Senator Feingold, after a relatively easy third win for Wisconsin’s Senate seat, Democratic Wisconsin residents and Democratic Americans need you, now more than ever, to run for president of the United States in 2008.

I understand that some of your detractors, critics and naysayers will label this call to arms preposterous and ridiculous. “Russ is too liberal, Russ is too idealistic, Russ is Jewish,” they call out in unison. However, you have never been daunted by any challenge and disillusioned Wisconsinites and Democrats across the United States need you to tackle the biggest challenge of your political life.

Mr. Feingold — the Democratic party is in shambles. In order to fully comprehend this, we need to look no further than the persistent rumors that Hillary Clinton is poised to run as a presidential candidate in 2008. If Ms. Clinton decides to run, we will have thousands of lifelong and core Democrats voting for everyone and anyone else. So disillusioned, many may even vote for the Republican candidate.

The outcome of America’s most recent presidential election sent shockwaves throughout the Democratic Party apparatus. Though damaged by a futile war in the Mideast and a stagnant economy at home, George Bush managed a decisive victory over John Kerry. While simultaneously re-examining the outcome of the election and holding my head in my hands, I finally realized how George Bush emerged victorious. George Bush won the election because of exactly one thing: John Kerry.

For all of his accomplishments, John Kerry is what he is: a stiff Brahmin who seemed out of touch with everyone but the American aristocracy. His attempts at seeming less esoteric and affluent were artificial and disingenuous. With Bruce Springsteen, the epitome of the working-class hero at his side, Kerry was still unable to muster support from poor farmers and laborers who voted for a candidate whose economic policies make them even more destitute. Simply put, the election was Kerry’s to lose and he lost decisively.

So why you, Mr. Feingold? Why should you risk your political reputation and comfortable digs in the Senate chambers and run for president in 2008? Why should you run for president of a country that is becoming more and more radically conservative on a daily basis while you continually endorse “liberal” ideas and ideals?

Because we need you, Mr. Feingold. America needs you.

During your 12 years as Senator of Wisconsin, you have become nationally recognizable because of your commitment to goals that benefit your Wisconsin constituents and the American people. Your commitment to campaign finance reform has reduced the amount of corruption seemingly intrinsic to our nation’s political system and bolstered true democracy. Your commitment to upholding the core values of honesty, integrity and decency have made you a role model for this writer and countless other Americans. Your commitment to protecting both civil liberties and civil rights has brought the “Big Brother” tactics embedded in the Patriot Act to light. How many Americans would have been aware of the covert and surreptitious clauses in the Patriot Act had you not cast the lone dissenting vote in the U.S. Senate?

As the country grows more and more socially restrictive, internationally hated and adamantly Republican, those of us who have seen and read about this great American democracy need a leader who will restore the values that once made this nation so great. Values of acceptance, tolerance and moderation that were the envy of the entire world. Values that beckoned those from distant lands to come to our shores when they were tired, hungry and poor. You have lived up to these values for 12 years as U.S. Senator, Mr. Feingold. Now we need those values back in the White House.

Josh Moskowitz ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in political science and journalism.