Sen. Russ Feingold Getting A Divorce

[JI7]

<A U.S. senator from Wisconsin whose name has come up as a possible candidate for president in 2008 is getting a divorce from his second wife.

Russ Feingold issued a statement Monday from his Senate office.

Russ and Mary Feingold have been married for 14 years and said they separated amicably.

Feingold has two daughters from his first marriage. Mary Feingold has two sons from her first marriage.>


http://www.channel3000.com/news/4367564/detail.html

[RandomKoolzip]

1. Great. Fuel for the Right come 08.

[JI7]

3. huh ?

they are divorcing while remaining in good terms and still consider each other friends.

[RandomKoolzip]

5. They'll use it against him anyways.

Fundies don't get divorced, remember? :eyes:

[JI7]

6. Reagan ? and aren't divorce rates the highest in the bible belt areas

not that fundies would vote for Feingold or any other Democrat anyways.

[caledesi]

8. Yes, they are and the lowest divorce rate is in Mass. nt

[RandomKoolzip]

9. I'm not arguing logic, I'm arguing tactics.

As a reminder, we are all the way through the looking glass here. Logic has no bearing on whether the American people will vote for a candidate. It's all about image.

Plus, Reagan's absolved because...well, just because, okay?

[JI7]

16. of course, but they would do that with anyone

they did it with Kerry and Teresa who have a similar relationship to the one Russ is just ending with his wife.

call them out on Reagan and all the other republican mess. we should have made a bigger issue out of Neil Bush having herpes from cheating on his wife with prositutes and others.

[Mass]

27. I have no clue what you are talking about concerning Kerry>

or Feingold for the matter. What type of relationship are you talking about?

[JI7]

28. i'm talking about how both Kerry and Feingold

and their 2nd wives had all been married earlier and had kids in that first marriage.

so their 2nd marriage consisted of them and their kids from their first marriage.

kind of like a brady bunch thing.

[Mass]

24. Since Reagan, it is no more a problem

It was not a problem with Kerry. The only way it could be a problem is if the divorce got messy, which does not seem to be the case.

With Newt Gingritch being divorced at least twice and Rush Limbaugh three times, this will be void.

[Freddie Stubbs]

34. He isn't up for reelection in 2008

He was just reelected last year. He won't have to run again until 2010.

[ewagner]

2. I'm actually shocked by this

I had absolutely no clue that there was a problem here...

anybody else?

no rumors?

no gossip?

What's up? Will this cause Russ to reconsider his run for the Presidency?

lots and lots of questions here....

[JI7]

4. why does there have to be problems ?

from what i read both of them are on good terms. i'm sure it was one of those where they just feel it's time to end the relationship while still being friends. i doubt there is any "scandal" type stuff involved.

[sandnsea]

21. 2 divorces

Could be a problem. Feingold doesn't respect the sanctity of marriage, bla bla. If they go after someone with 1 divorce, they risk offending alot of people who have been divorced. But 2 divorces, that makes him a serial divorcer. On the other hand, Democrats could bring up the high divorce rates in red states and the economic factors that are stressing families. If they were smart enough to do that, which so far they haven't been. Let's just say, not having the second divorce would certainly be better. I like Feingold pretty well, hope he figures out how to maneuver through this if it becomes a problem.

[JI7]

25. i agree the Republicans will attack there if he is the nominee

but personally i'm prepared to defend him rather than get defensive if he is the NOminee.

i certainly don't want what happens where Democrats hear Republicans attacking and then go "OMG, what will we do nowwwww".and then demand the nominee answer every fucking charge coming from republicans.

i would rather not dwell on it and blow it off by calling it what it is, which is a personal attack to take away from real issues that matter and then quickly bring the focus on those issues. that's what Republicans usually do. they almost never answer the actual things being asked. but they do this with issues that matter also such as on the economy, foreign relations etc.

and of course bring up the things you mention about divorce rates in red states.

but as you say for it to work the entire party has to do it. the grassroots, top officials etc. and that seems to be where one of our biggest problems is. i mean, i would not be surprised if Dems running in red states run away from the issue.

[Mass]

31. NO : Newt Gingritch and Rush Limbaugh

+ McCain and Guliani.

They did very little on Kerry's divorce by itself. They spent most of their time describing JK + THK relationship in the most tortuous way the could (they did that to Dean too when they thought he was the nominee).

Now, if he is the nominee and is single, he would be the first unmarried nominee in a very long time. This could be interesting. He would probably not be able to meet with a woman without comments from both the gossip medias and the RWers.

[sandnsea]

39. I agree

Totally. And if he's going to run, then he needs to start laying the groundwork on divorce and the economy. Let's watch to see if he does that, so we can help. I really liked his "listening tour", because that's what I had said on occasion about Dean. You can't just "show up" in the south, you have to listen and figure out how to encompass their needs into the national platform. And maybe if we do that, we can get them to stop running away some contentious issues and actually stand up for some change down there.

[politicasista]

40. It's tiring to hear people talk like divorce is some kind of sin

Like Blinky and Pickles are so happily married. I would be prepared to defend him also.

