His being a down-to-earth Midwesterner might help him to win Ohio and tighten the Democratic grip on the Great Lakes by winning larger majorities in Minnesota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The one question is how he would do in the southwest. If he listened to me, he'd campaign just as hard in Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico as he would in Ohio, New Hampshire, or Iowa. I don't even care all that much about Florida anymore, but campaigning in swing areas like Orlando and Tampa wouldn't hurt.

The point is, whoever wins has to do strongly in the Great Lakes and not overlook the southwest. They also need to rally the base instead of pandering to moderates, which never works anyway.

"I am troubled by some provisions that were added in conference that have nothing to do with reforming our intelligence network," Feingold said. He later added: "This Justice Department has a record of abusing its detention powers post-9/11 and of making terrorism allegations that turn out to have no merit."

more here: www.politicalthought.net

Positives: He is bright, tough, and articulate. He is a member of the progressive caucus and can legitimately carry the reform torch.

Negatives: His ability to inspire and motivate is average. So, his ability to make a connection with a national consituency that does not know him will be a concern. And, he will need to raise a ton of cash because he does not have any family connections to rely on.  

I think the country has to be brought to the 'left' a lot more before his candidency would have even a 50-50 shot. In today's climate, Feingold couldn't win a single Southern or Western Plains/Mountain state either... not one. Not even contest most Southern or Plains states...

And don't get me wrong, I like him... like him a lot.

Unless the Dems do a whole lot of work between now and 2008 redefining the issues and clarifying what we stand for... Feingold would get beat up as bad or worse than Kerry did.

This is why a solid DNC chairman is SO important... We need to start working now to have any shot at 2008 no matter who runs...

My dream ticket for '08 is some variation of Russ and Bill Richardson, so this is very exciting news.

(and I'm not just saying all this 'cuz I'm angling for an internship in his office).

Since I am on dial up now, I won't try and get into any heated arguments...too much time to load the page.

1. Russ Feingold has many friends in labor.  He has consistently opposed unfair trade agreements -- he voted against NAFTA, WTO, and most favored nation trading status for China -- that have cost us hundreds of thousnads of jobs.  He has consistently fought to protect American jobs.  If he can secure a couple of big endorsements from labor, he would have huge momentum.

2. Even though many people may not know a lot about Senator Feingold, most likely primary and caucus voters are familiar with McCain-Feingold.  Russ courageously put his Senate seat at risk by pushing for campaign finance reform. If you're a Demorcat and there's a Republican senator you want to be assoicated with, it's definitely John McCain.

3. Wisconsin borders Iowa.  Historically, candidates from states bordering Iowa have fared well in the Iowa caucuses.

4. Unlike most of his potential rivals, Russ Feingold courageously voted against giving George W. Bush a blank check to invade Iraq.  At the time of the vote, Feingold correctly pointed out that an invasion of Iraq would be a diversion from the war on terror.  How prophetic!

5. Russ has won elections when he was outspent by his opponents.  He was outspent by his opponents in the '92 primary, '92 general, and '98 general elections, yet still managed to prevail.  I really appreciate how Russ has talked about having more of a grass roots party.  He wants the Democratic party to rely less on big contributors and instead expand the number of small contributors.  

6. Even though Russ may not be the most dynamic speaker, I think he could really excel in the town hall meeting format with Iowa and New Hampshire voters. Even his critics concede his command and understanding of the issues. The more voters get to know Russ, the more they will like him.

The biggest concern people seem to have is that he's not a dynamic speaker. Well, ladies and gentlement, I give you George W. Bush as exhibit "A" on how little this really matters.

What's more, people have a way of growing when they run for President. Not everyone, but the ones who have something authentic to offer really do seem to grow in the process. I think we saw that with both Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich this last time out. Unfortunately, we did not see it with John Kerry.

