By Neil the Ethical Werewolf
Feingold aficionados Lindsay and Scott have commented on Russ Feingold's decision not to run for president. I agree with both of them that Russ is in a better position now as a Senator in the majority, and I hope he has a big role in running Senate investigations. Feingold's campaign also would have needed base dissatisfaction with the party establishment to really catch fire, and that was less likely after a gigantic midterm victory. And if Feingold can't win the nomination, it's for the best that he doesn't fragment the left side of the party by running, which would make it easier for Hillary to get a centrist plurality.
As I have before, I'd like to advertise John Edwards to Feingold supporters and other folks who care about civil liberties (thanks for the lukewarm support, Scott!). Edwards has supported Feingold's drive to censure Bush, and called for broader oversight of the Bush Administration. Back in 2000, he was one of only two Senators from the old Confederacy to vote against the constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. He has a 100% rating from NARAL and he circulated petitions encouraging Democrats to block the Alito nomination by any means necessary. I'm happy enough for people on the right and center to let the southern accent fool them into thinking he's just another centrist, but I just want to make sure my allies on the left know what the deal is.
