Russ Feingold stiller ikke op i 2008

Den demokratiske senator Russ Feingold (Wisc.) har besluttet sig for ikke at stille op til præsidentvalget i 2008. Feingold mente i bund og grund at det ville være spild af tid når han alligevel ikke ville have en chance for at vinde og at det ville tage fokus væk fra hans arbejde i Senatet.

I en email til sine støtter skrev Feingold: "I'm sure a campaign for President would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda. At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a Senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget Committees. Although I have given it a lot of thought, I cannot muster the same enthusiasm for a race for President while I am trying simultaneously to advance our agenda in the Senate.".

Senator Feingolds støtte i præsidentvalget kan godt gå hen og blive rimelig vigtig, han er om nogen venstrefløjen i partiets mand og den der får hans støtte kan meget vel regne med at blive støttet af venstrefløjen (Jeg tror han ender på enten Clinton eller Edwards).

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Update: Feingold har på spørgsmålet om hvem han støtter sagt at: "The first choice would be somebody who voted against this unfortunate Iraq war. That may not be available. Second choice is somebody who at least said it was a bad idea ... I would be happy if [Senator Barack] Obama or [former Vice President Al] Gore ran,".