Yes, he did much better than Kerry did in WI, but he is very well known to the voters in WI. How good is he going to look to the rest of the country after the right-wing hate machine goes to work on him? Remember that less than 1 percent of the population even knows who he is right now.

To my mind, the biggest problem we face is the conservative domination of the media agenda. No matter who is the Democratic nominee, no matter how moderate or maverick or well-spoken, he will be demonized on radio and tv, with a whispering campaign in the churches add for good measure. ("Did you know Feingold does not believe that Jesus Christ is our savior?")

We need to address this problem if Feingold or anyone else is to have a chance in 2008.

That's me asking the question on drug policy and the drugwar at the end.

Also, video of his debates in the last race Oct. 1 Oct. 16 (also IE only.)

It's my hope to transition to an official, as in FEC registered Draft sometime in January. No fundraising until that threshold is crossed.

Just as Catholic presidential candidate Al Smith was hurt by claims that he would take orders from the Pope, and JFK had to reassure Protestants that he wouldn't, Feingold may be accused of being in Israel's pocket, simply because of his religion. Even pro-Israel voters might be afraid to elect him, fearing that he'd have to compensate for his perceived bias by taking a hard line with Israel.

In any case, general anti-semitism would inevitably be a factor. A 2003 Fox News poll found that 12% said that they'd be less likely to vote for a Jewish candidate, and a University of Florida study the same year found that 11% of Floridians would actually be "angered" by a Jewish candidate!

One likely positive factor would be increased support among Jewish voters. However, Jews make up only about 3% of the electorate, and most already vote Democratic. (74% voted for Kerry.) Also, the states with the largest Jewish population are nearly all blue states already. There may not be much more to gain from a Jewish loyalty effect.

I'd like to think a Jew could be elected President in today's America, but I doubt it's going to happen in 2008. A Jewish Vice President is possible, as Liebermann showed, and I'd rather have Feingold than Liebermann any day. But being V.P. would be a waste of Russ's talents; I'd rather have him in the Senate.

SENATORS DON'T WIN!

As far as religion is concerned, I am a Catholic and Russ's religion has absolutely no impact on my vote.  Unlike Joe Lieberman, Russ rarely discusses his religion in public.  The few people who wouldn't vote for Russ based on his religion are probably the same people who would never vote for a Democrat anyway.  I am looking for the best qualified candidate with whom I generally agree on the issues and who articulates a vision for a better America.  I've found that person, and his name is Russ Feingold.

Also, I agree with the other post about senators not winning. We need a governor, not another senator. Clinton and Carter were both governors and they won. The only two Dems to win since 1964. The 2008 Dem ticket needs to be NON-Capitol hill. Otherwise, it's very difficult to claim the reform mantle, no matter what legislation your name is on. Richardson should definitely be on the ticket in some fashion in 2008. With Richardson on the ticket, Dems take Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.

I know some of Russ' votes have angered people on both sides of the political spectrum, but he votes the way he does based on principle.  Anyone doubting that should take a look at some of the messages that came into his office after voting against the Patriot Act.

I don't know if Russ really wants to be president, and I couldn't possibly predict his chances of success, but I know if he decides to run, I'm signin' up to help.

http://www.thenation.com/thebeat/index.mhtml?bid=1&pid=2071

We're a group of Iowans who are planning a "Draft Feingold" movement.  It sounds as if there are lots of Russ fans across the country, and we'd love to work with you.

The above comments are correct.  While he is a Senator, he is the ultimate outsider.  Having turned down and voted against every pay raise, voting against the war and the USAPATRIOT Act, campaign finance reform, etc, he's more of a reformer that than any of our other potential 2008 options.

We need to reclaim the midwestern/western populist message if we want to win.  No more southerners, no more northeasterners - we need a reformer from the land of Lafollette to win.

Right now - we are designing our website, however, anyone who wishes to contact us can do so at draftruss@gmail.com  

Please, Feingold-iacs we need to band together and build a nationwide draft effort.