Herb Kohl, Russ Feingold, and 2012

As Russ Feingold's final days as a U.S. Senator tick away, there's speculation about what Feingold's idea of "Forward" means.

On November 2nd, when Wisconsin voters fired Feingold and elected Ron Johnson to represent them in the U.S. Senate, Feingold delivered a concession speech that made clear he wasn't going quietly. He announced he'd be back, but where?

Does Feingold still want to be president?

I don't think there's any doubt he wants to be president. But would he challenge Obama for the Democrat nomination in 2012?

Will Feingold consider becoming a perennial candidate, taking over the reins from the aging Ralph Nader?

Who knows what's in Feingold's head?

Some of his supporters aren't hesitating to share their thoughts, their hopes and dreams, about Feingold's future.

From Isthmus, The Daily Page:

Will Russ Feingold run for president? Despite being the proud owner of a "Russ Feingold for President" T-shirt that I found at Goodwill and was apparently manufactured by Dennis DeNure, I harbor no illusions of a presidential bid from Spinegold.

The more likely scenario that is generating chatter is a 2012 bid for Wisconsin's other Senate seat. Although current occupant Herb Kohl has given no indication that he plans to retire, it would be naive to believe the 75-year-old isn't at least considering it, especially in light of the Bucks' exciting future.

As early as November 3rd, the idea of Feingold trying to regain a seat in the U.S. Senate if Herb Kohl would step down was batted around.

The speech fueled speculation Feingold might run for president against Barack Obama or seek the seat of fellow Democrat Sen. Herb Kohl in 2012. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate pooh-poohed both scenarios.

Even though Tate "pooh-poohed" the suggestion, it didn't go away.

Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive, calls for Kohl to make way for Feingold's triumphant return to the U.S. Senate.

Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl should give it up.

The upstanding 75-year-old Milwaukeean has been a reliable, if unnoticeable, Senator for the last 22 years.

He’s done a lot for children and the elderly in the Senate, expanding child nutrition programs and school breakfasts, backing Medicare and pushing for better prescription drug coverage, as well increasing money for nursing home inspections.

But he is getting up there, and he needs to decide soon whether he’ll run for reelection in 2012. If he chooses not to, which I hope he’ll do, that would pave the way for Russ Feingold to return to the Senate.

Many progressives in Wisconsin—and across the country—mourn the loss of Feingold and want to get him back into public life as quickly as possible, believing that we need his courageous voice.

Some suggest that he should challenge Barack Obama in the primaries. But that seems more quixotic than running against him last time would have been, and this time it would be perceived by many as divisive. Plus, losing a Senate race is not exactly a trampoline for vaulting into the Presidential ring.

I’ve long thought that Feingold would make a great Supreme Court justice, and he might be the most progressive nominee Obama could get confirmed. But Obama even nominating him might be a long shot.

So a lot of progressives conclude that it’s better to let Feingold do what he does best: represent the state of Wisconsin in the Senate.

But for that to happen, Kohl would have to announce he’s not running for a fifth term.

Rothschild is particularly disturbed with Kohl for saying that he's looking forward to working with Ron Johnson.

Clearly, liberal Rothschild wants no part of bipartisan cooperation to move the country forward. He doesn't want Dems to work with Republicans. Kohl's polite comment was too much for Rothschild to handle.

Extreme? Very.

Rothschild is also upset that both Kohl and Johnson are businessmen. He accuses them of buying their Senate seats.

He writes:

I’m tired of the fetishizing of the American businessman. There is nothing about making a profit or meeting a payroll that endows you with special insights or superior judgment, much less political acumen.

Oh really?

Businessmen don't have the smarts to serve in Washington?

That sheds light on what Rothschild thinks of capitalism and the foundation of our economy, private property and what it takes to achieve the American Dream.

Rothschild seems to think that success in business is an accident rather than an accomplishment based on talent and hard work.

Johnson didn't buy his Senate seat. Voters bought his message, his policies, his character, and his vision.

Wisconsin voters rejected Feingold.

I think if Obama and the Democrats continue to crash and burn and conservatives remain energized and are poised to make more gains, then Kohl will step aside.

I don't think he wants to suffer the humiliation of defeat, like Feingold. I think he'd choose to retire.

As for Feingold successfully convincing Wisconsin voters to send him back to Washington after a two-year break, I think that's a pipe dream.

Liberalism isn't working. Americans know that. Obama and the Democrats overreached and they're paying the price.

If Kohl chooses retirement, the Dems will need a moderate candidate for the Senate, not a fringe Leftist like Feingold.