On Friday afternoon, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold held an online listening session. This wasn't just a Wisconsin thing. This was a national forum.
Why doesn't Feingold quit playing these games and formally announce his intention to run for president?
May we drop the pretense?
The listening session took place via Feingold's website, the Progressive Patriots Fund.
What's the Progressive Patriots Fund?
The Progressive Patriots Fund is dedicated to promoting a progressive reform agenda and supporting candidates across the country.
This organization enables us to be a part of a larger national effort to build the Democratic Party throughout America. We are able to travel across the country, listen to others, speak out on important issues and advance a progressive reform agenda.
The challenges far too many Americans face every day did not go away with the past election. I will continue to give voice to those who believe we must work to provide health care for all Americans, protect and create jobs, ensure fiscal responsibility, and fight terrorism while also protecting our freedoms.
In both so-called red and blue states, people’s voices need to be heard. That is why we intend to help continue a dialogue about how we move forward as a country united by the values we share and the challenges we face together.
-Senator Russ Feingold
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund
Blah, blah, blah.
Actually, the PPF is Feingold's recruiting center and staging ground for supporters of his presidential campaign.
It's interesting that Mr. Anti-Patriot Act Feingold chose to call his group the "Patriots Fund." That wasn't accidental.
Read the transcript of Feingold's online listening session.
It's worth reading all of it. It doesn't take very long. It was a rather short listening session.
The participants in the session all asked questions and Feingold answered them.
So if I understand this correctly, this is the way a listening session works:
Feingold "listens" to participants' questions, and then they "listen" to Feingold bloviate.
There wasn't an exchange of ideas. Feingold's listening session was an exercise in self-promotion. It was more like a campaign ad than an elected official getting an understanding of the people's experiences, thoughts, and concerns.
Only one question remotely challenged Feingold's "progressive" perspective.
Mike_from_Michigan asked:
Senator, will you vow to stop filibustering legislation/judicial nominees that represent the WILL OF THE PEOPLE and recognize that democracy, as practiced in the US sometimes means that your side LOSES elections? Or, do you favor the rule by a minority elite of liberals and activist judges instead of by and for the "people"? Yes or no?
Russ_Feingold responded:
No.
That's it. That's all. Just "no."
Some other highlights:
Dave_from_California: In lieu of the recent headlines in the newspaper, how does one balance the necessary need for covert tools to find terrorists with the desire to have a country that cherish its freedoms?
Russ_Feingold: I recognize and support the value of intelligence gathering including lawful surveillance. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I believe now more than I ever have that this Administration can do what it needs to do to protect the American people without violating our laws. There is no need to have the power to wiretap people who are doing absolutely nothing wrong.
___________________
Susan_from_California: What do you think are the 3 most important domestic issues in the upcoming 2006 Congressional races AND 2008 Presidential race?
Russ_Feingold: Health care, Energy independence and jobs.
___________________
Leah_From_Illinois: Do you support the Israeli military action against Hezbolla in Lebanon? How do you feel the current administration is handling the situation diplomatically? Is there anything you would do differently?
Russ_Feingold: I have suggested to the Administration that it immediately appoint a special envoy here as well - someone who has broad respect within the international community, like George Mitchell or Colin Powell or James Baker - whose sole job is to deal with this situation. Condoleeza Rice has so many tasks to deal with, from North Korea to Iran, to Iraq, to Somalia, to the Middle East, there simply isn't enough time for one person to give the situation in Lebanon adequate attention. Finally, people have to understand that the instability in this region is in part a direct byproduct of our Iraq policy. The negative actors in the region know it.
__________________
Randy_from_Oregon: First, Senator Feingold, thanks for your hard work and this forum. How do we, as progressive Americans who love our country, fight the fact that the media, really scared neocons, and Republicans desperate to keep their jobs paint us as "anti-war extremists" or "pre-9/11 liberals"? I ask this as a proud American who supported going into Afghanistan but can't stomach how we got into Iraq and what we have done there. Thanks!
Russ_Feingold: I couldn't agree with you more and want you to know if you straightforwardly say what you just said and point out what a mistake the Iraq war was in the larger fight against those terrorists who attacked us on 9/11, you will prevail. The phony arguments for going into the Iraq war are now being matched by the phony arguments to stay in Iraq and the public realizes the Administration is trying to deceive them again.
__________________
Dave_from_California: How do you defend yourself against attacks made by the Bush administration that getting out of Iraq or not supporting the Patriot Act is giving support to the terrorists?
Russ_Feingold: It is painfully obvious this Administration has bungled the fight against terrorism by becoming obsessed with Iraq and threatening the freedoms of law abiding Americans. Let's get back to the task at hand.
__________________
Remarkably, this was the last question of the session:
Eric_from_Colorado: To the moderator: Will a transcript of this session be available later?
Russ_Feingold: Yes a transcript will be available on our website shortly.
Gee, do you think that was a plant?
Then, Feingold ended with this:
Russ_Feingold: Unfortunately that will have to the final question for today's listening session. I've really enjoyed answering your questions and listening to your concerns and wish my schedule allowed more time to continue this dialogue. Thank all of you again for sharing in the one of what I hope will be many online Listening Sessions. I'll be appearing on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on ABC this Sunday, and I hope you'll be able to tune in. Thanks again for being a part of our second national online listening session.
Feingold ends his campaign commercial posing as a listening session with another commercial, reminding everyone to watch his next TV appearance.
This is all about Russ.
I knew he was lost in his liberalism. I didn't realize that he is also drowning in narcissism.
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