March 12, 2006

Feingold Wants President Censured

Sen. Russ Feingold wants to take advantage of President Bush's low poll numbers and appear to be a leader to far-Left Democrats in preparation for a Presidential run. So he drops into ABC's This Week to call for President Bush's censure:

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold this morning called for the censure of President Bush for what the senator called the "illegal wiretapping" of Americans.

The Wisconsin Democrat, speaking on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on ABC News, referred to Bush's use of the National Security Agency to conduct domestic wiretaps without a court order or warrant. Feingold said that tomorrow he plans to introduce a Senate resolution calling for the censure of Bush and condemnation of his "unlawful authorization" of the wiretaps.

Feingold stopped short of calling for Bush's impeachment, though he said it remained an option. "This is right in the strike zone of high crimes and misdemeanors," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, appearing on the same program, condemned the approach by saying Feingold "is just wrong. He's flat wrong. He's dead wrong." The Tennessee Republican defended the NSA wiretaps as lawful.

Frist said he hoped people in Iran were not listening to the program because Feingold's approach sent a "terrible, terrible signal" that the country did not support its commander-in-chief while at war.

Both Feingold and Frist may run for president in 2008. Feingold told Stephanopoulos that he would not decide whether to run until after mid-term Congressional elections in November.

Even with the GOP's mutiny on the ports deal censure is dead in the water. That changes if the Senate swings to the Democrats in November. However, Feingold is playing to to the Kos-Left. He's tending those roots since as a Senator from a smaller state he doesn't have an instant base of support. In short, he's pandering to his base.

"Feingold Calls for Bush's Censure"

UPDATE: Owen Robinson doesn't let me down:

Feingold’s call for Censure is an immature swipe from a Senator who feels powerless and marginalized - and not without some justification. It is an obvious attention seeking maneuver and fund-raising ploy.

"Feingold Wants to Censure Bush"

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