Feingold's Departure is Not Surpising
Given the Democratic Party's scorn for progressives, I'm not at all surprised Russ Feingold has withdrawn his name from presidential consideration.
His run would probably have been quite similar to the candidacy of Dennis Kucinich. it would have been a long shot, but it would have kept the progressive wing of the party content until some moderate candidate won the primary.
Now the incentive for progressive Democrats to support the party is not there. I'm continually disappointed by those who share similar progressive values – too many of them mindlessly get behind whatever crap candidates the Democrats offer up.
Maybe by 2008, with the loss of boogeyman Bush, it will be different. Perhaps the prospect of a McCain or a Guiliani won't be scary enough to make voters blindly support another corporate chump with a D by his or her name.
The loss of the somewhat progressive Feingold makes it even more important for the Greens to run a solid candidate. That, or Nader will need to brush himself off and step into the ring one more time (I'd be shocked if this happened). Either way, independents and third parties need to set the wheels in motion soon. Giving the Democrats and Republicans a sizable head start won't help anyone but those who need it least.
His run would probably have been quite similar to the candidacy of Dennis Kucinich. it would have been a long shot, but it would have kept the progressive wing of the party content until some moderate candidate won the primary.
Now the incentive for progressive Democrats to support the party is not there. I'm continually disappointed by those who share similar progressive values – too many of them mindlessly get behind whatever crap candidates the Democrats offer up.
Maybe by 2008, with the loss of boogeyman Bush, it will be different. Perhaps the prospect of a McCain or a Guiliani won't be scary enough to make voters blindly support another corporate chump with a D by his or her name.
The loss of the somewhat progressive Feingold makes it even more important for the Greens to run a solid candidate. That, or Nader will need to brush himself off and step into the ring one more time (I'd be shocked if this happened). Either way, independents and third parties need to set the wheels in motion soon. Giving the Democrats and Republicans a sizable head start won't help anyone but those who need it least.
Al Gore is pretty progressive. Hopefully, he will run again - Ya know - He won in 00 :-)
I don't think Kucinich ran as a "serious" candidate but as a platform to sell his ideas. (I believe, You get so much money from the goverment to run for president and he used it for his message of peace).
I am all for third party candidates but you have to build a foundation first - get me a good Green Candidate in my school board or city council and I'll trust him as he moves forward.
Just my 2 cents :-)
Posted by cindy | 6:46 PM