Live Chat with Russ Feingold: 'Worth fighting for'
What I've always loved about Russ is that, irrespective of political ideology, he has remarkable personal integrity and political courage that are sadly all too rare for United States senators. Even more impressively, Russ understands that the goal of being a senator should be the betterment of America and not the betterment of himself. For example, Russ has not only opposed giving himself a raise year after year, but he's actually returned the raises that senators have typically gotten automatically every year. There are very few politicians out there who will turn down extra money, but Russ Feingold is one of them.
Additionally, Russ Feingold was the one Democrat to buck his party on financial reform because he (correctly) felt that the bill didn't go far enough to rein in the power of the banks. Russ, bless his heart, was also one of the few Senate Democrats smart enough to vote against the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act, which for decades had served as a firewall between commercial and investment banks. And of course, when Wall Street came limping into Washington in the fall of 2008 begging for bailout cash, Russ told them to get lost.
And Russ's stances on key economic issues are not his only virtues. As Glenn Greenwald notes, his brave stands on civil liberties issues have been no less compelling, none more so than his lonely vote against the USA PATRIOT Act a mere six weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
For all the good that Russ Feingold has done for this country, I think it's time we help him back. Russ is locked in a very tight race with yet another richy-rich conservative who wants to use his fortune to buy himself a cushy Senate seat. Ron Johnson is your standard fare Banana Republican who rails against the government intruding on the "free market" but is only too happy to line up at the troth if he has the opportunity. And like most Banana Republicans, he longs to see America instill more "business certainty" into its economy by acting more like China, which doesn't have any pesky labor or environmental laws to get in the way of the quest for corporate profits.
Replacing Russ Feingold with Ron Johnson would be like throwing out all your Bob Dylan records and replacing them with Justin Beiber MP3s: In other words, you'd be tossing out a soulful, truth-tellin' Midwestern Jewish progressive for a creepy piece of corporate plastic. That's not what I want and I'm pretty sure you don't want it either. That's why today we've set up a Russ Feingold moneybomb cheddarbomb page here so you can donate money to Russ's campaign and keep him in the Senate, where we need his toughness, intelligence and values now more than ever.
As an added bonus, we'll be hosting a live chat today with Senator Feingold hosted by our own Susie Madrak. Susie, if you'd like to take it away now, I present you all with one of my heroes, Senator Russ Feingold.
Be sure to check out Russ's Act Blue page.
Russ Feingold has been the man who reminds us that selling out in politics isn't inevitable. He's stood up on so many things that counted and now, thanks to the Tea Party, he has a tough race.
Thank you for talking with us today, Senator. How's the mood out on the campaign trail?
The mood among our supporters is increasingly better after a tough few months. We all know we are in a challenging year but we're up to the challenge. I have rarely seen people more motivated than they are now.
or a Bob Dylan vs Justin Beiber slam?
Hello everyone! Thanks to Crooks and Liars for having me here today and for supporting my campaign's Cheddarbomb. And a special thanks to Brad Reed for the warm introduction. I'll be here for a bit and happy to take some questions.
Affecting your race this year? Is it different from the usual right-wing movements?
The Tea Party is providing a new energy but not all of it goes to the Republican Party establishment candidates. They're interested in my opposition to bad trade agreements that ship jobs overseas, my stand against the Wall Street bailout and my opposition to the USA Patriot Act. They realize that my opponent has masqueraded as a Tea Party candidate but doesn't support them on a lot of key issues.
So they're actually saying they'll support you? Or is it still too early to call?
We're happy to have you here and show you all the support we can.
Thanks for having me, John!
Russ Feingold is one of only a handful of people in politics who is worth a damn. Too many Democrats are in bed with Wall Street and care little for Main Street.
CaliforniaMike blogs at All Voices and at his own blogs, http://www.mikerappaport.net/onevoice and at http://oneminutewithmike.blogspot.com.
I hear that around the state more often than I'd like to. This is why I tried to persuade Democrats to be tougher on Wall Street.
Who says he never took goverment money for his business. That holds a lot of appeal for some people -- is it true?
His business clearly got major government assistance and instead of thanking the taxpayers for help, he's denying he got it. He's not shooting straight with the people of Wisconsin.
Hi Sen. Feingold, we're rooting for you over at OpenLeft.
