Some of the same folks who are criticizing Senator Feingold because he will not support the current

[Atticus]

financial reform bill seemed to have nothing but understanding for the several Blue Dogs who opposed health care.

I wonder how they rationalize that.

[saracat]

1. One wonders. But they are the same ones who give Obama all the credit when something good passes

See: Lily Ledbetter and blame Congress whenever something bad happens See :Public Option! They dod not seem to have a real understanding of how government works and what the job of the executive branch really is. Nor do they understand how an effective President see:FDR See :LBJ (domestic policy) governs!

[laughingliberal]

6. +1 nt

[sandnsea]

2. Feingold voted for Condoleeza Rice

Because he said he believed a President should have who they want in office. He voted for cloture on many, many votes because he said he respected the functioning of the Senate.

But he can't vote for a Democratic President??

Total bullshit. The Blue Dogs who voted against the health care bill voted the same way when Bush was President. Well, except you would notice that they supported the President to get bills to the floor, even if they voted against the bill in the end.

[OhioBlue]

4. exactly. he could have voted for cloture and against the bill n/t

[Oregone]

3. Simply put, I think those critics fear those on the left with principles and a backbone

Thats a dangerous combination for whatever their agenda may be.

[DFLforever]

5. I think he did it to get re-elected.

Perhaps to pick up some of the independent, libertarian vote in WI. He's having a very tough time this election. If he had voted for cloture he wouldn't have gotten the attention he needed back home for his 'principled' stance.

The President seems to have been fine with it and leaned on Ben Nelson instead to get the bill passed.

[SidDithers]

7. Agreed...

He's a politician up for re-election. If his vote had been critical to the passage of the legislation, he would have supported it and gotten a concession on something else, or picked up some weighty support for some other issue close to his heart. Feingold is no fool. He wouldn't have let it be his vote that killed the legislation.

Sid

[rucky]

8. Then couldn't the same be said for the reverse?

People who support Feingold and criticize the Blue Dogs?

The consistent view would be that NO Democrat in the Senate should vote for cloture. Let the majority rule.