And figure out that no one outside of their own inflated egos is going to elect them to the office right now. Go figure.

Feingold was my hope for '08. I'm sorry, but Obama just doesn't have the experience yet to convince me he has what it takes to either run or govern successfully. Ditto Edwards, though I like his ideas. I'm interested in Clark, maybe.

I don't know—if it winds up being Hillary or one of the other Republican-lite candidates who will further dilute Democratic identity with self-flagelation and capitulation, then I think something Richard Viguerie said applies—sometimes it's a good thing for your side to lose an election.

Maybe I'll put my energy into congressional primaries for grassroots candidates.

While we may be more enlightened than our parents, racism seems to be a human characteristic...so until we all (or 50% + 1 ) feel we know him, no chance for the white vote...and Hillary is fine, but she is radically vocal about her varied opinions...that is very confusing for us middle-class enablers of the elite. So, same ol' shit different white guy...for now...Powell was certainly well enough known...but he is smart enough not to want it either...I mean really, what 'remotely' sane individual wants the Job - That we would in it. Bill Clinton is the only one I have ever seen in my lifetime...and he is certainly not sane...his sickness is he wants to help everyone and has an idea of what they need

...unlike Bush , who thinks he is helping everyone, while he scares us with his ideas...my god it almost makes me believe in god, cause Bush is in the running for the supreme mythical eveildoer...one we should Trust...trust me... you can trust me...trust me...he's so deluded he doesn't even realize how truly sick he is...Clinton knows he is a sick freak, Bush doesn't...I don't think Hillary does either - she could be worse than Bush or the best ever - can't tell - Back to Bush, I expect he'll be the first president to murder his entire family. He has that crazy female on hormones, trust me while I drown you in the bathtub, look in his eyes most of the time...

Just kidding, I wish.

With Russ's withdrawal, we are missing out on a winner.

I'm a resident of Wisconsin and have twice campaigned door to door for Feingold as U.S. Senator. I have also campaigned door to door for numerous other candidates (including Gore, Kerry) here in Wisconsin. Without hesitation I can say that Russ is the easiest candidate I have ever campaigned for. People love Russ no matter what neighborhood they live in.

Twice divorced? Oh my GOD!!! I can't believe that can be construed as an issue in our fair day and age. America can't even get past its own genitalia half the time (look at Ted Haggart), why would anyone want a guy with real values who votes for and supports justice and common sense in the Oval office? America doesn't deserve a principled executive; it barely deserves Russ Feingold's service in the Senate. I can only hope that Gore runs now because the rest of them (Edwards, Clinton, Obama) are about as deep and inspiring as the "spin du jour" of their Republican brethren.

Wesley Clark might run - I don't know - but I wish everyone would quit counting him out. He won as many primaries as Edwards did last time, and just finished campaigning relentlessly to turn Congress blue.

"the ever-earnest Feingold lacks that magic elixir called charisma"

I'll admit he's not as charismatic as Bill Clinton

but who is? But don't underestimate Feingold's charm. He is hugely popular in Wisconsin because he's genuine.

WI is marginally a blue state but Russ doesn't win by marginal numbers. Clearly he's got a lot of cross over voters. Using the Jewish card is bogus as well because in a state of an overwhelming Xtian majority WI has managed to elect and retain not one but two Jewish senators(despite one being twice divorced and the other being allegedly gay).

I for one am sorry that Senator Feingold has made the decision not to run. I'm comforted by the fact that he will continue to serve in Congress and continue to be a man of character (and charisma) who will serve as a beacon of hope for a progressive future in the US.

As a constiuent of Senator Feingold, I am very disappointed that he lost his way in 2004. Preparing to run for his third US Senate term, Feingold did the unthinakble: he voted AGAINST the Assault Weapons Ban renewal. Yes, a man who claims to be a progressive voted the dictates of the NRA. What a BSer. Herb Kohl, our other Senator voted to renew, as did a few Republicans. The otherwise conservative Wisconsin State Journal, a general supporter of common sense gun control, chastised Feingold in their editorial March 4, 2004.

Feingold always barely wins his seat, in fact, when he was first elected to the Wisconsin state senate in 1982, he won by 32 votes. Feingold cozied up to the NRA, so they wouldn't campaign against him. Reminding my fellow progressive of this betrayl is an exercise in futility--they all seemed to have alzheimers when it comes to Russ and NRA. Oh, yeah, the Betrayer won his third term by 12 points. Thanks, NRA.

Check it out:

http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/tct/2004/03/03/0403030183.php

http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/2004/03/04/0403030503.php

I read - and loved - your book One Car Caravan, and I would have thought you'd be above cheap snark at Kerry's expense.

Yeah, Kerry misspoke - that was surely a first for a politician. How many misstatements has Bush gotten away with, with an airy dismissal from the press? But one missing word from a joke, and Kerry is finished?

The fact that Kerry was exhausted from campaigning on behalf of democratic candidates all over the country has been ignored by everyone but Howard Dean. The money he distributed to candidates and the time he dedicated to promoting them are two of the reasons the democrats won big last Tuesday.

There were no misstatements from Hillary - she was well rested, wasn't she? John Kerry mangled a joke, and Hillary Clinton - to her eternal shame - used it to knife him in the back.

Kerry's supporters know who he is, and admire and trust him. The mailing list that raises money hand over fist does so because it's Kerry doing the asking.

I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion here, but so be it. Kerry worked damned hard for the results we saw last week. No one should attempt to take that away from him.

Not that it matters in this context, but he still has my support for 2008, if he decides he wants to run again. I like that he is a serious man who has his priorities straight. I'll take that quality in a president any day over being a comedian.