BREAKING: Feingold Excoriates Fellow Dems for Failing to 'Play Hardball' in Ending Iraq War

[BradBlog]

BREAKING: Feingold Excoriates Fellow Democrats for Failing to 'Play Hardball' in Ending Iraq War
During Conference Call with Bloggers, the Wisconsin Senator Highly Critical of Colleagues, 'Washinton Insiders' and Even John Edwards for 'Playing it Safe on This One'
Says 'Dems Trying to Have it Both Ways' While 'Americans are Dying Unnecessarily'...

Blogged by Brad Friedman from Phoenix, AZ...

In a conference call with several bloggers moments ago, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) had a number of harsh words concerning today's procedural bickering and fillibustering by Republicans in the Senate which stifled both votes on his own resolution to end the Iraq War as well as allowing amendments to several non-binding resolutions which also failed to come to the floor for a full vote.

Feingold was highly critical not just of the Republicans, but even moreso of his own Democratic caucus colleagues, "Washington insider consultants" and even former Senatorial colleague turned Presidential Candidate, John Edwards for failing to take a tough stand to end the war.

In a passionate thirty minute call, Feingold stressed, "This is an important moment to see if we're gonna try and end this war. Frankly, I'm disappointed that Democrats are playing it safe on this one."

"We need to play hardball on this. We're gonna have to take the lead on this issue and we're gonna need to tie this place up as long as it takes," he said in describing what he sees as a fear and timidity so far by his colleagues who are now in the majority in the Senate...

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4123

---
Brad Friedman
THE BRAD BLOG - The uprising continues...
http://www.BradBlog.com
VELVET REVOLUTION - The revolution begins...
http://www.VelvetRevolution.us

[zonkers]

1. President Feingold?

[oldtimecanuk]

2. This man has to take control of the Democratic Senate...

Get rid of that old POS and instill someone who is going to do the jog. I'm so tired of the ass kissing of this person, and I know the above man is as well...... Todays joke show was proff of that, please, please, please lets dispense with the BS and get someone in there that can get the job done.... ugh

ww

[montanacowboy]

3. Harry Reid has to go

WE NEED RUSS AS MAJORITY LEADER - AND IT HAS TO HAPPEN SOON. WE ARE WASTING TIME AND LOOKING LIKE FOOLS - SUCH A SHAMEFUL PERFORMANCE TODAY

THAT UGLY POS FROM KENTUCKY MAKES ME PHYSICALLY ILL, BUT HE SURE MADE THE DEMS LOOK LIKE A CARNIVAL SIDE SHOW

GORE/FEINGOLD

[oldtimecanuk]

5. I do love this guy, but what the hell was that with Byrd?

Shit, he spent what, an hour talking about mines in Virginia..... ugh? lol Now I am not saying that what is going on in the Mine situation does'nt deserve attention, but shit, we have a whole lot of more important things to discuss at this juncture; ie: Iraq war and Escalation of troups, proposed Budget, Impeachment..... Most of what he was saying I could'nt understand due to his slur... (And that again is with all due respect) We need to concentrate on what is most important in keeping this country a Union under a constitution...... Things like the mine issues etc, can come latter...

ww

[gulfcoastliberal]

9. Seconded! Reid must go - Feingold is the true leader, he walks the talk.

Reid should make way for the real leaders. The ones who aren't "DLC approved".

[Tom Joad]

12. Thirded (?) though i will make no comments about Reid's looks.

Its just like, hey, an opposition party has to act like an opposition party.

[youngdem]

11. Amen.

He makes wet noodles look like Mark Walburg in Boogie Nights.

[Megahurtz]

55. Reid needs to go.

He has no backbone whatsoever.

[madrchsod]

4. even though have durbin and obama as senators

i`d move a 60 miles north just to vote for him. i wish the hell he would have ran for president.

[goforit]

6. Well he's right! Washington DC sucks! Is our Gov't BROKEN?

[Duer 157099]

7. I'm gonna be really nitpicky

Why the use (or transcription of) the word as "gonna" instead of "going to"?

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Cuzeeza

cheeseheaden dey talk like dat, hey?

[sybylla]

42. True, Jackpine, but he's a Rhodes Scholar cheesehead

Can't say I've ever heard him say "gonna" but my guess is Brad was trying to make it sound more like a conversation than speechifiying.

Besides, in cheesehead land "goin' ta" is more proper.

