Pragmatic politics: Progressive hero Feingold won't appear w/Obama while Grayson . . .

[wndycty]

. . .has decided not to appear on the Stephanie Miller Show until after the election.

I have absolutely no problem with this. You do what you got to do to win. If Feingold feels he must not appear with Obama and Grayson feels he needs to avoid the Stephanie Miller Show I support both decisions.

I don't like it, but I support it.

I raise this point because it appears we are so quick to diss Democrats who aren't considered as progressive as Feingold and Grayson when they engage in pragmatic politics, then we usually point to these two as well as Kucinich as liberal crusaders who never compromise who fight the good fight. Well it appears that when they feel vulnerable they engage in pragmatic politics as well.

Next time Obama or others engage in pragmatic or safe politics remember even the best of them do when they deem it necessary.

[ProSense]

1. You make a valid point about a lot of races, but

that is not why Feingold isn't appearing with the President.

I really don't see how a very public appearance with the President four weeks ago can be ignored to claim that Feingold is afraid to be seen with the President.

Michelle Obama to host fundraiser for Feingold in Milwaukee

[wndycty]

5. I will grant that we don't know for sure that Feingold is blowing Obama off, but. . .

. . .this is the second time in a month at that the president has appeared in Wisconsin without Feingold and I'm sure the Senator knows how it looks to some.

[PVnRT]

10. He's not "blowing him off," he's in DC doing the job he was elected to do

[wndycty]

11. Don't you think if Feingold WANTED to be seen with Obama the White House & Feingold. . .

. . .would have chosen a time that works for both schedules.

The White House doesn't say to Feingold this is the date take it or leave it. They say what works for you?

[kentuck]

2. But won't this make it more difficult for Feingold?

In effect, he is running against Obama.

[bigdarryl]

3. BAD MOVE!!!!!!

[Enrique]

4. Feingold's independence has always been his thing

his position against TARP is what might save him this time for example.

[vaberella]

15. If we're looking towards the polls...then I'd have to disagree with you on that.

Apparently, and this is by people in his state on DU. The financial reform package was a big hit in his state and he voted against it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x449845

Read post 10, 12, and 13.

[dragonlady]

6. Feingold has a job in addition to running for office

Today the Senate has a cloture vote on proceeding to the Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act. As one of Feingold's constituents, I'd rather have him there casting that vote than rushing back to Madison.

[wndycty]

7. You do realize if Feingold isn't blowing Obama off he could ask Obama to schedule. . .

. . .a trip there on the weekend.

I am not knocking Feingold, he is doing what he needs to do to win, but the scheduling excuse is BULLSHIT. If he wasn't blowing Obama off they would have scheduled this at time that would have worked for both.

[dragonlady]

12. The President has LOTS of places to get around to

They can't all be on the weekend.

[wndycty]

14. The president has visited the state twice. . .you don't think a schedule or two couldn't have . . .

. . .been changed?

I'm not calling out Feingold, just pointing out that everybody is pragmatic when they need to be.

[zulchzulu]

8. Pragmatic politics is indeed part of understanding the full spectrum of politics

Sometimes you have to play the shell game or triangulate to swerve past what may seem uncharted territory, as this year's midterm election seems to be.

Go with your instinct when your life is on the line. Follow others and die. Such is politics in these times.

[wndycty]

9. Plus 100,000

:kick:

[impik]

13. Yea, because Feingold is in such good shape in the polls, that he doesn't need Obama...

[Drunken Irishman]

16. We'll see if Feingold made the right decision...

I don't think anyone would fault Feingold for taking a day off to campaign. Candidates are doing it all over the country and I'm sure Feingold returning to his state for a rally with the POTUS isn't going to damage him in any way.

But we'll see how this rally turns out. It very well could be a mega-rally with thousands of supporters and if that's the case, I can't help but think it'll hurt Feingold.

Then again, the rally might only have a few hundred people.

[dragonlady]

17. Russ DID make it back for the rally in Madison

Good for him.

[elleng]

18. Feingold did appear.

[angee_is_mad]

19. kick

and recommend!

[hulka38]

20. Feingold does the right thing when it counts.

He's been right on all the big issues. I don't care who he wants to appear with when he is campaigning.

[mucifer]

21. Grayson's appearances on Stephanie Miller were a bit surreal and I can see why

he's holding off. They can be edited. Have you guys notice Al Franken interviewed scores of congressmen on his radio show. Now he doesn't let any liberals interview him. But, I'm fine with that because he spends his time doing his job.

[Hekate]

22. There were numerous threads today about Obama and Feingold together today at the U of W

The rally drew about 30,000 people, mostly young -- all enthusiastic. Feingold spoke. Obama spoke.

These threads--and probably more. Hopefully you guys will go look them up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=459145&mesg_id=459145
Aramchek
Follow this link, Barack Obama is kicking ass!
http://www.barackobama.com/live/?source=HQB

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impik
Obama's rally: OFA excellent feed:
http://www.barackobama.com/live/?source=roadblock

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x458976
zulchzulu
Live stream of Obama event in Madison
http://www.nbc15.com /
Follow the link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x458579
Perky
Still Fired up! Still Ready to Go!
Lead me...follow me...or get the hell out of my way.

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MadBadger
To Move forward, you put the Car in D, to Move backwards, you put it in R
Very True Mr. President (Okay, maybe D=N)

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madamesilverspurs
Takeaway from today's speech
Change
is not a spectator sport
Yes we can
Oh, yeah. I'm standing with him!

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impik
I'm sticking with this man to the end.
Never giving up on him. Never.