[WI_DEM]

7. I don't think he will be running in '08

He might have survived one divorce several years ago, but I don't think he would two divorces and one close to the election.
It's a shame too, but I think he himself will decide not to run and this could be one factor.

[MADem]

12. You got that right

NO WAY. Toast. Done.

Scratch him off the wish list.

That said, my dog would make a better president than the chimp, so it isn't like we can't find others to fill out the field.

[JI7]

17. maybe part of the reason for the divorce has to do with him wanting to run

and take on a more national role and his wife doesn't really want to go through all that. so rather than try to focus on working on their relationship to try to improve it they are just ending it.

[politicasista]

42. Maybe

:shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

55. I'm sure we will not be privy to those details.

14 years is a long time. Too bad they couldn't work things out.

[JI7]

10. here is some more on their statement

notice they are releasing the statement together

<Feingold and his wife, Mary, issued a joint statement through the Democrat's Senate office saying they have decided to end their marriage of 14 years.

"We are separating amicably, and intend to remain very good friends," the statement said.>


http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/11367356.htm

[MADem]

14. Does he have a McGreevey issue?

Two divorces, amicable separations?

[merci_me]

11. I surprised

as I was just watching a clip on Cspan yesterday of the two of them together in Alabama. Come to think of it, I didn't actually see her, but he mentioned her and them in a way that seemed if she wasn't with him there, certainly she was included in the picture as he talked of the future.

Well, if there is a split, I hope for all involved, it's as friends. There's something to be said, for people who know when the time has come and are able to still like and respect each other.

[borg5575]

13. He might have decided to look for a more politically savvy wife.

It was well known that his present wife didn't want him to run for president. Politics unfortunately can break up a lot of marriages.

[MADem]

15. Yeah, but too much divorce breaks up runs for higher office

If that was the only thing in the way, all he would have had to do to keep the marriage intact is not run. The divorce ruins that anyway. There's something else going on.

[JI7]

20. unlikely , i can't see Feingold being

the type to divorce in hopes of a wife better suited to help him in politics. especially after 14 years together.

[AmericanDream]

46. I agree..

he seems too ethical a guy to play politics with his marriage and life.

[LdyGuique]

18. He's Jewish

NONE of the Christian fundie stuff applies to him -- and just let them try and unleash an anti-Semetic campaign against him--That's one show I don't want to miss :popcorn:

Actually, getting his divorce out of the way this far in advance of the 2008 possible campaign makes it a non-issue -- especially since they are not going to duke it out in public for the Freeps benefit.

[safi0]

23. The problem could arise

If hes still unmarried by then. There was a big deal made about Dean's situation with his wife and I'd think it'd only be worse if the person wan't married. Looking at the other side of the aisle I think Lindsay Graham would be a strong Republican candidate but his bigest problem is that hes unmarried.

[Clark2008]

50. If he's not remarried by then?

Hell, I've been divorced for four years and don't even have any prospects.
Where would he meet, date and marry a woman in the course of 18 months and it be legit? I mean, I guess it happens, but I don't think I'd be alone in being skeptical that this was the cause of the divorce.
Personally, I don't care that he's getting a divorce. It's none of my damn business. I like Russ, fine, and this wouldn't even be an issue I'd consider when deciding if I'd vote for him or not.
He won't get the fundie vote, anywho. Most of it's just pap for the entertainment media.

[Renew Deal]

19. Reaganesque

This man is electable. :evilgrin:

The good news is he won't have to answer for any Teresa type comments.

[ClarkUSA]

26. How is it Reaganesque? Reagan was married to Nancy and had kids...

with her by the time they hit the White House trail.

[Renew Deal]

32. He was divorced once.

Before he married Nancy

[ClarkUSA]

41. That is true, but didn't Reagan divorce before he was even in politics?

There are alot of once-divorced politicians but I don't recall another twice-divorced politician who had Presidential ambitions.

[Renew Deal]

43. I don't remember any either.

I was trying to think of one. I think a couple went in single.

[Mass]

44. Newt Gingritch (we'll see if he runs).

[AmericanDream]

33. This is no Reaganesque situation

Reagan and nancy were married a LONG time... they were in commercials all over the country, their kids had grown up, and they obviously had a very close relationship. Sadly enough, I see this as an end for his presidential prospects for '08... but he could still be a good VP nominee. Americans like the celebrity part of the presidency and that is where the first lady comes in. Two divorces would be hard to explain in a country where "family values" have become a political issue.

[Renew Deal]

38. I'd like to agree

But the divore rate is over 50% with most divorces in the red states. I think 2 divorces would be OK if they were clean.

[AmericanDream]

45. Unfortunately...

we don't apply the same standard to public figures esp. politicians as we do to the common public. Politicians are supposed to be exemplary with a nice, old american family ... as sad as it is, it would be a big hurdle to overcome. But I don't think anywone would mind if he's the VP nominee... and I think he would be great at the second spot.

[Mass]

47. Half of the Republicans candidates for president in 2008 are divorced

Hagel/McCain/Guliani to begin with.

If the divorce does not make waves and is finished soon, this will not be a problem.

