Feingold Will Not Run for President in 2008

[mb7588a]

"I never got to that point where I'd rather be running around the country, running for president, than being a senator from Wisconsin," Feingold said in a phone interview from Madison.

Feingold, 53, conceded that he faced long odds of winning the nomination.

snip

Asked about the Democratic field, Feingold made it clear he preferred a nominee who shared his views on the war.

"The first choice would be somebody who voted against this unfortunate Iraq war. That may not be available," said Feingold, who was the only Senate Democrat considering a run who voted against authorizing the use of force in Iraq.

"Second choice is somebody who at least said it was a bad idea. . . . I would be happy if Obama or (Al) Gore ran," said Feingold, who said he was not offering an endorsement.


http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=529983

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[JI7]

1. FUCK

[Demeter]

17. Maybe We Can Get Him in the VP Slot

Although the Senate really needs brains (do they let him use them in the Senate?)

[LiberalFighter]

24. That would be the best chance for him

He would not stand a chance running for President. There hasn't been a Senator that had not been considered a war hero or a Governor that has won as President.

If he was VP and decided to run after that he would have a better chance.

Russ made the right choice at this time considering he does not have the necessary credentials. I am saying this as one who would had voted for him, thought he would be a great President, and he graduated the year before I did at the same high school.

[Kenergy]

44. I think he had a good chance...can you expound on why he

wouldn't be a good choice? He was against Iraq, he voted against the Patriot Act, he was for
camapign reform, etc.
I would have voted for him.
I respect your opinion as a fellow DU'er, but can you go into more detail on why you wouldn't
support him please?

[rep the dems]

51. I don't mean to ignore the point of your post,

but that's so cool! Did you ever meet him when you were young?

[zann725]

79. Agreed. He'd make a great VP.

And he's gutsy enough, that if "drafted"...I seriously doubt he'd turn down a VP slot.

[SharonRB]

32. If he doesn't want to run for President,

I'm sure he doesn't want the VP slot either. As his e-mail stated, he wants to stay in the Senate now that he actually has a chance of really accomplishing something with our new majority.

[cascadiance]

37. Running for president takes a lot of resources...

... and time. I think he feels trying to run now would mean that he couldn't do all that he wanted to do in the Senate the next two years (which he probably feels the most important time). However, I wouldn't be surprisd to see him jump in to a VP slot later, since he won't have blown all of his time in that way that he would have had he been running for president all of that time. I would love to see him run with Al Gore. I think they would complement each other nicely. Both have a lot of passion for complementing issues, and that's what we need right now. Al Gore also didn't run for president the year he got onto the ticket with Bill Clinton I believe (if I remember history right). He ran in the previous election, but I don't think during the year when Clinton won the first time. So, I think it would be a similar situation.

I think if the time is right, we should all urge him strongly to join the ticket! I wouldn't mind someone like Barbara Boxer on the ticket too, but with Arnold instead of Angelides the governor of California, I don't think we can afford Boxer leaving the Senate now, with a Republican likely to be appointed in her place if and when she left. She might be a good person to take over the Senate then. With a Democratic governor of Wisconsin, we could get someone like Feingold in the VP slot and not lose anything then (aside from his great talents in the Senate of course).

[SharonRB]

43. I'd be very happy with a Gore/Feingold ticket

and your explanation makes a lot of sense.

[emmadoggy]

57. See my post at #56.

I agree with you. We need Russ in the Senate right now and running for Pres. would be a big distraction from that. I think this is a very smart move on his part. He would have an uphill battle to become the nominee and would probably make a better fit for VP right now anyway. Leaving that option open, but concentrating on his current job is a good plan.

I love Russ and am sorry to see him pull out, but I do think it's probably not a horrible thing either. If he can jump on a ticket it with Gore....I will be sqealing with delight! :woohoo:

[emmadoggy]

56. Actually, I just heard about this on our local news...

I live in NE Iowa and we get local news from LaCrosse, WI. At the very end of their report about Russ they said that he said he would consider being a VP nominee. So there is still hope. It's interesting that he said he would support Obama or Gore....My dream ticket is Gore/Feingold and I have seen that from a lot of people here and at other Dem websites. Maybe he's thinking that would be a good match-up too?

Please, oh please...Gore/Feingold '08!!!

[elocs]

58. I live in La Crosse and get my news from La Crosse,

but I was watching the football game tonight. I don't usually watch the local news though. Feingold would make a great VP candidate since he is not up for reelection until 2010. On my car's bumper sticker, I put an 8 over the 4 in "Feingold 2004". I think I will leave it on until I actually have a candidate I want to support and who is running.

