Feingold could envision, Clinton, Obama, or McCain in the White House.

[Mass]

Interestingly, he does not list Edwards, but says McCain in OK!

http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/266652

Sen. Russ Feingold said Thursday he is leaning toward not endorsing any of the candidates for president before Wisconsin's Feb. 19 primary and might not do so before the Democratic National Convention.

"I'm torn," Feingold said in a visit with the Daily Register between rounds of listening sessions with area constituents. "I'm having trouble with this one."

Feingold said he is weighing issues of experience vs. change. He said he can envision Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as well as Republican John McCain in the White House.
...

Here is what he has to say about his motivation, and later in the article, he says he wants bipartisanship.


I have a great respect for Feingold, a good Democrat, but I wonder why he quoted McCain as somebody he could see. Is he discounting him?

Feingold said the debate he is having over endorsing a candidate comes from his belief that most voters don't care who he supports and that no candidate has both an extensive knowledge of government but a willingness to take the country in a different direction.

"There's a real genuine split," he said. "It's like that saying, if you could combine the best of two personalities ... "

[marmar]

1. McCain? Russ, say it ain't so!

:hurts:

[iamjoy]

2. Campaign Finance Reform

and money in politics would be my guess.

Remember that the good senator from Wisconson co-sponsored a bill on campaign finance reform. What was that called again

:think:


oh yeah: McCain-Feingold

[babylonsister]

3. Oye! A warmonger! Perhaps he's being P.C. That's all I can think of

for his reasoning.

[Mass]

4. Experience and bipartisanship are the two things he wants.

He says he would not support McCain, but that he has both and that he wishes one of the Democrats has both as well.

More of the article.

he tendencies for parties under the Clinton and Bush administrations not to work with each other has people disillusioned with government on the whole, Feingold said.

A new president has to merge the political rift across the nation and in Washington, Feingold said, adding that he sees 2008 as a year in which he can expand on his bipartisan efforts, which include clean water and line-item veto initiatives.

"I've never seen people so upset with the government," Feingold said. "I see my job as partially trying to get people upbeat."

Issues such as health-care reform and campaign funding are universal and affect all Americans, not just ones who prescribe to a particular ideology, Feingold said.

[babylonsister]

13. Gotcha. Those are both admirable,

but I'm glad he's not about to support McCain.

[elizm]

5. I guess he does not see Edwards as viable on the Dem side...

Otherwise I am sure he would have mentioned him.

[Mass]

6. Probably. It is a great article, that gives a view on how Feingold works and thinks.

Really interesting and it really make my respect for him grow. He really understands that politics has to change and that we need some dialog to make things advance.

[geek tragedy]

7. If a staunch liberal says that about McCain, we are screwed if he

gets the Pug nomination.

Obama could probably beat him. Clinton, notsomuch.

[sjdnb]

8. Read on before jumping on Feingold ...

"I certainly would not be supporting the Republican nominee, but it would be easy for me to see McCain as president," the Democrat said. "He's been pretty gutsy and consistent, by and large. … He's got solid judgment.

(on Foreign policy) - Despite a Bush administration push for support of the surge in Iraq and a drop in violence, Feingold said he still supports a troop withdrawal. ... Feingold, a member of the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations, said he spoke with military leaders to devise a six-month withdrawal and that a country occupied by a foreign force faces significant hurdles toward independence and assistance from neighboring states.

"People say if we leave, it's going to be chaos. Well, I disagree," he said, adding that nine soldiers recently died despite the surge's continuation. "If the surge is working and nine people were killed in Iraq, I'm not convinced."

Feingold said he supports spending for Iraqi troop training and specific mission targeting al-Qaida, but that the majority of soldiers should be recalled and readied for use in more pressing situations around the world such as the unrest in Pakistan."

So, obviously, it was not an endorsement of McCain or anyone else.

Anyone questioning Feingold's anti-war record needs to research it a little:

Authorization Vote: NO Feingold: Resolution an 'affront to the Constitution'
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/feingold1.html

Just Google Feingold Iraq ...

Feingold Urges Troop Withdrawal By End of '06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/17/AR2005081701778.html

Personally, I think he's just disappointed in the entire field and would have liked to see a Gore run - but, I'm just speculating. I was disappointed he chose not to run, but, realize in fact, he would probably not do well in the current M$M driven/Popularity-Charisma/who's endorsing you today/how much $$$ do you have contest that Presidential campaigns have become.

[Mass]

9. I am not jumping on Feingold, just posting

because the article is great and shows how Feingold thinks

[sjdnb]

14. Because of the title, I'm sure several will ... and, I actually know

Russ Feingold and can think of very few politicians I respect and admire more.

I'm probably being a little over protective ... but, I'm a mom, what can I say - can't help myself. :)

[ProSense]

10. Why did you and the OP skip this:

"Then I have the occasional nightmare when I think it's going to be (Mitt) Romney, but then I wake up," he said, laughing.

:rofl:

[Democrafty]

11. Ha! I feel the same way Russ does! n/t

[Mass]

12. Thanks for the correction. I saw it, but somehow did not include it in my paste and cut.

[FogerRox]

15. I feel the same way

Personally, I think he's just disappointed in the entire field and would have liked to see a Gore run

[stray cat]

16. I'm curious why do you think he prefers Gore?

[FogerRox]

18. Its a moment in time, if Gore grabs it, he has the juice, to win and make great things happen

[ladjf]

17. If America elects McCain, they are even sicker than I thought.

However, on the Republican side, they don't any good choices. They might as well flip coins.