Does Dean support Fiengold?

[garybeck]

just in from Dean...

Dear XXX,

Russ Fiengold is a traitor.

That's what Republicans want you to think.

They are so scared of having a legitimate debate about Iraq or national security that they have only one reaction to news of their failures or calls for accountability.

On Monday, Democratic Senator Russ Feingold introduced legislation to censure the President for breaking the law by creating a secret domestic spying program. Agree or disagree with his proposal, as a Senator -- and as an American -- he has the right to speak his mind and express his views without Republican Senators questioning his patriotism.

But that's exactly what happened. This week Republican Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado, in an interview with Fox News radio, said in response to Feingold's action that he has "time and time again with the terrorists".

Send a message to Senator Allard: shame on him for questioning the patriotism of another Senator. Sign this petition and it will be delivered to Allard:

http://www.democrats.org/stopattackingruss

Agree or disagree with Russ Feingold's censure resolution, it is completely out of bounds to suggest that anyone demanding accountability is siding with terrorists. It is simply un-American to question the patriotism and loyalty of a Senator who wants the Congress to live up to its responsibility.

We've heard this cowardly nonsense from Republican leaders before. They attacked decorated Veteran and Democratic Rep. Jack Murtha for getting real on Iraq. They attacked Democratic Leader Harry Reid for shutting down the Senate to demand answers about manipulated pre-war intelligence.

They have ended the careers of generals who questioned Bush Administration talking points, and they even attack their own when respectable Republicans speak out on the disaster this administration has created in Iraq and its failure to close the gaps in our security here at home.

And time and again, the Republican controlled congress has consistently failed to conduct real oversight of the Administration, choosing instead to protect the Administration.

But polls show that nearly 70% of Americans reject this president and the Republican Congress that has failed to hold him accountable. And together we will hold Republicans accountable at the ballot box this year.

That's why the Democratic Party is putting the infrastructure on the ground now to fight in all 50 states. People everywhere are saying "enough is enough" -- and we will be ready to organize and fight everywhere with your help.

Please contribute whatever you can to make it happen:

http://www.democrats.org/accountability

The sick behavior of desperate Republicans will only stop when we fight back, and 2006 is the time to do it.

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

[wtmusic]

1. Privately, I'm sure he does

IMO a public statement is not a good move.

[Frustratedlady]

2. I just got that, too, and replied....

Russ Feingold Has Backbone...How About The Rest of YOU?

Dear Sir:

I am among the many who are frustrated and angry that the Democratic Senators/Party have not come out to support Feingold. Don't make fun of the Republicans for what they are calling us and then use it as an excuse to ask for more money for the Democratic Party....get out there and back Senator Feingold like the Democratic Party knows what it is doing!!

I can't donate much, but I donate what I can. I WILL NOT donate any more to the Democratic Party until I see the leaders standing up for what is right--NOT see them hiding behind skirts until they see how the wind is blowing to make certain nothing will harm their political future. NO ACTION is what is going to hurt your political future and the future of the Democratic Party....AND the future of the United States of America!

Now, MOVE!

-signed-

Dammit! Think I'll get kicked out? x(

[NYCGirl]

3. Considering that the DNC does not give money to senators,

I don't think you'll get kicked out.

[madfloridian]

13. DNC has no control over congress. Only way Dean can speak out.

So you blame him for asking us to support Feingold. I am still trying to figure that out.

[Frustratedlady]

16. No, I'm So Frustrated,

I'm yelling at someone I think might yell back at this administration.

Everyone is acting like standing up against these people is not their job. We peons' hands are tied, because we have no power on our own and no one is appears to be acting as a group in our behalf, except for Feingold and he's standing out there alone like a naked jaybird.

Are you satisfied with how our people are working on this issue? Will we ever know if any of us were included in the pool that was being spied upon? Will this administration ever be made to pay for their actions?

