One year after President Bush won his second term in office, the country is already abuzz with possible 2008 candidates. With Bush’s approval rating plummeting, many seem anxious to be rid of him and find a replacement. And, of course, the Democratic Party is getting desperate at this point. After losing the House, Senate, and White House in the last five years, the left is awaiting a much-needed revival of progressive politics.
What better way to breathe new life into progressive politics than to nominate a true progressive? A forward-thinking politician who is an outspoken advocate for progressive beliefs and isn’t afraid to speak his or her mind, even if what is said goes against the status quo? Some names that have been thrown around include New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, and our very own Sen. Russ Feingold.
Yes, the beloved senator who has stood up for Wisconsin on so many occasions is entertaining the idea of running for president. Sen. Feingold has been in the news recently for challenging President Bush and proposing a withdrawal date for the war in Iraq. Upon actually reading the Patriot Act, he cast the lone vote in the Senate against it. He has also spent time testing the waters, traveling around the country, discussing America’s need for a strong, progressive foreign policy.
Sen. Feingold would be the ideal progressive presidential nominee: an environmental conservationist, a strong advocate of the Bill of Rights, a proponent of more accessible health care and a fiscally responsible leader advocating pay-as-you-go in Congress to contain government spending. He’s personable, he listens to his constituents in Wisconsin at 72 listening sessions a year and he stands up for what he believes in.
Unfortunately, Sen. Feingold has a few obstacles that he must overcome before acquiring the Democratic nomination. To begin with, he is not the best-known prospective candidate. Of course, not many candidates have the name recognition of a former first lady or an ex-president’s son, but Feingold still has a long way to go before he can contend with more easily identifiable Democrats.
Sen. Feingold and his second wife, Mary, announced in April that they are getting a divorce after 14 years of marriage. Though there is no reason to believe this will affect his leadership, some people will undoubtedly take it into consideration. It is not a reflection of his family values, as he still maintains a loving relationship with his daughters, but many voters may be turned off, nonetheless.
Sen. Feingold is also Jewish. I’m not accusing Americans of being so blatantly anti-Semitic they would dismiss a candidate because of his religion, but it wasn’t until President Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in 1960 that the White House hosted a Catholic. Americans want a politician they can relate to, and Jews don’t comprise a large percentage of the populace.
What are the chances of a Jewish man from Wisconsin becoming the next presidential nominee? Can the fact that he is a hard-working progressive and Rhodes Scholar deflect the negative press of two failed marriages? One would hope so. America simply can’t afford to miss the opportunity of the great leadership and growth a President Feingold could provide.
Julie Isen ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science and interned for Sen. Feingold last fall.