FEINGOLD: "Democrats can no longer be a part of the savaging of the U.S. Constitution"

[kpete]

Feingold rips Mukasey over executive power
John Nichols — 11/05/2007 10:38 am

.............

But the senator told several hundred friends and political allies who gathered to celebrate his political journey that the Mukasey fight goes to the heart of the issues that have defined his tenure in the Senate -- particularly his frequent and sometimes lonely defenses of the rule of law.

"Democrats can no longer be a part of the savaging of the U.S. Constitution," Feingold told the cheering crowd that packed Madison's Sardine restaurant on Saturday afternoon.

While acknowledging that George Bush's nominee to take charge of the Justice Department was "competent" and far more impressive than former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Feingold said, "When it comes to the issue of executive power -- what I consider to be the most important issue of our time -- Mukasey had not testified clearly or convincingly that he would as the nation's chief law enforcement officer demand that the president respect the laws of the land.

"That, to me, despite his many qualifications, is a disqualifier," the senator declared.

more at:
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/255170

[Dr.Phool]

1. Feingold was my first choice for president.

And I really understood when he decided against running. We need his sane voice in the Senate now, more than ever.

[opihimoimoi]

2. Yup,,,He is one of the best we have

[harun]

6. A great record over a long time period (n/t)

[Rageneau]

12. I guess Russ has changed his mind sine he voted for Ashcroft.

Back then -- as we Democrats screeched at him -- Feingold insisted on supporting Ashhcroft for AG because "the President should have the appointees he wants."

Granted, Ashcroft was not as bad as Gonzales, whom Russ opposed, but he was bad enough for MOST Democrats to vote not to confirm him. In those days, Russ was the one HELPING Bush get what he wanted.

I like Feingold, but let's not canonize him. He has screwed up plenty in the past by giving Bush ANY benefit of the doubt.

[harun]

15. I disagree

Think about if you were president. You would want (and rightfully so) to pick the people you want.

The confirmation process should bring up contentious points. But unless they don't have the qualifications to actually do the job at the end of the day I think they should flat our refuse very few people. It's the presidents choice and if people don't like right wing people being appointed they shouldn't vote for right wing presidents.

[loudsue]

22. If Dems win the white house in 2008, just watch the repukes in congress

block the Dem nominees. ESPECIALLY for justice, since the new atty. general under a dem just might send half the repukes to jail, and rightly so.

:kick:

[blondie58]

25. Ashcroft may not have been perfect

but at least he knew right from wrong. Remember that hospital room visit with Gonzo, where they were trying to get his signature? Now, I will never understand the 6K pieces of fabric to cover the breasts of those two beautiful statues but...

[Alexander]

27. Even Ashcroft refused to agree to warrantless wiretapping...

And for all we know, waterboarding as well.

[peacetalksforall]

28. Only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act. Can't beat that unless

you are a Dem leader with as much guts.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Mine too n/t

[spanone]

3. yes they can russ, just watch the vote in the judiciary committee tomorrow

you will be as horrified as i am

[MrCoffee]

4. oh come on, Russ, why stop now?

[williesgirl]

5. K&R for a true patriot.

[midnight]

7. It is stunning that such a conversation of this magnitude is taking

place, but even more stunning that Sen. Feingold is a minority on this issue. Hang tough Senator Feingold.

[bobthedrummer]

8. K&R-plus you can call your Congressperson toll free and let them know

that you expect their support of the impeachment of Richard B. Cheney tomorrow.

Here are the toll free numbers for Congress

1-800-828-0498, 1-800-862-5530, 1-800-833-6354

I'm proud to have Russ Feingold as one of my Senators.

NGU.

IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST-IMPEACH CHENEY NOW!
:patriot:

[Kurovski]

10. K&R. (nt)

[pacalo]

11. Thanks again to Sen. Feingold. Wish we had more like him & Leahy!

If this nominee can't distinguish right from wrong, he should have been nipped by the committee, but I salute Sen. Feingold's stand on this. The boy king can nominate his choice for Attorney General, but the AG must follow the Constitution as the highest-level law officer in the country.

[DCKit]

13. "Yes, I'm talking to YOU Chuck and Nancy." nt

[2 Much Tribulation]

14. NOBODY is supposed to "savage" the Constitution at ANY time, but OK... nt

[magellan]

17. The bar has been lowered

Not to diss Feingold at all, at least he tried to censure Bush**, but when you're reduced to saying things like "The Dems can no longer be part of savaging the Constitution", it's time to worry that the bar has been allowed to drop too low to shimmy under anymore...

[Land Shark]

16. k&R k&R k&R (is there an echo in here) nt

[Swamp Rat]

18. k&r

[deacon]

19. k + r

[deacon]

20. Look at this: Schumer, Feinstein ‘surprise’ thwarts efforts on Mukasey

The coordinated statements released late Friday afternoon by two Democratic senators that they would break ranks and support President Bush’s attorney general nominee largely muted opposition from a Democratic base that has become increasingly frustrated with Congress, activist leaders said Monday.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/schumer-feinstein-surprise-thwarts-efforts-on-mukasey-2007-11-06.html

[Senator]

21. Then Where's The Call For Impeachment, Senator Whinegold??

Why should Mukasey "demand that the president respect the laws of the land" when the DC Dems refuse to do so?

Failure to impeach is complicity -- approval -- exoneration for the regime.

---

[mopinko]

23. k&r this reply

it is great to have russ standing up and talking back home in madison. but i swear to god, if I were in congress, i would have chained myself to the fucking front door with a can of gasoline by now.
some body must draw a fucking lin ein the sand, ferchrissakes!

[DirtyDawg]

24. Particularly Significant..

The thing that strikes me as significant about Russ Feingold's announced position on Mukasey is the speculation that Schumer's and Feinstein's support was at the behest of AIPAC and that they were going to support this Jewish nominee just because he is. Feingold's was indeed important in that is demonstrates that the Senator from Wisconsin is first and foremost an honest American and committed to doing the right thing for the country - not that one in the Middle East with all those atomic weapons and a chip on it's shoulder.

[Time for change]

26. Draft Feingold for president!