Russ Feingold endorses Occupy Wall Street: “This will make the Tea Party look like ... a tea party.”

[Ellipsis]

By Greg Sargent

“I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing. People around the country are finally organizing to stand up to the huge influence of corporations on government and our lives. This kind of citizen reaction to corporate power and corporate greed is long overdue.”

(snip)

“The guys who are protesting are not filing legal briefs,” he said. “They are expressing the populist, genuine view that people have been ripped off. It’s a fundamental identification of the fact that people are getting taken for a ride by powerful interests who are getting away with murder.”

“The worm is finally turning on the nonsense of blaming the wrong people for what happened in 2008,” said Feingold, whose new group, Progressives United, was formed to counter the Citizens United decision and corporate influence over politics. “The American people are saying, wait, we have the boot of corporations on our necks, and we’re sick of it. This is a significantly coherent message at the beginning of something like this.”



(snip)

“The White House should realize that this would be beneficial to the president and his reelection chances if he recognizes how correct the protesters are to be upset,” Feingold said. “It would be a mistake to try to coopt this. I’m hoping a mass movement will encourage the White House to listen to and respond to these concerns. It would be politically smart and the right thing to do.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/russ-feingold-endorses-occupy-wall-street-this-will-make-the-tea-party-look-like--a-tea-party/2011/03/03/gIQANucZNL_blog.html

[teddy51]

1. Still is and always will be one of my favorite politicians. Maybe we will see a

Feingold 2016 entry. (lets hope)

[me b zola]

2. I recommend everyone read the entire article

Here's a little more from Feingold:

“The worm is finally turning on the nonsense of blaming the wrong people for what happened in 2008,” said Feingold, whose new group, Progressives United, was formed to counter the Citizens United decision and corporate influence over politics. “The American people are saying, wait, we have the boot of corporations on our necks, and we’re sick of it. This is a significantly coherent message at the beginning of something like this.”


Feingold completely trashes the talking point that OWS does not have a coherent message.

[Ellipsis]

9. Agree 100%, it's a must read. n/t

[cyberpj]

3. "Feingold said he was moved to speak out because of condescending media coverage of the issue," nt

[cyberpj]

4. I wish Feingold would challenge for President - The mood is exactly right now. nt

[Ellipsis]

12. He said he wouldn't run for Govenor in the recall, too bad... he'd win big.

[Marrah_G]

5. I would like to see some real gutsy politicians show up together and join the protest.

[valerief]

6. Good line, Russ! nt

[formercia]

7. Tea Party Leadership accuses OWS of stealing their idea.

Luckily, they had nothing else worth stealing. :rofl:

[Frustratedlady]

8. He's always Russ...no airs, no fake dialogue. He's what you see.

I have always admired Russ, but I'm afraid he is one of the few that you could trust. In his own quiet little way, he gets the point across and it's usually sensible.

I'm glad to see this article.

[myrna minx]

10. Love you Russ.

:patriot:

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ellipsis.

[Ellipsis]

13. .

[malaise]

14. Nice Russ

:yourock:

[red dog 1]

15. We need 58 more Russ Feingolds!

OK we have Bernie Sanders and Russ Feingold, all we need now are 58 more senators with guts!

[Ellipsis]

16. kick

[Bozita]

17. K&R for Russ!

[BelgianMadCow]

18. Ha it's good to hear him

always had him up there as a candidate.

[brentspeak]

19. Russ: "This is like the Tea Party — only it’s real,"

:thumbsup: