Russ Feingold announcing that he will NOT run for president in 08!

[mom cat]

This e-mail just came from Russ:

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.

Like many Americans, I am excited by the results of the November 7th election. My fourteen years in the Senate have been the greatest privilege of my life and I am extremely pleased with what we have accomplished. During so much of that time, however, we Democrats have not only been in the minority but have often been so deeply mired there that my role has often been to block bad ideas or to simply dissent. That is a very important role but I relish the thought that in this new Congress we can start, not only to undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America, we can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed healthcare, dependence on oil, and our unbalanced trade policies. The Senate of the 110th Congress could also well be a place of greater bi-partisan opportunities for change; something I am very proud to have been effective at in both Republican and Democratic Senates.

I hope all of you know how much I have appreciated the incredible response you have given me and the efforts of our Progressive Patriots Fund since January, 2005. In addition to all of our work in Wisconsin and D.C., I have traveled to seventeen states trying to promote the election of progressive Democrats in all states. At every stop from Birmingham, Alabama to Burlington, Vermont, to Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to Las Vegas, Nevada, people have agreed with my view that we need to stand up for a strong, principled Democratic party that is willing to replace timidity with taking the risks of promoting a platform of bold solutions to our nation's problems. Unfailingly, people responded well to my positions: opposition to the Iraq war; calling for a timeline to redeploy our troops from Iraq so we can focus on those who attacked us on September 11th, 2001; my opposition to the flawed provisions of the USA Patriot Act that threaten the freedoms of law-abiding Americans; my call for accountability for the Administration's arrogant disregard for the law especially with regard to illegal wiretapping; fighting for fiscal responsibility including tough common sense budget rules that will help end the reckless policies that have heaped a mountain of debt on our children and grandchildren; as well as my strong belief in guaranteed healthcare for all Americans and substantial investment in alternative energy sources and technologies.

Yet, while I've certainly enjoyed the repeated comments or buttons saying, "Run Russ Run", or "Russ in '08", I often felt that if a piece of Wisconsin swiss cheese had taken the same positions I've taken, it would have elicited the same standing ovations. This is because the hunger for progressive change we feel is obviously not about me but about the desire for a genuinely different Democratic Party that is ready to begin to reverse the 25 years of growing extremism we have endured.

I'm sure a campaign for President would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda. At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a Senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget Committees. Although I have given it a lot of thought, I cannot muster the same enthusiasm for a race for President while I am trying simultaneously to advance our agenda in the Senate. In other words, if I really wanted to run for President, regardless of the odds or other possible candidates, I would do so. However, to put my family and all of my friends and supporters through such a process without having a very strong desire to run, seems inappropriate to me. And, yes, while I would strongly prefer that our nominee in 2008 be someone who had the judgment to oppose the Iraq war from the beginning, I am prepared to work as hard as I can through the Progressive Patriots Fund, and consistent with my duties in the Senate, to maintain or increase our gains from November 7 in the Congress and, of course, to elect a Democrat as President in 2008.

Most important, I want to continue my work as a Senator from this wonderful State of Wisconsin. Our fourteen year ongoing conversation that has taken place in hundreds of communities in Wisconsin in the form of open Listening Sessions is the principal reason I have been perceived as "ahead of the curve" on many key issues. Simply listening to the reasoning and passions of Wisconsinites remains the best source of good ideas and common sense I've ever encountered.

I love this country very much and am so lucky to be able to serve it in the United States Senate. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement.

Sincerely,



Russ Feingold
Middleton, Wisconsin



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[stellanoir]

1. bummer

Yet I can understand why he'd feel challenged to perhaps more effectively work in the Senate than waste so much time embroiled in our somewhat antiquated methods of stumping, fundraising, and campaigning. Yikes and oh well.

[GOPS Worst Fear]

2. What a Super Guy!!

He wants to stay in Congress where he thinks he can do more good because we got back the majority! Very admirable!! I am great dissapointed as he was my choice. Now I nthink it's between Gen Wes Clark and John Edwards,unless there is a better candidate out there I don't know about.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. Damnit!!!!

Damn! Damn! Damn! That leaves my choices down to one: Gore.

[midnight]

4. I hope he will work hard in the Senate to repeal the "Un"-Patriot

Act.

[Arugula Latte]

5. DAMN!!

If I could wave a magic wand and make anybody president, Russ would have fairy dust in his hair.

:cry:

[YvonneCa]

6. Send a note to Senator Feingold....

...to thank him for all he did. Here's mine:


>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Senator Feingold,

Thank you for being such an outstanding patriot and fighting so hard to put our beloved country back on the right track. I have been a strong supporter of all the Democratic Party members who have lead the way to the Democratic Party victory of last Tuesday, but I have favored Senator Kerry as the person who has the qualifications to turn this country around and unify us, once and for all. I believe strongly that we need foreign policy experience in our next presidentil candidate and will get behind the candidate who has that experience and speaks the truth to the American people.

Your leadership, especially on Iraq, has been stellar! As Senator Kerry has said, "Patriotism does not belong to those who support a president's policies, it belongs to those who support their country." You did that, with style. :) I hope one day you DO decide to pursue the presidency. Thanks again, for all you did for our country.

:patriot: