Russ Feingold won't vote for John McCain, but he willingly sings his praises

As part of burnishing the "maverick" image he holds near and dear, John McCain frequently boasts of his credentials as a bipartisan problem-solver.

In the most recent example, as chronicled by The Times' Seema Mehta, he touted to a crowd in Pennsylvania his "record of reaching across the [Senate] aisle and working with [his] friends, whether it be Joe Lieberman [the erstwhile Democrat from Connecticut, now one of McCain's most vocal backers] or Ted Kennedy [the liberal lion from Massachusetts]."

What struck us was the omission -- not only in this instance, but in others -- of the Democrat with whom McCain forever will be associated: Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

In an epic legislative struggle, the two overcame years of roadblocks to finally pass, in the early part of this decade, the sweeping reform of campaign finance law that is commonly referred to as the McCain-Feingold bill.

But especially on the right, their reform measure remains a bone of contention. So as McCain seeks to consolidate the support of conservatives leery of him, it's not surprising that Feingold's name is not one he would drop.

Feingold, for his part, is a strong Barack Obama supporter -- but one with a good feeling about his old legislative ally.

In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that gained attention, he did not hesitate to veer from his party's line on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, scoffing at the contention that a McCain White House would simply represent a third term of the Bush administration.

Said Feingold: "The notion that somehow [McCain] is going to get in there and be some kind of ideological Newt Gingrich right-winger is a joke. There's no way that he would do that."

Feingold differs with McCain on an array of issues, most obviously the Iraq war. But he praised McCain as someone who "calls 'em as he sees 'em, and as president would call 'em as he sees 'em, and would make people mad all over the place because it wouldn't fit anybody's playbook. He would be very original."

As the Journal Sentinel's Craig Gilbert aptly put it in his story, "Those are not exactly Democratic talking points."

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[John Quimby]

Russ Feingold is an American first and a party man second.
Don't we all wish there were more like him?

[mbrane]

Just because McCain fought (not as a fighter pilot, though) the Vietnam war, does not mean he should support all wars or invite wars. It is straining our military and economy and the world is a more unsafe place because of the stupid war in Iraq. McCain supported that war based on fictitious intelligence and is still supporting. Now, he wants the USA to get involved in Georgia-Russia war for no reason. Agreed Russia was aggressive, but what was Georgia thinking? Why did they wake up the lion. We pity what is happening to Georgians, but was their leadership out of mind? Why should the USA get involved with this unnecessary conflict? War monger McCain would involve our country and that means he is unfit for command. Power requires responsible behaviors - not emotional stupidity to invite conflict with Russia. We need Russia to deal with so many more pressing issues such as energy, securing nuclear weapon, Iran and environment.

McCain said, "Today, we all are Georgians". Sorry, after spending a trillion dollars and losing life of thousand of brave young soldiers for no reasons in Iraq war, we are not idiots any more. Our would-be-leader can not be idiot like that of Georgians. We are NOT Georgians. Only Georgia we belong to (or we can associate with) is the great state of Georgia.

[iam]

The Democratic party is NOT a political party, they are a issues advocacy group. The republicans are a poitical party. Democrats bring a knife to a gunfight and I'm sick of it.

[Shana McCarthy]

Feingold sounds like the only Democrat who has a brain.

[Karen Wright]

I agree with mbrane. McCain is too much a man who is ready to go to war. The thing is, it is no longer his life on the line, but many, many other lives. Did he think a knee jerk reaction to say, "We are now all Georgians" was going to make us all rise us like we did after 9/11? He seems to be a war monger. It appears that his attitude toward Russia stains diplomatic relations with them before he would get started. Also, who is he to "take charge" and a congressional representative committee to Georgia? He is not President and play acting isn't going to make it so. He made fun of Obama when he went to Germany--what was so much worse.
KS Wright

[Terry]

Look, this election is once again a lessor of two evils election. Barrack Obama is a marxist socialist and John McCain is a idiot. The democrat party has been hijacked by socialist and the republicans have lost there morals along with there conservative values. Both political parties and the politicians that represent these parties are dangerous to the american public. They are idiots and it's about time the U.S. citizens abandon these two political parties. If we don't, we will all be at the mercy of special interests and corporate america. Many believe this country is already being run by special interest. This may or may not be true but one thing is certain, if we continue to vote for these two political parties to represent us, nothing good will come out of Washington.

[anonymoose]

WAAAHHHHH! WAHHHHHH! I'm a moron who posts insipid political whining on the internet! WAAHHHHHHH!!!!

[dave]

what is this 'sweeping reform of campaign finance law,' the mccain-feingold act, the 'bipartisan campaign reform act' bcra of 2002?
one of the most corrupt, anticonstitutional and dangerous steps toward the tyranny of government ever proposed in america, seeking to overthrow freedom of speech guaranteed by the first amendment. under pretext of 'campaign reform,' and wanting to restrict private and lobbyist campaign financing in favor of more (big) government control, 'because average citizens are being deprived of their right of free speech when the megaphone is held by those with big money,' mccain chose to hand over that megaphone to those already in power, and the corporate media - as they are the ones that have access to practically unlimited resources. 'electioneering communications' restrictions imposed a speech code, and practically interfered with the freedom of speech of organized groups of citizens, as all corporations were treated equally, making no distinction e.g. between general motors and aclu.
a number of the original provisions were subsequently overturned as unconstitutional by the supreme court.
but although the two illegitimate candidates foisted on the people do not support the constitution, civil rights, and liberty, it is obvious that even without their efforts, the american republic is in peril, and the whole elections are a sham. only if the people demand small government, controlled by, and accountable to, the people and the constitution, as advocated by candidate for president, RON PAUL; and only if they vote their conscience, and not for the interests of corporations and cartels, and agendas that seek to strip them of their wealth, their rights and freedom; only if they assume their responsibility and reclaim their rights and freedom, they will be free.

[jefflz]

It is disheartening to see that an intelligent and accomplished senator like Russ Feingold fails to see that he must choose a side in this battle. This is not the time for good ol' boy politics. He is unwittingly becoming grist for the McCain propaganda mill. McCain is no maverick, no straight-talker.. he is just a pol who has brought in the junkyard dogs to do what he condemned in the past. McCain has sold out to the Bushites. Karl Rove’s minions, the champions of the Big Lie and Smear are now managing McCain to keep him on track and on message. He will be under their collective thumb from now on. He is willing to do what ever it takes to get elected. Fair enough, but lets call it like it is. McCain fans need to end their hypocrisy in labeling him as a maverick and seem him for the down and dirty campaigner that he is.