[truthisfreedom]

8. Presidential material.

Teller of the truth. A breath of fresh air.

[Tom Joad]

13. The "non-binding" measure was not just that, but also an re-endorsement of the war.

http://www.counterpunch.org/feingold02032007.html

fool me once, shame on you.
fool me twice....

[KoKo]

22. After reading that....I think the Senate shouldn't pass any "Resolutions" but move onto De-funding

the war by using what's lef to bring the troops home. Declare Victory...Saddam is Gone..Govt. is Elected, no WMD found and what the hell else are we still there for? :eyes:

[SaveElmer]

24. And which 19 Republican Senators do you suppose will vote for that?

We can't get 19 on a non-binding resolution...

[Tom Joad]

47. We need to get congress on record to oppose the war, a resolution supporting current troop levels is

crazy. Would you vote to say, "stay the course, no increase, but no decrease in troops"?

[SaveElmer]

48. A vote on the resolution...

Currently supported by a majority of US Senators is a good first step...

[Randy Ranger]

58. Russ has done his part the ball is now in our court.

We need to be in the streets protesting this war every day. 
No stopping until we have the 19 repub votes we need.  Put
there feet to the fire and hold them there.  Does anyone
remember the protests of the 60's and 70's. Thats what it took
then and thats what it will take now.

[fNord]

49. Halliburton needs to protect it's investment.....

what did you think this was really about any way? WMD's? terror? nope, just plain old fashion GREED.:puke:

[LibDemAlways]

14. "Fear and timidity" He's absolutely right. They are in

the majority and can't even get a non-binding resoluton discussed? Pitiful.

[bvar22]

15. Name names, Sen. Feingold....Call them out!

Sen Feingold did mention Harry Reid and John Edwards as two Dems who "want their cake and to eat it too since they voted for the war"!

Cowards, hucksters, and opportunists will find some spine when their names start appearing in print and the E-Media.

[Vidar]

16. Thank you, Russ.

[undeterred]

17. Feingold has balls

Why don't the rest of them?

[eagler]

18. Dems better enjoy themselves in office while they can

because it will shortlived if keep acting like this

[SaveElmer]

19. Useless criticism..

How about a plan Russ, for getting the 19 Republican Senators you are going to need to get this passed...

If your only solution is to "tie this place up" then you are not serious about getting it done, because the Republicans would love nothing better for Democrats to tie up the Senate on this...and then go home in 18 months and campaign against a do nothing Senate...

[Raydawg1234]

32. how is it useless, do you think that his fellow democrats can do no wrong?

[SaveElmer]

39. Nope...

And of course I never said that...but criticism from the sidelines, with no workable plan to pass what he says he wants...is meaningless...when he comes up with a workable plan for obtaining the necessary Republican support to pass a binding resolution...or to defund the war...I will listen...until then it is just unwarranted criticism of fellow Democrats...an MO typical for him

[aquart]

20. Bless Feingold. He takes the outside position and keeps at it.

[Dinger]

21. That's My Senator, and I LOVE Him!

Russ, keep it up! This BS won't last forever. I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

[mzmolly]

23. He's absolutely correct. If Dems can't stand up to "Bush" how can we fight "terror."

That's not my personal mantra regarding this, but you can bet that Democrats being seen as "weak" in general, will beg this question among some voters.

[Lil Red]

36. Sorry to go off topic, but...

where did you get that Molly Ivans gif? I am in mourning for her and would like to use it on all my forums.

[TroglodyteScholar]

43. Check this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=126287&mesg_id=126287

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

25. I concur.

One hundred percent.

[pstans]

26. Thanks Russ!

Russ is standing up for US!
"It's time to stand up - not to cheer, but to fight back." - Russ Feingold

[Larkspur]

27. Will Lieberman & the Rightwing pundits call Russ "angry" and "partisan"?

I agree with Feingold, but it's interesting that Lieberman and the Rightwing pundits don't slam Russ they way they did Howard Dean.

[annm4peace]

29. TAKE TO THE STREETS !!!!! BANG YUR POTS AND PANS

Stop your bitch'n and take to the streets.. Call in sick and go to your Reps local office and stay there till they close. Stay there till they agree to sign on to a "binding-resolution"

Grab three or four others and stand out side Your reps office with a large poster board sign with your Reps name and phone #. and make another sign that says "NO MORE FUNDING!!!"".

