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Sen. Feingold: Vote On Iraq Again and Again

Posted by Jane Hamsher at 2:00 PM on October 3, 2007.


Jane Hamsher: Russ Feingold may be the only one in the Senate who can read a f**king poll.
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Feingold

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This post, written by Jane Hamsher, originally appeared on FireDogLake

Russ Feingold proves he's maybe the only one in the Senate who can read a fucking poll:

One question that I keep getting asked by reporters is why Democrats aren't reaching out to moderate Republicans to come up with some sort of consensus legislation. I also see stories criticizing the Democratic leadership for failing to bring in Republican moderates to pass legislation. My response is simple -- what good is getting 60 or 67 votes to pass a nonbinding Sense of the Senate resolution on Iraq that doesn't bring the troops home? When I hold my town hall meetings in Wisconsin, nobody is asking me to push for an empty compromise. They ask me how we can finally end this war. This summer we heard a growing chorus of Republicans call for change in Iraq but their words have proven to be empty. If members are serious about changing course in Iraq, Feingold-Reid is the surest way to do it.

The American people have been clear in what they want -- an end to this war. Last November, Democrats were saying all the right things but now it's time to follow through. I know some of my colleagues want to avoid any Iraq debate on the Defense appropriations bill. Sorry, but Iraq is the most important issue we face and the Senate must address it as we take up the Defense spending bill this week. That's why I will again be offering an amendment to set a deadline for bringing our troops home. I intend to do so today.

Well he's got the support of Chris Dodd at the very least.

Feingold is clearly having his arm twisted to STFU and let the Democrats kick the can down the street and deal with the defunding debate in January. As I mentioned not long ago, "Democratic Strategist" Doug Schoen has Harry Reid's ear and his wisdom is clearly infecting a leadership salivating over potential electoral gains in 2008:

Right now, Democrats clearly have the '08 advantage. The American people are fed up with George Bush and the Republicans. Democrats have opened up double-digit leads on party identification and the generic congressional vote.

But the Democratic Party is also vulnerable on Iraq, where the lead over the Republicans dropped 10 percent in August to a narrow four percent margin. Rather than harp on the withdrawal, the Democrats should continue to strike a bipartisan tone and refocus the debate to other international and domestic issues. This will help them carry the day in November 2008.

And that pile of dead bodies that will be mounting between now and January? Don't mind them.

Feingold is making a bold move. If the MoveOn amendment can make it to the floor, this one can too.

Digg!

Tagged as: iraq war, feingold, democratic congress

Jane Hamsher is the founder of FireDogLake. Her work has also appeared on the Huffington Post, Alternet and The American Prospect.


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A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Oct 3, 2007 2:21 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Russ Feingold was my first choice for president. He just might pull this off. I hope so. ANNA

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Spoke to Feingold
Posted by: marid on Oct 3, 2007 4:08 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
in my home town and he said the same things.. Get out now. Gave a great speech to the crowd of several hundred and got standing ovation after ovation. The only senator to vote against the Patriot Act continues to show his integrity and guts.

Too bad there aren't a few more Dems with either.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Feingold Claim
Posted by: Nugeman on Oct 3, 2007 7:50 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Russ states that the war in Iraq is not the central front in the war on terror. How can he deny this when it is widely acknowledged by al-Zawahiri as well as bin-Laden.
Feingold admonished the administration for NSA wiretapping when liberal Democrat Lanny Davis said his committee looked into the program, and "were impressed by the safeguards built in to protect the rights of the American people"

It's things like this that keep a wacko like Feingold in the minority, not even supported by his own party.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Feingold Claim Posted by: PJAW
» RE: Feingold Claim Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
» wow... look whos the wacko... Posted by: Bearzerker
Why isn't this guy running for POTUS?
Posted by: Dadster3 on Oct 4, 2007 5:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How about Feingold-Kucinich? Kucinich is my choice among the current field, but he's too far left to be a serious contender--and not tall enough if you can imagine that as a serious criterion for the presidency--but Feingold just might be right enough of center to pull it off.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

We, the people, want out
Posted by: kabac55 on Oct 4, 2007 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is heartening to read about how so many of us folks outside the Beltway want us to get out of Iraq. I live in a largely rural county in Michigan that leans Republican. Every few days or so I see 2-3 more yard signs, "Support our troops--End the War" going up. They are featured in our local farmers market. Too bad our congressman (a Republican who didn't get my vote) doesn't get it yet.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Feingold is the real deal!
Posted by: kewpie on Oct 4, 2007 7:12 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Feingold is the only senator,democrat or republican who understands the constitution, will take the time to read a bill before it is on the floor to be passed such as the the Patriot Act, did not vote for the Iraq War and is for controlled governmental spending. Check his voting and committee records. Feingold uses his own money to fund his own campaigns and limits money from special interest groups for his campaign. He does not spend alot of time gravelling for money, therefore he is able to focus on the issues and hear what his constituents want done. He is the least corrupt politican out there! I hope he stays that way! I am not sure he would do much good as the president. He does more as a senator. The longer he is in office the more respect he gains.

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Draft Feingold
Posted by: Schroeder on Oct 4, 2007 7:29 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Seriously, I believe this guy has incredible integrity and doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. So, maybe we should draft Feingold for President...Kucinich would be fine with me for VP. Didn't he talk about running once?

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Paul Cardwell
Posted by: Paul Cardwell on Oct 4, 2007 8:16 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
While I find Finegold's lone stand in the Senate on behalf of the Constitution worthy of praise, it is not accurate to say he was the only Senator to oppose the Traitor's Act. Bernie Sanders is now a member of the Senate and he also voted against that iniquity while a member of the House. Unfortunately doubling the total still leaves 98 Senators with a questionable loyalty to the Constitution they all swore to "uphold and defend".

