Feingold establishes PAC, and other news
Hi everybody. First off, I'm sorry for not updating sooner. Sometimes I'm busy and sometimes I'm lazy and either way the blog doesn't get updated. But I'm trying to do better, and I thank everybody who comes here for their support.
Now, onto the not-that-new news: an article in the Appleton Post-Crescent about the Senator's appearance on "Q&A" includes this interesting detail:
Feingold filed a document with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 21 establishing the Progressive Patriots PAC. This leadership committee, soon to be renamed the Progressive Patriot Fund, will finance his travel around the country as he gauges public interest in his possible candidacy. The committee already has received between $2,000 and $5,000 in contributions, according to George Aldrich, who managed Feingold's Senate campaign last year.
Of course, establishing a leadership PAC like this is always described as one of the signs of someone who's considering a presidential run. I like the "Progressive Patriot" name-lots of Republicans would like us to believe that's an oxymoron, I'm glad to see Senator Feingold standing up to them. It's also a reminder of the PATRIOT Act and the Senator's lonely, principled vote on that.
Also, WisPolitics.com has an interview with the Senator up. No particular parts I want to quote, but it includes Senator Feingold's thoughts on the State of the Union, his ideas for health care and Iraq, and of course, he's asked about 2008 and gives the standard answer we could all probably repeat by heart. But, seriously, it's worth reading.
My thanks to Larry (whodat527) for bringing those articles to my attention!
Finally, a bit more recently, there was an article in the Sheboygan Press asking area residents what they thought about their Senator running for President, and the results were, frankly, shocking. Apparently, Democrats like the idea, and Republicans not so much! Who'da thunk it! Still, it's a good read. I especially liked this part:
Whatever Feingold's interests are, he's a long shot for the Democratic presidential nomination against major players such as New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, and last year's nominees, Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John Edwards, Zylman said.
"But Jimmy Carter came in below the radar and developed a grassroots network that helped him capture New Hampshire and it kept on going," Zylman said.
"Everyone said Bill Clinton wasn't going to make it either," Squire said. "You don't decide not to run because of your competition."
Feingold is no stranger to the underdog title, Squire said. When Feingold first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992, he beat primary opponents James Moody and Joseph Checota. Following that, Feingold defeated incumbent Robert Kasten.
"He wasn't supposed to beat Kasten in the general election or Moody and Checota in the primary," Squire said.
Feingold will definitely be an underdog in the presidential race, but he knows how to win from that position by effectively communicating his message and cultivating the grassroots.
posted by Dan K. @ 11:28 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Feingold indeed faces very tough odds to take the nomination, but what about his chances in the election season's first two events, the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary? Very good. Other bloggers have already noted his strong chances in the bordering Iowa, and New Hampshire certainly likes their independents. Feingold's campaign finance partner McCain won the 2000 Republican N.H. primary with strong independent support. In other words, the senator from Wisconsin, even if he loses out later in some "Super Tuesday" nonsense, can at least make a lot of thunder and strongly influence the Democratic platform.
Anon: You are absolutely right that Iowa and New Hampshire should be good states for Senator Feingold.
whodat: I see what you mean about the difference between "underdog" and "long shot" and you are right that calling Senator Feingold a long shot and Senator Bayh a major player is unfair. Senator Feingold is probably more well known nationwide than Evan Bayh, for McCain-Feingold if nothing else.
But I think journalists see things differently than other people. I think its an easier story to say that the Democrats are divided between liberals and moderates and, by the media's definition, there are more well-known "liberal" candidates for the nomination than Feingold (Hillary and Kerry) whereas Bayh is seen as one of, if not THE, leading moderates in the party. Also, I think that Bayh is made to be a major player because a lot of pundits think he's the kind of guy the Democrats need (a centrist who can win in a "red state"). Obviously, I think Senator Feingold is a better choice, but he doesn't appeal to the conventional wisdom the way Bayh does.
And thanks for pointing out that site, I'll add it next time I update the links.
here's the info to contribute to the Progressive Patriots Fund:
If you are interested in mailing a contribution, please make checks payable to:
Progressive Patriots Fund
Attn: PJ McCann
P.O. Box 628008
Middleton, WI 53562
If you are interested in making a credit card contribution you have a few options:
1. You can send me an email to pjmccann@comcast.net with your phone number--they will call you and take down the information.
2. You can call PJ McCann's cell at 301-706-3363 or call the Progressive Patriots Fund office at 608-831-1308 and speak to Cole.
3. You can fill out this Contribution Form and fax it to the office at
608-831-1348
4. You can fill out the Contribution Form and email it to: pjmccann@comcast.net
fraternally,
jerry
Grateful for shharing this
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