Feingold Will Not Run in 2008
Sunday November 12, 2006
Category: History and Profiles
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) has announced that he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, disappointing many civil libertarians who were impressed by Feingold's record.
Among other things, Feingold was:
So who does that leave? Read below for a few civil liberties-focused profiles on likely 2008 Republican candidates, and keep watching this site over the coming weeks for upcoming civil liberties-focused profiles of emerging candidates in both parties.
Likely Candidates for 2008:
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Among other things, Feingold was:
- The only U.S. senator to vote against the PATRIOT Act in 2001.
- The U.S. senator who attempted to pass a censure resolution against President Bush over the controversial NSA Spygate domestic wiretapping program.
- The only heretofore-likely 2008 presidential candidate to openly support same-sex marriage.
So who does that leave? Read below for a few civil liberties-focused profiles on likely 2008 Republican candidates, and keep watching this site over the coming weeks for upcoming civil liberties-focused profiles of emerging candidates in both parties.
Likely Candidates for 2008:
Comments
While progressives (including me) greatly admire Senator Feingold’s wisdom and legislative courage, he had no chance to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.
He had almost no chance before the 2006 midterms, but after the November 2006 turn to the Democratic center by voters, Feingold’s progressive candidacy lost all practical hope.
As sad as I am to admit it, this is a non-story, Tom. Everyone knew it.
It IS a relief, though, that the senator also knew it, and didn’t make build a futile 2008 campaign. No one wants to see such a good man lose.
Ah, but they said Reagan was out of the mainstream, too–and he won 49 states. The secret is to have a candidate who makes her positions look good, not a candidate who happens to have all the properly milquetoast, centrist positions. This is something the Democratic Party seems determined not to learn, but it has served Feingold well in Wisconsin, a moderate bellwether state.
Cheers,
TH
If Russ Feingold decides to run for the White House, you can bet his “mug” will appear on a warning label as part of the Warning Labels On Politicians™ campaign. The Warning Labels On Politicians™ campaign is a public service effort aimed at giving people the same type of warnings about politicians that they currently receive about other harmful things in life, such as drugs, tobacco, pesticides, etc. To learn more, type “Warning Labels On Politicians” in a Google search.
Good info on the likely Republican candidates, but I don’t think Pataki’s signing of hate crime laws should be listed in the ‘pro’ column. Hate crime is just another term for thought crime. Initiating violence against a person is already illegal, and it sets a dangerous precedent to punish the aggressor for his thoughts as well, no matter how vile they may be.
Well, I’m sad to hear that he won’t be running. If nothing else, he certainly would’ve brought a breath of fresh air to the debates!