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I WROTE THIS LETTER TO OBEY
Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN on Oct 4, 2007 9:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr Obey.
I am APPALLED at your abusive intention to extort a WAR TAX SURCHARGE out of those of us who are innocent victims of bush's invented WAR FOR OIL!!
I have been a "constituent' of yours for many years and was under the impression that you supported US and NOT bush and his phony war.
To attempt to FORCE us to pay for something WHICH WE DO NOT SUPPORT is more than just unfair.
IT IS IMMORAL and CLEAR PROOF THAT YOU SUPPORT BUSH'S WAR.
I had had a very high opinion of you, Mr Obey.
Your actions in this latest extortion of our hard earned money is reprehensible.
You have your FREE HEALTHCARE FOR CONGRESS which WE CITIZENS pay for.
You have an indestructible pension, WE PAY FOR THAT!!
Sir, where is your concern for those REAL AMERICANS in your district and elsewhere??!!
Are you so obtuse that you cannot see that WE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS DISASTER??!!
Are you planning to retire and do not care what we, THE REAL AMERICAN VICTIMS OF CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION think anymore??!!
Mr Obey, if this message sounds angry, you are reading it correctly.
I am more than angry.
I am disgusted, disillusioned, outraged, and am a victim of crime~~the crimes of a disinterested and uncaring government which sees us REAL AMERICANS as fools with our hands full of MONEY MONEY MONEY for those of you in congress to throw away as you see fit WITHOUT ANY REAL AND/OR ACTUAL RIGHTS OF US REAL AMERICANS TO STOP IT.

If you continue on this course, Mr Obey, YOU WILL HAVE GOTTEN MY FINAL VOTE.
It is incumbent upon you to BEGIN CARING ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF US THE REAL AMERICANS.
Withdraw this extortion NOW, sir!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: I WROTE THIS LETTER TO OBEY Posted by: fan43fever
» RE: I WROTE THIS LETTER TO OBEY Posted by: peacefullaim
» RE: I WROTE THIS LETTER TO OBEY Posted by: Schroeder
» RE: I WROTE THIS LETTER TO OBEY Posted by: peacefullaim
Gore/Feingold
Posted by: willymack on Oct 4, 2007 11:29 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
With John Edwards as Attorney General (to prosecute the bushie bastards for their many crimes). A place foe Kucinich should be found as well. That's my desire (or pipe dream).

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Gore/Feingold Posted by: Schroeder
» RE: Gore/Feingold Posted by: peacefullaim
My next door neighbors still have a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker on their car.
Posted by: Ellie1 on Oct 4, 2007 12:17 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How can people be so damned stupid? Every time I go by their house, I give them the one-finger salute. My husband says to be nice, they are neighbors. I don't care-I consider them murderers just like George W. Bushit.

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Feingold may not be the only one who can read but,
Posted by: Doubtom on Oct 5, 2007 12:00 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
he's damn sure the only one with balls in the entire Senate; otherwise there would be someone else assisting him in his attempt to get accountability from this administration.
The Senate is one sorry spectacle in this time of dire need but then, what can we reasonably expect from an agency that is known as the "Millionaire's Club"? Need we be so naiive as to expect that these money chasers really give a shit about the people?

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The contrast
Posted by: herbal on Oct 5, 2007 1:44 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What Democrat is diametrically opposed to Sen. Feingold?

Hillary Clinton who advocates nuclear war against Iran.

For peace activists there is no more urgent issue than this concerning the Primaries:

Hillary addressing AIPAC (3 min.):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVWagtd8uwM&mode=related&search=

Hillary's "No options left on the table..." nuclear threat.

Then consider the company she keeps at AIPAC:
Rev. Hagee the self-described Christian Zionist. rapture cultist: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRxmqOn7x4&mode=related&search=

"The Israel Lobby (excerpt from Tikkun newsletter)
"In this Issue Tikkun Editor Rabbi Michael Lerner responds to the recent publication of The Israel Lobby by John Walt and Stephen Mearsheimer by giving an in-depth analysis of one of the most important issues in U.S. politics today: The power of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to control the relationship between the United States and Israel.

"He comes to one conclusion: AIPAC is bad for the Jews, bad for the U.S., and bad for the world and he tells why.
This is not only a Jewish issue. Lerner presents ideas for how the Network of Spiritual Progressives can become the interfaith alternative to the Israel Lobby and shows that it can only do so with the help of non-Jews as well as Jews."

SEE RABBI MICHEAL LERNER THIS FRIDAY NIGHT on PBS. The program will focus on CHRISTIAN ZIONISM.

Editorial comment: Will US foreign policy continue to be directed by AIPAC under Hillary Clinton? All the candidates need to be asked if they have accepted donations from foreign agencies and lobbies like AIPAC. It is time to join with the Jewish peace activists here and in Israel, and not fear the Lukid zionist backlash of AIPAC. Israelis are deeply divided over war and peace issues; we simply don't get their news past the US corporate media censors. Hillary Clinton represents a travesty of an added 4 to 8 years of the same world hegemony as Bush Jr. Let us not forget her perfect Bush agenda voting record up until the day her campaign began! There should be no options left on the table to defeat Hillary Clinton in the Primaries. We certainly must remember the Republican media campaign to declare all candidates as "unelectable" with the exception of Kerry (Yale, Skull and Bones, Wall St.) in 2004. This article seems to be cast in that mold that we see being cast in the TV "debates"; downplaying the most progressive candidates while focusing on the least threatening to the status quo. What do Carl Rove, Dick Cheney and Hillary Clinton have in common? Invasion of Iran fixation.

Hillary AIPAC video address:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVWagtd8uwM&mode=related&search=

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