RUSS FEINGOLD for VP? Good choice or no?

[SyracuseDemocrat]

Poll question: RUSS FEINGOLD for VP? Good choice or no?

I like Russ Feingold a lot, and I think that he would make a great VP pick for any of the nominees. Dean/Feingold would be good, or Kerry/Feingold, etc. He's jewish and he does support Israel, but he is not very outspoken on it. He is probably the most progressive member of the U.S. Senate; even a tad more liberal than the beloved Paul Wellstone, in my opinion. Before Paul Wellstone died I had been dreaming of a Wellstone/Feingold or Feingold/Wellstone ticket in 2004 or 2008...

Here are some of Russ Feingold's interest group ratings:

Voting Record: In 2000, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded Senator Feingold a perfect 100% rating for his commitment to racial equality.

Voting Record: In 2000, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda gave Senator Feingold a perfect 100% rating for his commitment to racial equality.

Voting Record: From 1999-2000, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights gave Senator Feingold among the highest ratings in the Senate for his support of civil rights.

2002-On the votes that the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League considered to be the most important in 2002, Senator Feingold voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.

2002-On the votes that the Human Rights Campaign considered to be the most important in 2002, Senator Feingold voted their preferred position 86 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the AFL-CIO considered to be the most important in 2002, Senator Feingold voted their preferred position 92 percent of the time.

Well, what do you think? Respond below.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

1. kick

:kick:

[CMT]

2. I voted no even though I think he is great

I want him to run for re-election to the senate next year--otherwise we may lose this seat in Wisconsin. I can see him running for president in 2012 (or even 2008 if a dem doesn't win).

[htuttle]

9. Same here

I don't want him to leave the Senate.

[wuushew]

3. As my senator he is great!

But in 2004 I don't think we would gain any boast similar to an Edwards VP in regards to a Southern strategy.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

4. I don't think Edwards would give

us any boost in the south. He will be lucky to even win re-election in North Carolina(his approval rating is in the low 40s), let alone putting North Carolina in the presidential D column. And other states, I don't know...

[xequals]

7. I agree with that

I'm from the North, but from what I know, many Southerners view Edwards as an opportunist who could care less about his own state and is only using it to be elected. A stunt like that can work for Hillary in NY because it is a liberal state and she's a beloved Dem, but Dems are the minority party in a GOP stronghold like NC.

[Bombtrack]

10. I guess thats why he's getting more money from the south

than any other candidate by at least a 2 to 1 margin. He's raised twice the money in texas than every other candidate combined(one and a half mill). Same with SC. That's why I think he can win most of the Febuary 3rd primaries, once people start getting to know about him and his ideas.

[Bombtrack]

8. I think You're wrong about that

Bill Clinton had lower numbers in Arkansas at the same time.

and his reelect numbers recently have been from 45-49. Different from approval but you'd think one wouldn't be lower than the other.

He could win North Carolina, and if he didn't it would be because Bush had to spend like hell in it. He's the only candidate who could win it, and the only candidate who could win Arkansas and Tennessee(where he lived for a long time)

He's also the only candidate who would cause Bush to spend substantiative money and resources in VA, LA, GA, AL, and SC

I actually think that and Edwards/Graham ticket could be the first ever democratic ticket to win every state of both the east and west coast

[LynneSin]

5. Supported the John Ashcroft AG nomination in the Judicial Committee

Sorry, that one burns my butt everytime and I'm still not buying that "We have to allow the pResident to have his choice for his cabinet" bull either.

BTW, the final vote would have been 12-12 had Feingold stuck with the democrats.

Don't get me wrong, he'd be a dream candidate even for President, but that Ashcroft nomination sinks him to somewhere above Lieberman.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

11. I don't hold it against him

He is the most liberal senator, and hE had no idea what Ashcroft would do, because 9/11 had not happened yet. Maybe you forget that Feingold was the only senator to vote against Ashcroft's patriot act? :shrug:

[xequals]

6. I like Russ but that wouldn't be a good strategic choice

He's too liberal and not from a strategic geographical area. The winner of the nomination will need to pick a running mate who's slightly to the right of himself, and from the South, of course.

[Bombtrack]

14. That really worked with Mike Dukakis

The presidential nominee should be from a potential swing-state. Not the bluest of the blue. That includes moderate southern states, some western states like Oregon, AZ, NV, and CO

but in this contest it'll either be 2 new englnanders who seem very liberal, an unappealing big city midwesterner, or 2 southerners who appear moderate

the choice is clear: Graham or better yet Edwards

[ewagner]

12. He is my Senator

I respect him deeply but he is much more suited to the Legislative Branch rather than Executive. He would be an incredibly good Majority Leader of the Senate.

on edit: I believe Graham would be the strategic choice for VP...

[NeonLX]

13. Same here...

I just can't imagine not having him representing our state. Though it could happen--his term is up in 2004 and some of the poll numbers in this state are downright scary. I guess many WI residents actually want a corporate-sponsored senator "representing" them...

[Cheesehead]

16. You hit it right on the head

We need Russ in Senate right now. Graham, Clark or Edwards would all be better VP candidates in 2004. I hope Russ has high aspirations for the future, but is doing valuable service now in a role he clearly loves.

[Perky]

15. Feingold is a problem.

On the one hand He is a smart cookie but has not focused on internatioal affairs which means he would not be a good complement for Dean.

I think he would play well with the voters...... But would it not be problematic and hypocritical for him to decry how large donors influence elections and policy and yet be seen wining and dining those same people because they need money to compete in the Grenereal election?

[ObaMania]

17. Nope...

.. we'd lose and then he'd be another Lieberman in 2008 feeling he has to run for Prez.

JMO

:shrug:

[FredScuttle]

18. Graham should be the VP choice

n/t