So let's vet Russ. [View All]

[Clark2008]

I really like Russ Feingold. He's honest, he's brave and he defends the Constitution.

So, how would he fare in a general election?

Russ is the third choice of my three-choice trifecta: Wesley Clark comes in, obviously, at No. 1. As a Tennessean, Al Gore, my first political "crush" slides in a No. 2 and Russ is No. 3.

I also break down candidates by how well they would fare in a general election. I think Wes could win in a general election because he's both Southern AND mid-Western. He's got a master's and taught economics and has tremendous foreign policy and national security experience - two things most Americans look for when voting in a presidential election, particularly when we're at war. I think he also could relate to those "Heartland" voters we keep losing - in other words, he could flip a red state or two, which we HAVE to do in order to win (and beat Diebold), so I don't want to hear any "fuck the South" comments. That's just insane.

Al Gore has a lot of the qualities necessary for pulling the country together, as well. He's also from the "Heartland" and also has foreign policy experience, not to mention he's on the cutting edge of the latest American problem: how to save the environment while reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The two go hand-in-hand, really.

They are two Democratic candidates whom I KNOW would have a shot at winning the general election AND would be good for the average working and middle-class American.

There are other candidates, such as former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who have appeal in the South and possibly mid-West, and COULD win a general election, but I don't necessarily believe Warner, or any other DLCer, would be good for the working man or woman of America.

So, how do you think Russ would fare?

Be honest.

I know he's extremely popular and he's doing a marvelous job, but, please, when you answer, don't let your emotions take over. I want an honest assessment.