I have immense respect for you as one of just 14 Senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.
There are currently 114 co-sponsors of Rep. Nadler's Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA. But there's no companion bill in the Senate.
Will you introduce one if re-elected, and work to bring your colleagues onboard?
I promise I will be one of the most hard-working advocates and sponsors or main authors of such legislation.
it's like 1962 all over again and the fight between Welsh and Buckley.
many of the commenters say they are going to vote green party. I'm have bee n suggesting that the green paarty candidates run as democrats. They are on board with democrats more than teabaaggers are with republicans but the republicans have taken over the teea party. Why wouldn't dems favor more green party candidates running on a democrzatic ticket?
Sen Feingold - If Dems end up holding the senate, what action if any do you plan on taking in January to ensure that the "60 votes needed to pass anything" standard does not apply for Dems (it never seems to for Republicans)? And what can activists do to ensure the Senate becomes less dysfunctional?
Best of luck in November!
I am open to efforts to crack down on abuses of the filibuster we have seen in recent years. For example, I support forcing those who are filibustering to actually show up for it rather than putting the burden on those who want to move things forward.
I see that Ron Johnson apparently needs another few weeks before talking about the issues. Has Ron Johnson said how many terms he would serve in the Senate? It's funny that a guy would criticize you for basically having the same job HE wants.
He has consistently avoided answering the question of whether he would apply term limits to himself. I have always opposed term limits and have said so publicly.
That he's willing to spend all of his considerable money to take the job he's criticizing the Senator for having. Logic doesn't really have a place here, apparently.
Steve Hanson
Uppity Wisconsin
Can you please tell us what you think about the new Israeli/Palestinian Peace Talks and Israel allowing illegal settlements to continue in the occupied territories?
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
I am extremely pleased that for the first time in a long time direct talks are occuring. Although our hopes have been dashed in the past, I am pleased the Obama administration is putting an emphasis on this. Clearly resolving the settelement issue is critical for making this process work.
First of all, thanks for live chatting Sen. Feingold.
I was wondering what your reaction to the Supreme Court decision earlier this year (Citizens United Vs. FEC) .
This decision was one of the worst decisions in the history of the Court. It undermined a century of settled law and gave enormous power to corporations and other wealthy interests to influence elections. We need a new Court to overturn this. In the meantime, I will work to advance the DISCLOSE Act to at least blunt the effect of this terrible decision.
The rationale behind the administration's embrace of so many of the same national security policies that disturbed us during the Bush years? And have you felt the heat from the White House for opposing those policies?
It is important to note that President Obama is clearly better on these issues than President Bush. But I am troubled by some positions he has taken. For example, I don't agree with his position on the state secrets privilege. And I am very disappointed that he has not embraced our efforts to reform the PATRIOT Act. The administration knows I am an independent voice on these issues and I will continue to be.
First of all, thanks for taking the time to stop by C&L. I also wanted to let you know that you have a real bang-up internet operation up there - even before the cheddar bomb.
Here's my question: What has happened to Chris Dodd these past few weeks and where do you stand on the appointment of Elizabeth Warren?
Side question: Can you compare your opponent to some of the other extremists Republicans have nominated in Senate campaigns this cycle?
Sharon Angle?
O'Donnell?
Joe Miller?
Thanks and good luck. I donated today.
Tim
Tim, thanks for your support.
First, I don't want to speak for Senator Dodd, but I think the world of Elizabeth Warren and would strongly support her appointment. She has a keen understanding of financial issues.
Second, Ron Johnson is the country club version of Sharon Angle and Rand Paul.
I grew up in Port Washington in the late 50's, Whitefish bay in the 60's (we knew B. Dorhn and W. Ayers) and Bay View on the south side of Milw. in the 70's.
I just have one quick question.
How can you stand Mitch McConnell?.
"Someday somebody related to some of these sufferers, these victims, these collaterally damaged souls, may try to kill you. And I have to tell you, I think you’ll have it coming." - Christopher Cooper
I'll say this - it is critical that we keep him in the minority! I've always enjoyed the fact that Supreme Court decision to uphold McCain-Feingold is entitled McConnell v. FEC.
I am really proud to call you my Senator. I really need to know, is the race really that close? I haven't seen any polls recently.