How long does it take for "Feingold" not to show up as being a misspelling on our "Check Spelling" function? "Hillary" does not get flagged.

[emmadoggy]

60. Hey Neighbor!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[cascadiance]

59. You know how they used to twist Gore/Lieberman to Sore Loserman!

A Gore/Feingold ticket could be:

Gore Finds Gold!

(and wins big in 2008!)

[emmadoggy]

61. Sounds like a winner to me!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[MissMillie]

67. He'd make a great runningmate for Wes Clark

donchya think?

[Adelante]

69. I think so

Yes, MissMillie :)

I can't help but sorry to see Feingold back out. I thought he had a lot to add to the Dem field.

[Divine Discontent]

48. I concur

at least he'll help win that state for whoever runs, and he could be a VP candidate, but unlikely.

he's a GOOD man, and would make a great PRES. I thanked him in email for his pro-gay stance, something some on this very site don't share fully, but that's their right, it just sucks that there's such a big difference in say a Russ Feingold and a Harold Ford.


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[calimary]

73. Good way to sum it up, my friend.

I'd add "SHIT" to that.

Then again, Senators tend not to have good luck anyway, and it would NOT be a bad thing to have him remain firmly ensconced as the Conscience of the Senate Democrats.

[Eurobabe]

2. Just received an email...

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On Sunday, November 12th in Racine, I will hold my 1000th Listening Session with the people of Wisconsin. Before reaching that milestone, I want you to know that I've decided to continue my role as Wisconsin's Junior Senator in the U.S. Senate and not to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008...

[Mojambo]

3. My top choice is out

If Gore doesn't run I really don't know who I'd support.

[cascadiance]

6. Me too! We really need someone not DLC to run!

I was really counting on Feingold to at least take a shot at it!

I'm hoping that Gore runs and that Feingold would still be willing to jump on as his VP selection. That would be ideal for me!

[0007]

19. Bummer! I was wondering why we hadn't heard from Russ

Damn good man.

[tblue37]

25. Wes Clark would be an excellent choice. (eom)

[tblue37]

26. Wes Clark would be an excellent choice. (eom)

[snot]

4. I'm sorry he's out and glad to know who he likes . . .

although I wish I also knew how he views Dean.

[dansolo]

29. I believe he supports Dean

He didn't mention Dean because as long as he is the head of the DNC, Dean has no intention to seek the nomination.

[dolo amber]

5. It's 2006...things change

That said, I can completely understand and respect his position. But at the same time I would do everything in my power to support him should he change his mind. (See sig. :D)

Regardless...thanks for all you've done and will do, Senator Feingold. :patriot: :loveya:

[NoodleyAppendage]

7. Well...that leaves Gore, Edwards, Clark on my list (in that order).

Maybe he backed out for a VP run? Or, more likely he knows that he's going "balls to the wall" over the domestic spying bullsh*t, in which case he'll be tainted for a 2008 run.

J

[cascadiance]

8. Barbara Boxer already indicated she wouldn't run too...

... and now with Arnold still in office, it will be harder to justify putting her in as VP as well...

Obama scares me as an unknown and I really want to hear him be more straight with us on his connections to the DLC. We CANNOT afford to have a DLC candidate in for 2008! That means folks like Vilsack, Biden, Clinton, and perhaps Obama are all out for me.

[cascadiance]

9. I wonder if that means he'll challenge for Senate Majority Leader!

I was earlier thinking Barbara Boxer would be the logical choice for that, but now with him saying he wants to emphasize his work in the Senate, I'd like to see him take this slot. He's been the only one really trying to lead us in the right ('er left) direction the last year or so!

[mb7588a]

10. Put it on the front page! Russ has earned it. nt

[upi402]

11. Kucinich? n/t

[w4rma]

12. This makes me sad.

:(

[hayu_lol]

13. This is really too bad. I was hoping for a Clark/Feingold ticket...

or Feingold/Clark. Both would be supurb.

Gore might be an outstanding Secty of Interior. Would like to see him with the power to go against the corporate interests: mining/lumber/etc.

[cascadiance]

27. Perhaps he still might be a VP...

I'll reread his announcement, but it struck me as that he felt that in order for him to do all he wanted to do in the Senate, that he wouldn't have time to also run for president and give them both adequate priority. But if someone put him on at the end in their VP slot, perhaps that might be the best! Someone like Al Gore with Feingold would get me pretty excited!