Dr. Dean knows what yelling is and I think he understands why I am yelling. He can yell back at me if he wants. I'm beyond caring.

[LSK]

17. write Senators, not the DNC

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[LSK]

4. Dean has repeatedly said that he does not interfere with Senate business

Dean has no power over Senators and does not meddle with Senate business. His job is to build up the party get the infrastructure in place to win elections.

Yes I know the Senate is making his job harder. But I dont know if he can exert much influence on them.

[marlakay]

5. All of us should write the dnc

I wrote them and told them I was very very close to stopping my monthly bond money. I am ashamed to be a democrat with the cowardly way most of them are behaving these days.

I could somehow understand if Bush was still high flying like a few years ago, but with the low polls and all of the shit storm hitting the repubs, they have NO reason to cower and yet they do...

I think Greenspan is right, it is time for a third party...and believe me I have been a dem all my life and I am almost 50.

[LSK]

14. why? you dont want Congress in 06????

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

15. So because Dean asked us to support Feingold...you want a 3rd party.

Makes no sense.

[Trevelyan]

6. Done! Thank you for letting us know about this counterpunch to repuke

swiftboating. They even had the nerve to investigate whether Congressman Murtha deserved his purple hearts for his service in Vietnam!!!

Americans are catching on to the Rovian tactics and it is not working. We do need to fight back hard each time they try it unlike Kerry. Band of Brothers has stated that those fighting now in Iraq and Afghanistan should not have to worry if the Republicans will say they did not deserve their medals, small enough recompense for their courage and risking their lives, when they come back home and that Band of Brothers will hit back hard when they try this tactic against veterans.

Most repukes did not serve in the military and their nerve is really something!!!

[fujiyama]

7. Dean doesn't have a say on this

I doubt he opposes what Feingold is doing.

[ChiciB1]

8. Here's A Link That Might Be Useful When You Send A Message

to Senator Allard. http://surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateWireTap0602270b

It's a break down state by state of a survey taken and how each states reported.

You could preface comments by saying that while you realize that politicians pay no attention to polls, that perhaps this is one he should check out.

I just wrote him and let him know!

[Trevelyan]

12. ChiciB1 - Wanted to participate but your Link doesn't work

:-(

[Trevelyan]

9. Russ' LISTENING SESSIONS are really interesting. His latest transcripts:

http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/content/367

"Do you believe that we can hold this administration accountable without winning a majority in either house of Congress?"

Russ_Feingold
"Almost certainly not."

howardpark_from_DC
"Russ, over 70 Veterans are running for Congress as Democrats this year, many in Districts where Democrats have not even contested in recent memory. Do you think the party establishment should target just a few swing races or do we need to challenge the GOP almost everywhere?"

Russ_Feingold
"Howard – Apart for the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Paul Hackett’s getting out of the Senate race in OH, which I regret, I am extremely excited about the many veteran candidates. I met a lot of them recently at a reception here in Washington and the PPF contributed recently to VETSPAC which is helping them. Although I certainly understand the value of targeting certain races, it is too early to start writing off some of these excellent veteran candidates who may come on strong later in the year, even in extremely red states...."

Transcript from our first national Online Listening Session
Russ_Feingold
Welcome and thank you for participating in my first ever national online listening session. I have held over 950 listening sessions in Wisconsin, and also held 4 listening sessions in other states over the last year. These town hall type meetings are one of the favorite parts of my job because they give me the ability to hear first hand about the issues people are concerned about. I’m excited that so many people are here today, so lets get started so I can answer as many questions as time allows. Please feel free to ask a question, say what’s on your mind, or just feel free to read what others are saying....

[madfloridian]

10. Wow. I see this thread is already calling for 3rd party...several posts.

because Dean calls for us to support Feingold.

The utter magnitude of that just escapes me for the moment.

[madfloridian]

11. Read between lines. Why is he calling on us to support Feingold?

Think about it.

[mdmc]

18. support!