Feingold Still Likes McCain: "He's An Independent"

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

If Republican John McCain needs someone to vouch for his independence, he could easily do worse than Senate colleague Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, a liberal Democrat from a key battleground state.

"I think the guy calls 'em as he sees 'em, and as president would call 'em as he sees 'em, and would make people mad all over the place because it wouldn't fit anybody's playbook," said Feingold, who teamed up with McCain to rewrite federal campaign laws.

"He would be very original," Feingold said.

Those are not exactly Democratic talking points.

Read the whole story: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Comments

[Mack1124]

A year ago, Democrats wanted Feingold to run for President. He says nice things about McCain, a colleague of his in the Sentate, and now Democrats are posting his phone number urging Obama supporters to call and as one blogger state, "he needs to shut his pie hole until after the election".

Yeah, this is Change I Can Believe In.

Obama supporters can you now understand why you are called "mindless".

[alieninvader]

Actually, we don't have blind allegiance, unlike ditto heads. If someone makes a mistake, we hold them accountable.

[AnnieinOR]

blindless loyalty? booshiechaynee ring any bells in that empty tin can??? now falling in line behind a bo mb 'em all... nu ke em all... p s y c h o?

[NYC80]

People here are delusional, The DNC is willing to give the republicans the white house just as long the demos keep two strong majorities in both houses of congress. I don't think the demos like the idea of having control of the three branches because they will not have a excuse to do nothing, and in 2010 they would lose congress to the GOP.

[speeddeeps]

maybe you are right, why else would you make these kind of comments

[MidSection]

hey isn't Feingold one of your favorite pols? People certainly are wishy washy on this blog. So damn fickle. There is no honor on this site.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

There used to be honor on this site. Until the Dems. turned on one another. Now it's a hot mess.

[littlepuffycloud]

Call Russ at 202-224-5323 and ask if he could perhaps muster the same enthusiasm for Senator Obama; the nominee from Feingold's own party. CALL HIM!

[alieninvader]

I just called his office. The guy who answered the phone was very rude. I politely asked to leave a message asking him to support the Democratic party and the guy just argued with me that he did support the Democratic party. I can pretty much guarantee that call will go nowhere.

[jsinclair]

It's still a good idea. If he gets enough calls, a staffer will mention the volume and pattern, if nothing else.

He disappoints.

[ratcityreprobate]

Who knew Feingold was such a slow learner?

[ChiGuy]

Feingold needs to shut his pie-hole until after the election.
Some fence-sitters that admire him might hear his mild words and think to themselves, "Well, if Russ likes him, I guess I can vote for him."

[BADEN]

'OK, I'll ask....

WHAT PART OF FASCIST FATHER DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, SENATOR:

HE'S A PART OF THE PROBLEM NOW ON THE TELEVISION IN GEORGIA...

HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL (let me repeat that), THE INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICANS:

IN GEORGIA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE THAT "DEMOCRACY" PAX AMERICANA CRAP IS SPREAD.

http://www.iri.org.ge/eng/engmain.htm

[alieninvader]

Thank you for posting that. That's scary as s@#t. Now, how do we get the MSM or even the popular blogs like Huff to cover it?

[gevan]

Independent of intelligence, reason and truthfullness. That's the definition of a maverick, isn't ti?

[scooperss]

I made a somewhat disparaging about feingold one time when he blogged here and got called out because he was "one of the good ones"

There are NO good ones, just politicians out for themselves until we vote out the rich..

[comacoma]

We'd be better off filling public office by means of a lottery - we might just wind up with someone intelligent and compassionate in office somewhere....

[BADEN]

Hey, that's not a bad idea!

[loax]

I don't see where he endorsed McCain here. Maybe he does call him as he see them - at least for that one minute. It depends who called him last!

[JackND]

In other words he literally "calls them as he sees them".

And then out of sight, out of mind.

[harriscrl3]

You know whats ironic the more obstacles that is placed in Obama's way in a election year that is suppose to be the year of Democrats he has to contend with members of his party the GOP and republican nominee. The more convinced I become that this is the best candidate for President that this is someone who is going to make a difference in Washington. The people in Washington are afraid of losing their comfort zones and you know which ones they are because they come out and act stupid and say stupid things when they know JOhn McCain's policies do NOTHING for middle America and these people are suppose to represent middle America.

Amercan people is READY for change Washington is AFRAID of change what does that tell ya.

Carol

[JJeff88]

Buried within the story is its essence:

""I'd rather have Obama for many, many reasons," Feingold said, citing his deep differences with McCain over foreign policy, health care and civil liberties, and his belief that Obama could be an inspirational president.

He also is critical of McCain's campaign, suggesting that its efforts to "tarnish" Obama may end up tarnishing McCain as well.

"But the notion that somehow (McCain) is going to get in there and be some kind of ideological Newt Gingrich right-winger is a joke. There's no way that he would do that," Feingold said."

[SCG2]

Exactly. He's denergizing the far right with that Gingrich quote. Recall Mc Cain blowing a fuse when reminded of his consideration as Kerry's VP a few months ago?

[wmholt]

Feingold is my Senator, and I normally love everything he does. This stinks.

The only thing I can think of is that Obama hasn't given Russ Feingold his due, or Russ is still upset over FISA. I thought he had become disillusioned with McCain after seeing MCain back away from all of the things that McCain and Feingold worked on. I guess I was wrong.

[Grunty1]

"I think the guy calls 'em as he sees 'em (Strugis), and as president would call 'em as he sees 'em (Czechoslovakia), and would make people mad all over the place (bear rape) because it wouldn't fit anybody's playbook (lack of sense)" said Feingold

"He would be very original (reading froim the teleprompter)" Feingold said.

Mr Subliminal?

[cbates]

Bill Clinton gave the perfect answer to the question "is Barack qualfied to be President of the United States of America?" His answer was the constitution spells out the qualifications. I believe there are 3 qualifications.. First are you a natural born United States Citizen, second, are you at least 35 years of age and 3 do you have a criminal record? Beyond those questions all else is hog wash.

So why is Fiengold hedgin? I think because they all want status quo and not fundamental change.

[harriscrl3]

THank you because Lobbyist have them ALL in their pockets its not just a republican problem Dems are SLEEPING with Lobbyist too and they dont want to give up that luxury and they know in an Obama administration that kind of stuff wont be tolerated because if they are watercarrier for the lobbyist their names are going to be be broadcast for their consituents to see. Obama will engage the American people McCain will just let them go back to their lives while they trust their government to take care of them. Thats why they dont want change they wont be able to line their pockets.

Carol