[LiberalFighter]

30. Gore should had ran again in 2004 -- he would had won

I would still support Gore in 2008.

[NJ Democrats]

33. Definitly

While it sucks that Feingold is out, I would vote to have Gore/Feingold

[Vidar]

14. I'm sorry he's out. Though a long shot, he is our best.

[buddysmellgood]

15. He will continue to provide excellent leadership in the senate.

[minnesota_liberal]

16. Crap!

I understand his reasoning but am disappointed nonetheless.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

18. No one's wanting to run it seems.

Looks like we might be stuck with Hillary.

[onehandle]

20. Clark didn't declare until September '03.

That's a long time for many to step up.

Nice try.

[Auntie Bush]

50. So why are you ignoring Clark...like the media does? Please check him out.

He's a perfect candidate! Even if the war is over in Iraq...which it won't Clark with his military experience and knowledge would still be a great choice due to problems with Iran and N Korea. Also...What about Poland...er...I mean China?

Wes Clark is our perfect president. Hillery can't win many Southern states and Clark can! Go Wes Go!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

21. Will 2 years in the Senate be enough for Bernie...

:D


Kerry, no.
Clark, no.
Edwards, no.
Clinton, no.
Obama, no.
Feingold, yes.
Boxer, yes.
Sanders, yes.
Waxman, yes.

[leesa]

22. I wish he would run with Gore then

[krispos42]

23. Well, now what do we do?

No Dean, no Feingold. Gore and Hillary probably have too much baggage.

Shit, all of these names have been recyled already over and over again.

How about Tom Dashle, the former senate minority leader? Dashle or South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson are well-liked and respected senators and might pull in enough of the rural southern and midwestern votes to win. So might North Dakota's Byron Dorgan.

[dansolo]

28. I'm a little torn about this

On one hand, I would have loved to see him on the national stage promoting his views, but on the other hand, it may be better if he didn't run. He would clearly divide the progressive vote from any other candidate who was against the war, like Al Gore, or even Wesley Clark. I have an immense amount of respect for Russ Feingold for recognizing his responsibility as a sitting Senator.

[LiberalFighter]

31. Everyone be patient -- it is still early

Check to see who has been attending State JJ Dinners. Especially those that attend in 2007. Potential candidates will be attending those events.

[PurityOfEssence]

34. A truly decent and sentient person; he has a great future

This was an act of logic, heart and selflessness. With an unerring moral compass, he has been one of those important lone voices in the wilderness, not only with his sole senatorial vote against the "patriot" act, but with many other stands he's taken.

He is unelectable and he knows it. This is the fault of the collective consciousness of the American people and a few other issues.

Divorced not once but twice, and being Jewish, he rankles the goody two-shoes hypocrites of this country. This alone is enough to keep him from being elected. Sadly, with the antipathy over Israel in the rest of the world, electing a Jewish president would be seen in the rest of the world as tantamount to an endorsement of anything that country wanted to do.

Bigotry is and always will be rife. Perhaps a less contentious time will come when he has a shot at the presidency; he certainly deserves it.

This was an act that showed, once again, his true character. May we have the sense to properly utilize him in the future.

[Renew Deal]

35. That sucks

Two of my favorites are not out. Now I hope Gore runs which means he is surely going out too.

[savemefromdumbya]

36. It's going to be a crowded race?

Feingold is very able. I can see his point, running for that position is hard.

[Superman Returns]

38. hmmmm

i dont think anyone say this, i still saw polls up in the GD with Feingold's name on them.

[lovuian]

39. I really love him

but understand its a horrible job

[Spirochete]

40. That's disappointing.

Now I thnk I'm down to Gore and Clark for possibilities I would be happy with. Don't really want any Hillary/Biden/Vilsack people. I'd support them, but with less enthusiasm.

[Lindacooks]

41. DAMN.

That's too bad.

[Alexander]

42. Gore/Feingold 08!!!

[wtmusic]

53. That's the one

Can't think of any other ticket I would wholeheartedly support.

[phusion]

74. That would be a real winner to me...

I'd work my tail off for that campaign.

[disndat]

78. For Sure.

If Dick Gregory can be believed, the deal might have been cut, or a handshake, between Gore and Feingold. Or else why would Feingold take himself out of the race so early? I think Gore thinks together they can eventually push campaign reform and all those other good things, the good people in America should stand for and lead the world.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

45. so we're stuck with hillary, biden and ricahrdson (ugh)

two pro-war opportunists and a friend of hannity

what's tom vilsack(sp) like? worth consideration for antiwar folks?

