Russ Feingold Says He Will Not Run in 2012

[Scuba]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128051908.html


..snip..



Democrat Russ Feingold has decided he will not be a candidate for political office next year, taking himself out of the running in 2012 for either U.S. senator or for governor in the event Democrats force a recall election against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

In an email going out to supporters early Friday morning, Feingold called it a difficult decision but said he wanted to devote his time to teaching full time at Marquette Law School, finishing the book he is writing on the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attacks and leading the political committee he founded, Progressives United.

"While I may seek elective office again someday, I have decided not to run for public office during 2012," Feingold said in the email.

Some Democrats were looking to Feingold as perhaps their leading candidate against Walker next year in the event of a successful recall drive. His announcement ends that scenario.


..end..

[Kennah]

1. It makes sense

He has to be thinking, "Things are fucked for a while, and there's nothing I can do to unfuck them right now."

[Owlet]

2. My thought exactly

He's made a wise decision.

[Demeter]

3. I hope that's what it is

I'd hate to think he was blackmailed or otherwise coerced or intimidated.

[Ed Suspicious]

5. zero chance.

[elocs]

11. Only somebody NOT from WI would say it was a wise decision.

He was our greatest hope for one or the other of those positions.

[Owlet]

19. Well, I'm not from Wisconsin

So I don't really have any say in the matter. I am curious. though: do you see any link between his announcement and the results of the recent recall effort? I'm not trying to be snarky or get into an argument here.

[DCKit]

4. Still, it's a damn shame. He's always been one of our best. nt

[PeaceNikki]

6. I was pretty sure he'd stick with Progressives United for a while more, too.

I'd really like to have him back representing me and our great state, but I think he can do some real good in that role, too.

Love ya, Russypoo!!! :loveya:

[Major Hogwash]

7. So, that's it? It's okay for Feingold to walk off into the sunset and say "no", but not run?

He obviously doesn't want to save the world!!

[PeaceNikki]

9. Russ is a fine public servant in the truest sense of the word.

He doesn't have to run for office to save the world.

[Major Hogwash]

17. Yeah, but people say here we can "force" Obama to do something, yet they don't want to push Russ.

Like it would ever, ever happen anyway.

[Kennah]

20. The guy is only 58 years old. Plenty of time left for him to run for Prez in 2016, if he so desires.

[undeterred]

8. Bummer.

He's our best chance of taking out Walker.

[Scuba]

10. Jon Erpenbach is a fine candidate. n/t

[elocs]

12. Sure, because you know him. Here in western WI it would be WHO???

Especially against Walker a well known and respected name would be a huge advantage.

[Scuba]

13. As a frequent spokesperson for the Fab 14 I hope Jon got beyond "who" status....

... but should not be surprised if he's not. I started another thread on the topic. Appreciate your suggestions there.

[undeterred]

14. I think he would be a great candidate.

But he wants to run for congress, not governor.

[Johnyawl]

15. Once again the left is betrayed by those who should be leading us.

But then what does he care? He'll have tenure, book royalties, and his Senate pension, and health care to go along with that. The destruction of Social Security and Medicare will have no personal effect on him, they'll merely be fodder for a new book where he wrings his hands and cries crocodile tears over the death of the New Deal.

The left has no political leadership worth a damn in this country. The right has been taken over by crazies, and we can't even get one real leftwing leader to slow down the rush over the cliff, much less change direction.

It does remind us what an epic historical force FDR was.

[Scuba]

16. That's kinda harsh. He didn't say he was going to quit working for Progressive causes.

[Johnyawl]

22. Harsh? I'll tell you what harsh is...

...harsh is no health care for your children; harsh is being permanently unemployed; harsh is working at walmart when you're 75 to make ends meet; harsh is the death of the American working middle class.

The republicans are pulling the plug on this country, and we're circling the drain. What we need is progressive leadership, and we need it NOW! It's all very well for Russ to retire "temporarily" to the sidelines, teach, write his book(s), form another left wing support organization to compete with DFA, MoveOn, NARAL, et al for our contributions, but who the fuck is going to run for office, and provide the leadership we need, and a rallying point for progressives?

Vice President Nixon lost a close, heartbreaking race for the presidency in 1960; he suffered a humiliating defeat in the California Governor's race in 1962, and embarrassed himself with a pathetic concession speech. He was elected president 6 years later. Were is that kind of tenacious, never-say-die progressive? There's an old saying,"When the going gets tough, the tough get going". With progressive politicians it's "When the going gets tough, retreat to academia"

Fuck Feingold, and every other Democratic politician that retreats from their principles, or the fight for our survival.

[undeterred]

23. Well he is a human being who has given most of his life to fighting for us.

He deserves to take a break for himself. He's not a machine. If you don't recognize that then maybe you've lost sight of what it is we're fighting for.

[Johnyawl]

24. Oh, by all means, Russ take a well deserved break...

...it's not like there's anything IMPORTANT going on right now, it's not like our very democracy, and everything the Democrats have fought for over the past 70 years are in any danger, or anything. :sarcasm:

The Democrats had a chance in 2008 to turn back the conservative tide pushing this country to extinction. The Democratic leadership, Obama/Reid/Pelosi, pissed that chance away. Now in Wisconsin, an effort that has started at the grass roots (and already spread to Ohio) has given the Democrats a second chance to bring about significant change in the political dialog, a chance to drag the political conversation leftward, and what does the best known progressive LEADER in Wisconsin do? He choses to sit on the sidelines, and be a cheerleader.

It's Russ who's lost sight of what's at stake. Or, quite possibly, like Obama, the stakes aren't quite as high for him, as they are for us.

[undeterred]

25. Well then, why don't you run instead, since you get it and he doesn't?

:shrug:

[Johnyawl]

27. I don't live in Wisconsin. I don't have name recognition. I have no fundraising machine.

How difficult is that to understand??!! Russ has spent a lifetime becoming a leader in the progressive movement, only to abandon it when it really needs him.

[ladyVet]

26. speak to truth, brother

This country is sinking into a cess pool, and he just walks away. Well, good for him. When he decides to get back into politics, you know, when it's to his advantage, well, he can kiss my support goodbye.

Fucking "progressives".

[undeterred]

28. selfish, immature attitude you've got

[UTUSN]

18. Not available when we most need a voice like his. Will have to make do and look elsewhere. n/t

[UTUSN]

21. Update: When HE needs me/my-vote/whatever, he will need to look ELSEWHERE. n/t