Oh well...

So, Russ Feingold announced this weekend that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for President for 2008. On his website, he wrote, ""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."

Part of the downside of taking back Congress is that now that Democrats have a chance at doing something - something they may not have a little over two years from now -, Feingold doesn't want to waste this opportunity by running for President. On the whole, a very smart move, but I think we can afford to shed a tear for what would have been a wonderful campaign.

According to the same WaPo article I linked to above, Feingold said "I often felt that if a piece of Wisconsin swiss cheese had taken the same positions I've taken, it would have elicited the same standing ovations." True, but look at the positions...Campaign finance, the only vote against the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001, one of 23 to vote against the war in Iraq, calling for censure of President Bush, an advocate of universal health insurance, support of same-sex marriage. The man holds "listening sessions" back in Wisconsin to hear what his constituents want. He's returned $50,000 of pay raises to the U.S. Treasury, after a promise not to accept a raise while in office. Perhaps a piece of swiss cheese could have receieved a standing ovation for those positions, but it would be a piece of swiss cheese with more courage than almost anyone in the Democratic Party.

So, who's next? In this week's Gallup Poll, Hillary leads with 31%, followed by Obama with 19%, John Edwards with 10%, and Al Gore with 9%. However, in an APRI head-to-head poll in September, Hillary vs. Al Gore only gave Clinton a 2 point lead - well within the margin of error. On Tradesports, the betting world seems to think Clinton has a 0.56 chance of getting the nomination, followed by Obama at 0.15, Gore at 0.11, and Edwards at 0.10.

When I find someone new to back, I'll let you know. But just remember, it's still 2006. Did you know who Howard Dean was in November 2002?