[bdamomma]

38. geez, these jerks just don't get it, we are totally being ignored

and they are totally detached from us, Senator Feingold is expressing his disgust, and we should be expressing ours, by not letting these thugs ignore us.

Are we ready for a fight??? I am, I'm tired of being treated like shit.

[USA_1]

28. DU Members Didn't Help ...

... by refusing to write to their Senators and by failing to demand that they strongly endorse the resolution.

On another thread I tried to get you to do so but, as usual, your apathy helps the Republicans along with Bush and his war.

So what are you going to do in the 2007 and 2008 elections -- concede the White House and Congress to the Pukes?

WHY SO MUCH GODDAMN APATHY???

[Demit]

33. Ratchet it back on the accusations, please.

Who are you to claim to know what people do or don't do? I think you have a hell of a nerve.

[Lil Red]

35. I'm sorry, but how do you know that they didn't?

I, for one, did. I wrote them again yesterday to take them to task for refusing to allow a debate on the bill.

Unfortunately, both Senators from Texas are repugs. Still, I will follow through by calling them today, and as many days as it takes to get them to understand that WE THE PEOPLE have had it with our insubordinate representatives.

So called progressives that tend to attack other progressives make me wonder which side they are really on...

[Sherman A1]

53. I am impressed

with your ability to know exactly what ever member of the DU did or did not do. Does this special gift extend to other areas... like knowing what many are thinking of your comment?

[rodeodance]

30. Lehrer News Hr. was reporting this Res. may have to wait 1-3 WEEKS IF

some sort of compromise is not reached with the repugs. Susposdedly Harry Reid had said that.

[faithnotgreed]

31. i wish

[cassiepriam]

34. Why no PROFILES IN COURAGE??? Has Rove scared everyone?

Everyone playing politics? Time for statesmen. Time for courage.

[gasperc]

37. read it ...Loved it!!!

sweet

[w4rma]

40. Very good. (nt)

[HuffleClaw]

41. well, its about time someone did

[schmuls]

44. Thank you my dear home Senator for being a patriot when others

are ass kissers.

[Justitia]

45. Thank you Sen Feingold! And a hearty thank you to the voters of WI. -eom

[redqueen]

46. Thank you Senator Feingold!

Those cowardly / complicit Dems might want to think about the next primary they'll face challengers in if they don't get their act together.

[Laurab]

50. Thank you, Russ

for saying what I think. KnR

[Mrspeeker]

51. And thank You brad

My favorite blog :)

[Casablanca]

52. Russ just needs to relax, take his soma, and go with the flow. :)

Passion and principles are so embarrassingly retropolitik.

[Megahurtz]

54. He's SO Right. n/t

[Time for change]

56. I would love to see Feingold drafted

He would make a great President.

[PassingFair]

57. OMFG, Feingold! I can't BREATH!

http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=94B1DF00-E0C3-F084-DB1D7A95BFCB3F77

Listen to the audio at Sirota blog!

The DLC can't FINESSE this anymore!

[gratefultobelib]

59. They still need 60 votes at the end of the day to get anything done. Right?

Also, I wish Feingold would be a bit bolder himself and name names. Who are these Washington insiders? Carville? BClinton?

[PassingFair]

60. D.L.C.

What part of "the previous democratic administration" are
you unfamiliar with?

[gratefultobelib]

61. I guess I'm a little clueless. I thought the previous administration people

were gone, as in bushco is in charge now. Is it that the Dem senators are still being "controlled" by the Clinton people? Yes, I know what DLC is and the low regard DU has for it. Until I came here I didn't know there was a difference between DNC and DLC. So, thinking out loud here, DLC is primarily the Clinton administration and this group is exerting pressure?

[PassingFair]

63. A bit simplistic, but close.

Check out Madfloridian's journal if you want a
wide range of info and quotes from the DLC gang.

Google Will Marshall (a PNAC signatory) and/or New Democrats, Enjoy!

[Contrite]

62. Do what Russ says!

Call your congressmen/women!

[fujiyama]

64. Republicans' use of the filibuster

prove him absolutely right.

The Dems didn't use it once when they were in the minority. Now republicans have on a NON BINDING resolution, which means they will on just about anything else.

It's also been seemingly impossible to keep Dems in line with regards to many votes - often times you have turncoats like Landreiu and Nelson (NE), that go the other way.

Though in the case of the Iraq war debate, I don't think any Dems switched over, unless you consider Lieberman a dem.