[rep the dems]

52. There will be more, I expect. nt

[IA_Seth]

55. How about Clark? Have you looked into him at all? n/t

[SKKY]

65. You've forgotten Evan Bayh...

...He'll have a good bit to say about who the nominee is.

[mhatrw]

76. Vilsack is your classic centrist machine politician. n/t

[moondust]

46. Bummer.

Too much integrity and smarts for the redneck masses I guess.

[Martin Eden]

47. As a Tribute to Russ, here is his 2002 speech against the Iraq War

Why I oppose Bush's Iraq War Resolution
by Sen. Russ Feingold
October 11, 2002

Many of us have spent months reviewing the issue of the advisability of invading Iraq in the near future. From hearings and meetings on the process and the very important role of Congress to the difficult questions of substance, including foreign policy and military implications, after my own review and carefully listening to hundreds of Wisconsin citizens in person, I spoke on the floor on Thursday, September 26, and, Mr. President, I indicated my opposition to the original draft use of force authorization by the President, and I also used that opportunity to raise some very important questions, to which I needed answers before supporting a narrower and more responsible resolution.

Now, after many more meetings and reading articles and attending briefings, listening to my colleagues' speeches, and especially listening to the President's speech in Cincinnati on Monday, Mr. President, I still don't believe that the President and the Administration have adequately answered the critical questions. They have not yet met the important burden to persuade Congress and the American people that we should invade Iraq at this time.

Both in terms of the justifications for an invasion and in terms of the mission and the plan for the invasion, Mr. President, the Administration's arguments just don't add up. They don't add up to a coherent basis for a new major war in the middle of our current challenging fight against the terrorism of al Qaeda and related organizations. Therefore, I cannot support the resolution for the use of force before us.

My colleagues, my focus today is on the wisdom of this specific resolution vis-a-vis Iraq, as opposed to discussing the notion of an expanded doctrine of preemption, which the President has articulated on several occasions. However, I associate myself with the concerns eloquently raised by Senator Kennedy and Senator Byrd and others that this could well represent a disturbing change in our overall foreign and military policy. This includes grave concerns about what such a preemption-plus policy will do to our relationship with our allies, to our national security, and to the cause of world peace in so many regions of the world, where such a doctrine could trigger very dangerous actions with really very minimal justification.

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/feingold1.html">Read the rest of the speech

[goforit]

49. He's a staight shooter..... Is it because he is not part of some secret society?

And he knows it, so therefore he chooses not to run.

But I must say, after the 2000 and 2004 election, running for the presedency is a bitch.

[The Witch]

54. Russ, you do what's right for you, man

You are our hero no matter what.

[ballaratocker]

62. Sad...

:(

[Krakowiak]

63. sad to hear this, he is my top choice by a country mile

[SKKY]

64. That's OK, He wasn't my horse anyway...

Since Warner left, I've thrown my eggs in the Evan Bayh basket. Bayh/Warner is a ticket that
seems like it could do some things.

[sellitman]

66. How about....

Conyers? Besides him there is no one else I can truly feel content supporting. This sucks!

[SeanQ]

68. Damn

Here I was hoping for something like a Feingold/Clark ticket.

[Maven]

70. Scuse me

:cry:

[lumpy]

71. Feingold said it, and he is right:

"I never got to that point where I'd rather be running around the country, running for president, than being a senator from Wisconsin," Feingold said in a phone interview from Madison.

He has plenty to do in the Senate and is needed there. Better his time spent doing his good work in the Senate. Running for Prez would take his time away from the job he was elected to do.
Glad he would be happy if Gore would run. Gore could find the time/money to do campaigning.

[IronLionZion]

72. He's a good man and made a good decision, good for him

now please read my lips, NO MORE SENATORS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!! We need a governor or general or someone other than a legislator who has many votes and floor speeches to spin against him/her.

[KamaAina]

75. It appears as though I am temporarily without a primary candidate

then again, it IS still '06.

Come to think of it, now that he's seen the light on the war (hasn't everyone except Hillary?), John Edwards might work. I do wish he'd kept a higher profile during this cycle, though.

[thickerstrings]

77. This is unfortunate; Feingold shows real character

Feingold stood up to the dipwad chimp and his evil henchmen and described the Iraq for what it really was: completely wrong and based on a huge, blood-dripping lie. He may be too much of a maverick to have a chance at the presidency, but that's just a reflection of how tepid we are as a society.