Also, I think your ads are pretty good. Even the negative ads don't come off as "negative."
Absolutely. This race is close and we expect it to stay close right up to the end.
Hi Senator Feingold. I know you and Paul Ryan share Janesville as a hometown and I recall that there are a lot of great local Democratic leaders from that congressional district, a district President Obama won. I can never understand why Wisconsin Democrats don't run a serious opponent to what is the arguably most dangerous Republican in the House. Can you help me understand that?
even if Ryan is half cocked...
I wanted to say hello, and to tell you how happy all of us Cheddarsphere bloggers are to be helping out today with the Cheddarbomb.
What I'd really like to know from you is --- what do you think are the 3 most important issues that you (and Wisconsin) will be facing in your next term, and what are you going to do about them?
Steve Hanson
Uppity Wisconsin
Steve, great to hear from you and thanks for all your support. The three most important issues? Jobs, jobs, jobs.
Senator Feingold,
Thanks for being here! What have you been doing in the Senate to help the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are facing foreclosure? What more can be done and how can we help you do it?
thanks for all your hard work and the integrity with which you go about that work!
--Nolan
Click here to donate.
http://www.actblue.com/page/russ
I just want to add, Senator, that you introduced me to Bon Iver via FeinTunes.
It doesnt' really compare with the great work you do protecting our civil liberties, but thanks ALSO for introducing me to this awesome Wisconsin band!
If you have any money to spare, please click here to donate.
http://www.actblue.com/page/russ
Any chance of repealing the Patriot Act and restoring the Bill of Rights any time soon?
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
...in the neighborhood of 59 more Sen Feingold's to get that done. Sadly.
For claiming they can't advance truly liberal legislation.
Please make your best case to our readers for supporting the Democrats in these midterms -- other than "they're not as awful as the other guys."
We need to keep supporting progressive Democrats not Wall Street Democrats. That's the way to advance a progressive agenda.
Hello, Senator Feingold and thank you so much for being able to make it today.
My question for you is on Wall Street reform. Like you, I felt the package that passed Congress this year did not go nearly far enough in restraining the power of the big banks. What do you think needs to be done next on financial reform and how can we build grassroots support for a more effective Wall Street reform package going forward? Thanks again! :-)
-Brad
The two most important things to do are resinstate the protective firewalls established by Glass-Steagall that separated Main Street banks and big Wall Street firms, and eliminating the threat posed by "too big to fail" institutions. But as we have seen, the pressure from Wall Street is enormous and we'll need all the help we can get to stand up against it.
Since those are your top 3, what are some innovative ideas you've seen in Wisconsin where government has played a role in creating jobs?
And would it be a stretch to say that some government programs have created more jobs than say, Pacur, which seems to have produced more jobs in China than Wisconsin?
--K. C.
First off, thanks for being a real progressive hero. I wish we had more electeds with your backbone.
Would be interested in hearing your thoughts on net neutrality and what you think will happen in the next year or two on that front.
Hey Russ! I'm a Wisconsin grad and a huge fan of yours. My friend Megan (also a Wisconsin and Craig High alum) were discussing how things are going in Janesville right now, and things are obviously more sour since GM left town. So what are your thoughts on the direction of your hometown? How can we bring Janesville up to speed again?
And for all that you do to advance progressive causes. It's been a pleasure to hear from you and we'll do what we can to rally support behind you in this tight race. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
Remember, readers, if you can spare a few bucks, please click here to donate to today's Cheddarbomb.
http://www.actblue.com/page/russ
Gotta go. Sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions but I really appreciate all your support. I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance progressive causes.
DOhhhhh!!!
Hello Mr. Feingold,
Being on the Senate Intelligence Committee as you are, and knowing you have privileged access to briefings on the latest CIA adventures and that you pay close attention to our military activities overseas, I wanted to know if you've read Washington Rules by Andrew Bacevich and/or if any of your fellow senators have read that book and what they think of Bacevich's thesis (that every President since the 50s has operated under the assumption that America must project its power abroad; the result of which is that the US has turned into an imperialist state that forces or coerces foreign countries who control strategic resources into doing our business, and that we have found ourselves now in a state of perpetual war (to sum it up quickly))?
It's great to see our elected officials jumping into the blogosphere.
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