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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWisconsin Readies for Russ Feingold's Return
National Journal:The latest round of speculation over Feingold's future started Thursday, when the Huffington Post reported that the former three-term senator was scheduled to deliver his final speech next week as a member of the State Department, where he's served since 2013 as a special envoy to central Africa.
If Feingold's departure is imminent, that comes as no surprise in Wisconsin, where political insiders have believed for months that Feingold would return to take on GOP Sen. Ron Johnson next year in a repeat of their 2010 matchup. "The general assumption and hope is that Russ Feingold does run for Senate in 2016," said Mike Tate, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Feingold, Tate added, is the "strongest candidate to take on Ron Johnson in 2016."
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)Feingold certainly has name recognition and followers.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)And "activists."
Run of the mill poll workers and canvassers will do what they do in general elections.
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)and I'm not sure what brings to mind apathetic voters?
Feingold would need every vote he can muster and he'd need many volunteers to overcome what will be a money gap created by coordination of the Koch machine and the GOP. With the grip on the senate as the prize the WI senate race will be nationally important if it is competitive. And, at least for the GOP that's going to mean funneling money from all over the nation, and some outside countries, to Johnson
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)There's no guarantee.
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)I'm having trouble understanding what you are wanting communicate.
I wholeheartedly agree there are no guarantees.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)The "left" didn't give a shit.
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)This pattern has been true for many decades, and it is likely behind the interest in moving the election of governors to off years. Since that happened, dem candidates haven't done very well, but it's also true that the pattern is greatly influenced by the multiple terms of "Tommy" Thompson.
The center of the state...and SE WI contain dems that don't turn out for off year elections, but do turnout for generals. I can't really explain it, but it's a pattern, and it has nothing to do with young age. It's as true for people in their 30's as it is for 20-somethings in or just out of college.
BUT, it also really isn't possible to dismiss the impact of misperception among WI tea-hadists, that environmental regulation to protect WI waterways (a tremendous asset for WI tourism/angling industries) was -the thing- that was hard on paper industry jobs in central WI and forestry in N. WI.
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)Why? What is your motivation for continuing to tell this lie?
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)The so-called "conservative Democrats" -- whatever the fuck that oxymoron could possible mean-- like to make the false claim that the left is unreliable and doesn't come out to vote. Even after being shown this is a lie, they continue to knowingly spread this lie. The question is why. Why do "conservative democrats" knowingly tell this lie?
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Move along.
ND-Dem
(4,571 posts)Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)he got screwed with the vote count in one County. BTW,Johnson is one of the lamest Senator's to ever represent Wisconsin. The Lamest was Joe McCarthy. Russ Will have a tough slug on his hands,his worst enemy is the Journal Sentinel.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)He had a LOT of power at one time and ruined a lot of people in the process. A bull in the proverbial China shop, as it were.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)he gave Wisconsin a big ol Black Eye. At the time our State really took a hit. Our College grads were considered off limits,do not hire,tainted by Tail Gunners Image. Cohen and Nixon made Joe's persona. Hearst News pretty much loved this idiot.
progressoid
(49,999 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)I wonder if he would consider running for president in 2016?
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... I hope it's because he has a higher office in mind!
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)I'm not sure Feingold is really thinking he'll run for the presidency.