I remember when he first ran for the Senate with mostly a populist approach. He was an underdog taking on a couple of millionaires, as I recall. But from opposing the Patriot Act, to fighting against most any domestic oil drilling, to the McCain-Feingold disaster, he has proved himself to be aligned with the far left at every turn.
He's talked of as a leading Dem presidential candidate for 2008, but most stridently by the unhinged left fringe in and around the blogosphere. As far as that goes, bring it on. This foolish move simply shows how far off from the thinking of the average American he is. Repeated polls have shown that the majority of Americans have no issue with the Patriot Act and are comfortable with the NSA story.
If he wants to pander to the fringe, let him - he can slip into history along with the likes of Howard Dean and become the next generations Ted Kennedy.
March 12, 2006— In an exclusive interview on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold called on the Senate to publicly admonish President Bush for approving domestic wiretaps on American citizens without first seeking a legally required court order.
"This conduct is right in the strike zone of the concept of high crimes and misdemeanors," said Feingold, D-Wis., a three-term senator and potential presidential contender.


Feingold's is a man of principle, and makes his decisions on them. As for Feingold having "proved himself to be aligned with the far left at every turn." It was brought up on this very same program how Feingold didn't vote with the rest of the democratic senators to dismiss the charges against Bill Clinton without hearing the case. He also voted against the majority of democrats in confirming Ashcroft and John Roberts.
So as far as your question, "What has happened to Russ Feingold?" Nothing. He is still is the only non millionare in the U.S. Senate, and he's still the same principled decision maker he's always been.
Posted by: Nathan | Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Nathan, assuming what you say is true - then he needs to grow up and stop being so naive. He can cling to his principles the next time a skyscraper falls from a terrorist attack, and his principles produced the likes of George Soros with 527's, it didn't elevate the voice of the common man. Yay, Russ. What good are principles adhered to by people with damned poor judgment?
Posted by: Dan | Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Wouldn't asking 'what happened to Jo Lieberman' be a more urgent question?
This guy wants to outdo the most rightwing neo-cons. So much for party loyalty. And this fellow wanted to become president. Wonder what's going on in his mind. I only can wonder how close he was to Wolfowitz $ Cie.
Posted by: Oyster | Monday, March 13, 2006 at 03:16 AM
Yeah, Feingold is somewhat extreme, Bush being censored would be interesting ... Dan, the 9-11 commission still has not answered many questions...Saw the original documentary 9-11...'Loose Change 2nd Edition' is the follow-up...All American's should see this, a copy has been recorded online: approx 1hr 22mins
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848
Posted by: *flo* | Monday, March 13, 2006 at 03:51 AM
Because Feingold often stands alone doesn't mean he's been walking out on the left plank. He, like everyone else should not be judged by a simple horizontal left-right axis. Vertically one can be a radical centrist working to reform political, corporate, and media corruption. Challenging big dogs shouldn't be a left right talking point. It is speaking for the common good of citizens.
expand your perception
http://www.politicalcompass.org
Posted by: keebler2012 | Monday, March 13, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Anyone who knows the slightest thing about the NSA domestic wiretapping knkows that it was against the law. Feingold just wants the president to have to be responsible for his actions.
Posted by: LP | Monday, March 13, 2006 at 02:14 PM