Why doesn't Russ Feingold ask Bill Clinton to help him and Campaign with Him ?

[JI7]

i think it would help him. i know he wants to be seen as some independent maverick type. but they arne't going to think different if he campaigns with clinton.

the most positive thing that people remember from the clinton years was that the economy was good. and that's what people in wisconsin would be reminded of .

most important is that i'm sure an event with Clinton would bring a lot of attention in the state and people are now paying attention more than ever.

i asked before why clinton didn't campaign for feingold but some suggested that feingold may not have asked him or doesn't want him to. but if it helps him he should ask and i'm sure clinton will say yes.

[elocs]

1. No, he doesn't want to be seen as some independent maverick type. He is.

You might want to consider how that phrase sounds.

I'm sure there are no end to the people who think they know better how to run Feingold's campaign than he does and I'm sure they will be crowing with I told you so's if he loses. If he wins we won't be hearing much from them.

[JI7]

2. maybe clinton wont help , but i don't think he would hurt

[karynnj]

3. I agree with you - and notice that the WI people here all seem to have said similar things

I think that star Democrats can draw crowds almost entirely of the faithful. They are useful in terms of getting some people out and possibly motivated to work in their communities. It also gives a one day positive news story - not something to sneeze about.

However, I suspect that their ability to transfer whatever popularity they have to a candidate is limited. A good example of that is the MA Senate race. Both Obama and Clinton came to MA to help Coakley in the last few days of the campaign. Senator Kerry went out about a week after hip surgery to have a few rallies for her. All three were met with cheers, but Brown won - with only slightly more votes than McCain had when he lost. Kerry in 2008 got nearly twice the number that Brown had. A significant number of democrats stayed home - in spite of the appeals from these men.

From comments of WI Duers, I wonder if Feingold will end the race with an ad where he references the principles he cited when he first ran - and spoke of how - through all the years - he followed them - emphasizing that he is independent, answering to only his conscience and the voters. There are few long term politicians who can convincingly say that - and he is one. If WI wants an independent, fiscal conservative, non-corporate Senator, all they have to do is look at their current Senator. He is all those things. The race, if won, will be won because at the moment of truth, WI voters remember why they liked (and even more, respected) him in the first place.

[karynnj]

4. Too late to edit - but I found an article that speaks of what they thing he needs to do to win

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/09/russ_feingolds.php

(The website has "paths" for both sides in several races. The Feingold one is interesting.