[JI7]

49. Hagel has been divorced also ?

i didn't know that.

[Mass]

51. Yes

early on I think. He does not have children from his first wedding.

[karynnj]

52. RW talking points - Teresa also made many incredibly good comments

that were never reported on. Go to either John Kerry's web site or to the Heinz Foundation's web site, the person the media defined Teresa to be is not who she is. Remember the Republicans wanted her to run for her husband's seat and a few years later the Bush I administration chose her as one of 10 non-governmental Americans to (along with those in government - including Kerry) go to the Rio environmental conference.

Teresa also had enough medical savvy to pick up a change in one of her husband's medical measurements and pushed him to call the doctor for more tests - probably saving her husband's health, if not his life.

The RW was willing to absolutely trash Teresa's reputation, but then cried crocodile tears when Teresa commented that Laura had not worked since she was young. (Neglecting a few years as a teacher and a librarian, that ended before she was 30.)

[kentuck]

22. Are we going to apply family values to Russ Feingold?

Although I am a little surprised by the story, I would not jump to any conclusions. They may reconcile??

[RandomUser]

29. This is a "seperation" and not "divorce," right?

Hopefully they can reconcile after a seperation cooling off period and not get divorced. Or am I mistaken?

[JI7]

30. nope, it's a divorce

see the link in post 10

[Radical Activist]

35. He's sounding more like Kucinich all the time.

Considering how many Americans have been through a divorce its hard to see this as a big issue anymore. We need to stop letting self-righteous conservative hypocrites define what makes someone electable for us.

[x_y_no]

36. I can't see this being a problem ...

for much of anyone who would be voting for him anyway.

This isn't the 1950's.

[LimpingLib]

37. O golly my us "anti fundie" Democrats cant support him now

It always amazes me that the same people who scream and chant over "winning the culture war" and make Roe V Wade the most important issue in the world NOW want to throw Feingold to the side as "enelectable" .

Nevermind the hypocrisy,but do issues even matter anymore?

Im not a Culture Warrior liberal myself , but I say screw you to the Repubicans OR DEMOCRATS (including on DU) who want to make this some type of political issue.Infact Im going to flip the bird at those HERE who say so.

Get a life.

[Mass]

48. It is absolutely amazing.

People are rushing to say he is no more electable. What is their problem?

[zulchzulu]

53. I'm glad Russ is getting this out of the way

As for ANY neocons trying to make this an issue, surely they have had divorces. I would love to see some putz like Newt bring this up as an issue...or Rush Limpole...Hannity, a man who stoops to any level to invade others' privacy and has made a career out of it, will possibly bring it up without mentioning any of his theocon asswipes working on multiple marriages...

[FrenchieCat]

54. Divorce is a very hard choice to make.

I am sorry that Senator Feingold and his wife were not able to make their marriage work. Divorce is no picnic, especially for the children (even if they are not children from the current marriage). Someone once told me that ending a marriage can be one of the hardest and most hurful experience there is. I've been married for 20 years, only once, and therefore have no clue of the hardships involved....but I can imagine and I certainly sympathize with both parties.

Beyond that, I have no clue if Senator Feingold will run for President, nor do I have a clue how having the status of a twice divorcee would affect anything. I do know that Americans, as a whole, are becoming more conservative, but I don't know how many and how much. Would this event deny Feingold a larger portion of the Catholic vote? I don't know this.

That being said, I don't know if a Senator by the name of Feingold who is twice divorced will appear as the best presidential prospect in 2008. I will say that time will tell all.

[saracat]

56. Oops! This is NOT good for Russ!

For some reason, THEY can be divorced but not us! And he would be running single (most likely) . Not an optimal scenario. But it could be spun correctly. If he gets someone good enough at spin.

[LimpingLib]

57. "it could be spun correctly"

LOL

People just DONT GET Feingold.

A short while after the real campaign begins or sometime later,Feingold is going to get the brainwashed on DU and across the nation to all with a collective voice say " 'spin'...whats that good for in a campaign of issues?"

I dont think people can imagine a world and especially a campaign free of b.s.

People just dont get it.

Feingold never "spun" crap yet still won his first Senate run with 70% of the vote while an UNDERDOG against 2 strong opponents in the Democratic primary who "spun correctly" every step of the way.

The he beat his 2 term GOP incumbent.

Spin that!

Feingold will so some "spin"ning alright. He will cause some of these limelight clowns who never ran for a lower office to spin in circles with their elite pollsters as they get dizzy from their pathetic ego trip ("Im running for Presnident") gone wrong.

[saracat]

58. You are right. People don't get it because it isn't true.

All campaigns are some version of "spin" even when the "spin" is NOT to "spin".All spin is ,is the control of perception, and that is what every campaign does. If they didn't do it ,it wouldn't be a campaign.
"Spin" can be as simple as picking the best looking lettering for signs, and picking a tie that matches the candidates eyes. I am sure the Feingold camp does some "spinning" otherwise they wouldn't run a good campaign!

[DoveTurnedHawk]

59. I Never Really Liked Him That Much Anyway

But hey, tastes vary.

DTH