Feingold: Not a “Maverick,” Just a Liberal
Jessica McBride points out that “maverick” Senator Russ Feingold, who has heretofore claimed that he would not oppose any presidential nominee merely on the grounds of ideology, is going to support an attempted filibuster against Judge Alito.
It seems that being a presidential candidate has caused Feingold to rise above principle.
The hard-core liberal/left base of the Democratic Party is arguably the greatest political asset the Republicans have.
A Democrat can pander to that base and win the nomination (and be crippled in the general election), or hue to the center and lose the nomination.
Which is not a hard electoral prediction about 2008. The Republicans have plenty of room to screw up, and events could favor the Democrats. But the handicap the Democrats face is clear.
It seems that being a presidential candidate has caused Feingold to rise above principle.
The hard-core liberal/left base of the Democratic Party is arguably the greatest political asset the Republicans have.
A Democrat can pander to that base and win the nomination (and be crippled in the general election), or hue to the center and lose the nomination.
Which is not a hard electoral prediction about 2008. The Republicans have plenty of room to screw up, and events could favor the Democrats. But the handicap the Democrats face is clear.
posted by John McAdams at 1:13 PM
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