Sen. Russell Feingold has decided not to run in 2008. FEINGOLD. One of the most outspoken critics of the war. He has this to say....
"I'm sure a campaign for president would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda," wrote Feingold, who is from Wisconsin, in a letter e-mailed to supporters and posted on his Senate campaign web site. "At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget committees," the three-term senator said.
And the thing is....he's kinda right. He will have quite a bit of influence inside the beltway...and why risk a failed Presidential campaign simply to get people talking about the issues? He can actually change the issues right now. And something tells me he has his eye on that Majority leader position which would be a great way to chart the democratic agenda. But, Russ, I wanted Hillary to be the Majority leader so you or some other more leftist Democrat could run and be a nifty keen president.
I need to reflect on this a little bit more before I decide if it is good, bad or otherwise. At the very least, I am surprised. Why announce this NOW? Why not work for the next few months and then decide?
[edit] read THIS really interesting piece about Feingold...it will make you happy and sad. sad b/c he would make a really, really good president but happy because it almost makes it seem like he will be able to get his agenda pushed faster w/out all the 08 speculation.
5 Comments:
Here's something that should comfort you... the rumblings about Al Gore running again are getting louder and louder.
oh, that DOES make me feel better!
The quicker that the Democratic candidate comes into focus for '08, the quicker that they can solidify a solid message and platform for voters. I think the past few elections have shown quite a lack of focus. Hopefully having people bow out early will help fix that a little bit.
Hopefull.y
yeah, i guess optimistically we could think that the dem agenda will be talked about enough that we don't need multiple voices in the primary. it is true that divisive primaries hurt more than help....i would just like to see these left of center dems in the primary starting conversations.
the sooner a candidate steps up, the sooner and more completely a platform (and individual) will be scritinized and torn apart. i think we should still be a year away.
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