected.....I put Barry Oh! in the same category....

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 3:16pm

34. Posted by MASK 02/22/2008 @ 3:01pm

    hope? hope? is that in the new dictionary? apparantly not. newspeak is free from "hope". the doubleplusgood doublethink of the strighttalk sec, in full agreement with the miniplenty and the minipax, has vaporized such crimethink.

    upsub to the new old dayorder of the republican party! anything else is doubleplus ungood oldspeak, oldthink, the antespeak, antethink of the anteorder! we never thinked such, so why dont we all just bellythink the blackwhite truth - their is not "hope"...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 3:27pm

35. if barry o'bama is indeed nothing more than the new man from plains...thats as good as we can get, i'm afraid. i'll take it!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 3:29pm

36. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008 @ 3:27pm |

    hey - i'm getting good at this...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/22/2008 @ 3:33pm

37. the reason these words appeal to so many people is that they capture the Zeitgeist.

    it is a time of political and economic uncertainty, when inspiration is a better bet than detailed policy programs.

    Posted by EMILE DUBOIS 02/22/2008 @ 1:18pm

    Well put. I feel like there's a symbolic theme more than ever this time around. Obama, regardless of his policy positions and other specifics, symbolizes forward thinking and saying goodbye to the Bush years-- the antithesis of McCain's "100 years in Iraq", insider cronyism, etc. McCain is the symbol of stagnation, to counter the (dare I say it?) CHANGE mantra!

    http://zeitgeistmovie.com/ [url]

    Posted by MATTMAN at 02/22/2008 @ 3:46pm

38. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008 @ 3:27pm

    Where would "strategery" be in the Doublespeak Dictionary?

    And how would an Oceanian translate "Too many Ob-gyns aren't able to practice their love of women"?

    heheh

    Posted by Mask at 02/22/2008 @ 4:02pm

39. Well put. I feel like there's a symbolic theme more than ever this time around. Obama, regardless of his policy positions and other specifics, symbolizes forward thinking

    Posted by MATTMAN 02/22/2008 @ 3:46pm

    Forward thinking....About What? Thinking about saying goodbye to the Bush years only begs the question, "And then what?"

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 4:16pm

40. Yes, by all means, let's keep the Executive Branch an all male club? Why should we break with tradition even when we have a competent experienced female candidate? What is really sickening about this whole primary race is how the left has betrayed women again.

    Posted by harhel at 02/22/2008 @ 4:22pm

41. hey - i'm getting good at this...

    Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/22/2008 @ 3:33pm

    too good.

    you've becomed a threat........

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 4:28pm

42. Posted by HARHEL 02/22/2008 @ 4:22pm

    Uh, oh...Hillbillary's agents have infiltrated us again!

    Posted by TransitDave at 02/22/2008 @ 4:42pm

43. Posted by TRANSITDAVE 02/22/2008 @ 4:42pm

    He/she/it just another varient on "HAMILTONGRAD"....another likely Hillary Campaign operative (using multiple hotmail accounts) coming in to claim that "If you support Obama, you're a sexist pig!"

    Hasn't worked, isn't working, won't work.

    Posted by Mask at 02/22/2008 @ 4:44pm

44. Posted by HARHEL 02/22/2008 @ 4:22pm

    put down that bong!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 4:46pm

45. Posted by HARHEL 02/22/2008 @ 4:22pm

    "a competent experienced female candidate"

    Given the massive lead in early polls, huge advantage in DNC institutional support, and Daddy Bushbucks initial campaign warchest, the "competency" argument might be overstretched a bit at this point. How does one lose with all those advantages in one's favor against a candidate whose previous political exposure essentially consists of one rousing keynote speech at the 2004 convention?

    Oh, riiiiight. Got it. The Patriarchy again. Damn them!

    (But then, how does one explain how Romney lost to Penniless Mac on the Republican side? Yeah, not applicable, Evil Empire Party, my bad, false analogy.)

    Posted by goyadad at 02/22/2008 @ 5:01pm

46. I fail to see Carter's flaws reproduced in Obama. Despite all of the smiles (a similarity), Obama is really tough. Carter was too interested in world peace (not a bad thing if not an obsession) and in managing the government (you have subordinates for that) to fight the fights that should have been fought.

    The real question is whether Obama will really bring real change to Washington. I think he'll get a mandate (not the fake Bush kind either). That along with his ability motivate people will allow him to set a more ambitious agenda than anyone has for a very long time.

    We cannot know. The Presidency is a unique job. He has shown the intelligence, skill, and toughness required to succeed. I'll support him for those reasons and lots more.

    Posted by adr at 02/22/2008 @ 5:15pm

47. Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton, Obama/Clinton!

    Sounds Great, Less Filling!!

    Feingold is off his `gold' to think Obama would consider Clinton now! And vice versa!

    Feingold was fine as gadfly who had no use for common sense....except to know NOT to run for POTUS, unlike the other famous UFG (Unidentified Flying Gadfly)....but let's hope both Obama and Clinton do. With both of them on the ticket, and lets' assume they win in Nov., imagine the cry for the Backup QB when the `Starter' invariably gets in trouble.....Feingold is right in one respect, this combo in the WH would be a totally predicatble F*&kUp of "historical" proportions!

    Posted by Happy at 02/22/2008 @ 5:30pm

48. Posted by HAPPY 02/22/2008 @ 5:30pm

    are you drunk?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/22/2008 @ 6:03pm

49. I thought that this was what it was all about,being able to diagree and be heard and reach a compromise and not be dismissed totally out of hand.

    Posted by eniobob at 02/23/2008 @ 6:29pm

50. I Like Feingold! But, he is not running, and I am not going to settle for less anymore. I settled for less twice with Bill Clinton and got NAFTA. I am not going to take any chances, and, for the fist time in my life, I will not vote for a Democrat Candidate. I going with Nader, because I am tired of political parties that have sold out to corporate interests and Wall Street. If the Democrats and the Republican lose the election, it will because of their betrayal of the American people.

    Posted by P. J. Casey at 02/24/2008 @ 11:41am

51. When it comes superbowl time a good coach does not send a cheer leader in to be the quarterback.

    Posted by outrider at 02/24/2008 @ 5:49pm

52. I have been reading these blogs for a while now and just now signed up .......just so i can ask - how the F--- do you all put up with Mask? This is supposedly a left wing site and he/she/it has/her/it's his nasty fingerprints on EVERY post. Please tell me that we have a similar presence on Blowhole's website!

    Posted by blockwoo at 02/24/2008 @ 11:52pm

53. maxipad: h.clinton

    Posted by ADSCITITIOUS 02/22/2008 @ 2:17pm

    Um, she's 60.... Other than that as usual I see no problem with your rabid misogyny.

    Posted by gloryoski at 02/25/2008 @ 02:15am