Feingold tells Obama fans to 'cool it'

[undeterred]

By Robert Mentzer
Wausau Daily Herald
[e-mail]

The fight for the Democratic nomination for president has gotten personal in recent days, but U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold is urging calm.

"I'll tell some of the (Barack) Obama supporters here today: Cool it," Feingold, D-Middleton, said Wednesday to a group of about 50 people at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County. "Take it a little easy."

The campaigns of Sens. Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York have exchanged blows in recent weeks, and aides to each campaign have resigned after making controversial statements. At UWMC, Feingold aimed his censure at Obama supporters, saying their purpose should not be to "crush" Clinton, but at other times, he seemed to take aim at both campaigns' rhetoric.

"People are frustrated by the length of this political season," Feingold said. "When that starts to get personal, it is to the benefit of the Republican candidate. I believe there's plenty of time for this to be over. But it needs to stop pretty soon."

Feingold has said he voted for Obama in Wisconsin's primary and that he is "highly inclined" to support him as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention. Following the constituent listening session, he told the Daily Herald that he thinks Democratic party leaders should try to influence the tone of the campaign, but that it is not yet time to step in to force an outcome.

"The more leaders say, 'Look, this (tone) isn't welcome,' ... I think people hear me say that, and I hope they'd say, well, you know, maybe he's right," he said. Feingold said he still does not think superdelegates will decide the nominee, implying that the contest will be wrapped up before the Democratic convention in late August.

Discussion at Wednesday's listening session ranged from constituent concerns about veterans benefits, central Wisconsin plant closings and the possibility of war with Iran. Feingold holds listening sessions in all 72 counties in Wisconsin each year.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/WDH0101/803270649/1581/WDHnews

:hide: I just wrote and asked him to hurry up and endorse Obama. :hide:

[Connonym]

1. He's not my first choice but I've decided I prefer Obama so my opinion may be slanted in that regard

but from what I've seen I really don't see where the Obama people are slinging the mud. Most of that ugliness seems to be coming from Camp Hillary. I'm very angry with her whole "I've got experience, McCain's got experience, Obama's got a speech" thing as well as the subtle innuendo with her remarks about whether Obama was a Muslim or an Xtian. From my point of view she's the one who is endangering the Democratic party here. She may think that it will get her the nom but I think she needs to think outside her own ego and consider what it does to the party if Obama ends up being the candidate and McCain will be able to throw mud and say "this is what Obamas own party thinks" That's just NOT right. I firmly believe that party loyalty trumps candidate loyalty because at the end of the day an individual politician needs his fellow party members in order to make things happen. Some people think it's intellectual to say that they vote based on the candidate and not on the party but I personally think that's a very naive way to look at the process.

[undeterred]

2. He sent me an 11 page pdf

on the presidential nominating process...

That'll teach me to tell Senator Feingold to "hurry up" ... :rofl:


Here's Kohl's response:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I appreciate hearing from you and learning of your views on the Democratic Presidential Primary.

As you know, the 2008 Presidential Election cycle is in full swing. Primaries give voters the opportunity to get to know the candidates running for President and become familiar with their
platforms. I look forward to all constituencies being represented in an effort to elect a President that will best serve our nation. It is my hope that in the coming months an open debate will proceed, addressing the many critical issues facing our nation.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the race unfolds.

:shrug: noncommital, as usual