Reply #18: They may be the in blog, but consider that

[karynnj]

there is a tendency of all the blogs to blow things up beyond all reason. Consider that many Democrats have done or said things on this issue. Al Gore gave a speech that was spoken of as the speech of the decade for at least a week. Many Democrats, Kerry included. have unequivocally said they thing this violates the law. Where they differ is how they chose to address it.

Kerry called for investigation.
Durbin called for investigation.
Kennedy and Leahy have already put up legislation demanding an investigation.
Feingold called for Censure.

Feingold's approach is not necessarily the best and it is not true that the others are doing nothing. (In a way it's like the Murtha thing. Where people posted demanding all Democrats immediately back his plan - even if they thought a different one was better.) The censure thing will continue or fade away as it gets buried in committee.

What I find more interesting is the contrast with Kerry's filibuster. Feingold was not one of the first on board, he never spoke in favor of the filibuster, but he voted against cloture in the end. For, this he was never criticized. Although Feingold did this without talking to his peers, there were calls trashing Kerry for not signing on before Feingold even submitted the bill. Feingold went to the press 2 days after he first mentioned it complaining that his peers weren't behind him.

What will be the reaction in a few weeks when this goes nowhere? I think this helps Feingold, but in the long run I don't know how it will look.