The "Feingold Standard": votes NO on extending the Patriot Act

[jsamuel]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/2/23247/74798

Unlike other Dems who either support the Patriot Act or are afraid to look weak on national security, Feingold sets the "Feingold Standard" on sticking up for the American people's liberties.

I have only recently become aware of just how strong Senator Russ Feingold is. For those of you who don't know him too well yet, let me just say a few things that have caught my eye as a liberal looking for leadership in the Democratic Party.

Senator Feingold of Wisconsin was first elected to the Senate in 1992. He voted AGAINST the Patriot Act in 2002. That sounds like a good Democrat, however, it is more than just that. Right after 9/11 and during Bush's highest ratings, Feingold was the ONLY Senator to vote that way as the Patriot Act passed 99-1 in the Senate.

Many Democrats, such as Tom Daschle were very concerned about looking weak on national security and were very supportive of Bush during this time. They thought that someone voting the way Feingold voted meant certain election defeat in 2004.

Well, Feingold was re-elected in 2004 and Daschle lost a close battle with his Republican challenger. I remind you that while Daschle was in a red state, Wisconsin isn't exactly the liberal capital of the world either.

However, it is important to keep in mind that one great vote does not a leader make.

Fast forward to late 2005. The Patriot Act is up for reauthorization. It looks as though it will pass with a strong majority. Feingold announces that he intends to fight this reauthorization. Soon, the Democrats pull together and filibuster the Patriot Act. Almost as if in disbelief, Harry Reid stated that day, "We killed the Patriot Act!"

Feingold also took a front seat roll in the Alito confirmation hearings. He managed to get Alito to say that the reason he said Roe vs Wade should be overturned was because he was appointed by Regan. That was the one clear sign of how Alito would rule in future Bush and executive powers cases. Alito later voted for a filibuster and voted against confirming Alito.

Now, as Feingold posted himself today, here at DailyKos, he is fully engrossed into finding out how the President has gone back to a "Pre-1776 mindset" with illegal wiretaps. Again, he is at the forefront of protecting our liberties.

Then, just tonight, he even voted AGAINST extending parts of the Patriot Act in defense of our liberties. He is building a consistent record as a leader in our party.

As of now and for now, he is my choice for President in 2008. If he keeps this up, it will stay that way.

Thank you Senator Feingold!

[undeterred]

1. We love him here in Wisconsin

and it was cool to see lawn signs that were Bush and Feingold during the last presidential election, i.e., even Republicans who voted for Bush chose to re-elect Feingold to the Senate in 2004. Its amazing how people respect backbone and character. He's also known as a fiscal conservative, which helps.

[Charlie Brown]

2. Sadly, he also voted for Roberts

The two votes cancel each other out in my tally.

[UrbScotty]

4. He's not perfect

Hey, I know of a couple of other votes I wish he'd cast differently.

But who is perfect? Carl Levin voted for Roberts and the Unpatriot Act, while Kerry and Edwards voted for the IWR and the Unpatriot Act. I'm still fans of theirs.

[Mass]

5. You're right. nobody is perfect.

[mikelewis]

6. Roberts is not as bad as all that...

Yes he is an uptight tidy whitey Bush crony but he's also well qualified and has shown quite a bit of impartiality in his cases. While he is not an ideal Candidate, he's also not a complete wack-job. I would have voted against him, to be sure but I wouldn't begrudge any Senator their vote for Roberts as long as they truly believed he was going to do the job honorably. If Russ thought that, it's good enough for me. I don't have to agree with him, I'm just not going to cancel anything out because of it. Obviously, the man votes his conscience.

[Mass]

7. I agree with you, but it does not go only for this vote and this senator

[Mass]

3. As far as I understand. this is a 5 weeks reauthorization

In addition, Feingold has stated again and again that he would authorize the Patriot Act if the modification that were voted by the Senate are part of the law.

While it is true that his vote is important, it is also very symbolic at this point. What is really important that he can get his party together to fight the vote that will happen in 5 weeks. I will really give him props at this time.

In addition, it is a misconception that the Patriot Act is totally for reauthorization. Only the Sunset Provisions are.

[radio4progressives]

8. Excellent Post... and there's more reasons to keep looking at Feingold for

Leadership.

first of all, he has the best campaign funding scruples in today's Senate that I'm aware of bar none.

He accepts $60 donations for 90% of his campaign funding.

Plus he actually puts a CAP on his fund raising. I understand he's been running his campaign this way since his first run for Senate in 1992. Ever since 1992, i understand he's promised x amount of TownHall meetings in his state, and he actually lives up to that, holding Town Hall meetings everywhere in his state.

Not only did he vote against the Patriot Act the first time, he also voted against the Iraq War.

Also, on the Alito Confirmation committee hearings, he was the BEST interrogator on both Roberts and Alito. With Alito, he really got into the meat of the so called Unitarian Theory for Executive Authority.

Made his views quite clear on these matters, and spanked both Hatch and Lindsey Graham hard on the ass for their outrageous, and hypocritical remarks regarding the hearing process.

There's more, but i really like how he speaks with crystal clarity, and responds to questions in a very direct, matter of fact, plain speaking manner. Very strong on principles.

I like him a lot. and he's not too shabby to look at either, ;)

[wisteria]

9. I fail to see the big deal here. He didn't vote for a temprary extension.

So what. He didn't vote for the original act either. Why would he vote for he extension?
Sorry, I am not bashing Feingold, just pointing out this was no major vote or sign of protest.

[shraby]

10. It wasn't a vote of protest. It is what Feingold is.

He is a straightforward, tell it like it is, principled person. He thinks there are serious civil rights problems with the Patriot Act and until those problems are fixed he will continue to vote against it. He does nothing to pander to anyone and that is his appeal.

[Mass]

11. So why did he authorize the reauthorization in December but not in January

There is no difference between the two. Both were for 5 weeks.

And was Paul Wellstone a panderer, when he voted for the Patriot Act in 2002.

[jsamuel]

13. probably part of the deal to get other Dems to filibuster it in the first

place

[Mass]

15. Fine

He is my second favorite of all Democrats in the Senate. Good man and I like most of his votes.

[wisteria]

12. I wasn't asking for an opinion on Feingold. Good for him, he is a

man of principle and he votes his principles. My point was, there was no reason for him to change his mind an vote yes. I think you expected him to vote this way- didn't you? So what is the big deal? Now, if he would have said no to closing debate and the extension, that would have been news.

[jsamuel]

14. The big deal is that he DIDN'T change or "flip-flop"

The big deal is that he is consistent. That was the point.