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Potential Russ Feingold Candidacy Has Democrats Torn
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| Contributor | Craverguy |
| Last Edited | Craverguy May 15, 2011 06:25pm |
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| Category | Analysis |
| Author | Sam Stein |
| Media | Website - Huffington Post |
| News Date | Friday, May 13, 2011 10:40:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | WASHINGTON -- The abrupt announcement by Senator Herb Kohl that he will retire at the end of this term has left a void in the Democratic Party -- and provoked potentially divisive questions over how to fill it.
Russ Feingold, the object of admiration for the grassroots community but a bête noir for many in the official party apparatus, stands at the heart of the matter. The former senator was completely surprised by Kohl's announcement, those close to him say, and, as of Friday, is more likely to sit out another run at congressional office than throw his hat immediately back in the ring after his lost in 2010.
But even before Feingold makes a decision, an informal pull and push was being applied towards a prospective candidacy.
Soon after Kohl's announcement, the progressive advocacy group Democracy for America launched a petition campaign urging Feingold to run for office. But, at the same time, national Democrats were subtly pushing the idea that other candidates would stand a better chance at winning. One party official floated the names of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Kind as alternatives. An adviser to Baldwin, who could potentially draw some progressive support away from Feingold, quickly suggested she would run. Another top operative, asked about the field, emailed with the simple prediction: “I think new blood wins [this race].”
This is the common dynamic when it comes to Feingold, a senator who has built a reputation and structured a lengthy political career on being an outsider, even within his own party. |
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