October 4, 2010

Voting begins; Feingold says GOP 'peaked too early'

 Sen. Russ Feingold at City Hall voting rally

 Today is Election Day, Oct. 4.

Sticklers will insist there are still 29 days before the Nov. 2 general election, but through the magic of state law and absentee balloting, voting began this morning at City Hall.

Sen. Russ Feingold joined State Sen. John Lehman and Representatives Bob Turner and Cory Mason for a short get-out-the-vote rally on City Hall's front lawn -- being careful to keep all electioneering signs at least 100 feet from the polling place in the City Clerk's office, where ballots arrived this morning.

City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin, left, and her staff were busy instructing a stream of early-bird voters and collecting their ballots shortly after noon. They were too busy to have counted how many had already come in, she said.

The four candidates present at the rally outside, all Democrats with opposition this year, urged their supporters to vote early -- leaving them with free time to help the campaigns.

"Be sure to vote," said Turner. Said Mason, "The key to Democrats' victory in November is turnout, turnout, turnout."

But it was Feingold's rally, and most of the campaign signs displayed bore his name, as Democrats worry about recent polls showing the three-term senator trailing his Republican opponent, multimillionaire businessman Ron Johnson, by a considerable margin. Last week's Rasmussen poll, for example, put Johnson at 54 percent; Feingold at 42 percent.  

"Don't be discouraged by the polls," Feingold told those at the rally, "I've seen some that are encouraging." He might have been referring to a McClatchey-Marist poll reported just before the rally by CNN. Although it carried a discouraging headline -- "Poll Watch: Feingold re-election woes continue" -- the numbers were better for Feingold than Rasmussen's: 52 percent for Johnson vs. 46 percent for Feingold, "only" a 6-point spread (with a 4.5 percent sampling error).

In Feingold's three U.S. Senate victories, his winning margins were: 53% to 46% against Robert Kasten in 1992; 51% to 48% over Mark Neumann in 1998; and 55% to 44% over Tim Michels in 2004.

Speaking of Republicans in general he said, "They've peaked too early. They think all those people who voted for Barack Obama will stay home. They won't!"

Feingold recommended the absentee ballot route for voters, saying it was simple and easy: registration and voting in one step. "It's like getting a flu shot, only better," he said. And it ensures that the election won't be decided "by people spending their personal fortunes, or dominated by people from out of state."

Looking out at the crowd -- maybe 100 people -- Feingold said, "This doesn't look like an enthusiasm gap to me."

"At the worst," Feingold said, "this race is tied." He said Republicans are prematurely "dancing in the end zone."

Meanwhile, three nonpartisan groups -- the American Association of University Women, the Sierra Club and Community 4 Change (argue with the designation of C4C as much as you like) -- are about to announce their failure to get agreement from some Republican legislative candidates for any pre-election debates.

Neither Chris Wright, Republican candidate for the 62nd District Assembly seat held by Mason, nor Van Wanggaard, Republican candidate for the 21st Senate District held by Lehman, has agreed to a debate. The two were offered any date they preferred, but neither responded.

Rep. Mason introduced Sen. Feingold to his daughter,Eleanor Roosevelt,
who is 20 months old. There was some disagreement between them
whether little Eleanor said "Feingold!" (All I heard was "aiexhegl")

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49 comments:

  1. Keep Campaiging Feingold. You're gonna need it. November is around the corner. :)

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  2. The 3 stooges with Feingold makes 4. They will all be gone at their next elections.

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  3. Campaigning on public property I'm pretty sure is not legal. To be electionering this close to the clerks office now that ballots are available is also a likely election violation. Then to be pushing for people to vote specific right outside City Hall is also a likely violation of Wisconsin Election laws. I guess there will be no problem getting evidence. Hopefully the DA has seen this and the JT evidence provided for the trial.

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  4. LOL. "Trial." This is Racine. Nobody cares.

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  5. If Senator Feingold is defeated, so too will be American workers -- the middle class.

    Senator Feingold has represented us even when it meand bucking his own Party. For instance;

    Senator Feingold Has Consistently Opposed Unfair Trade Deals:
    NAFTA: Senator Feingold voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act [Senate Vote #395, 11/20/1993].
    CAFTA: Senator Feingold voted against the United States – Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade Agreement (US-DR-CAFTA) Implementation Act [Senate Vote #209, 7/28/2005].
    GATT: Senator Feingold voted against the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Uruguay Round Bill [Senate Vote #192, 6/30/1993].
    Most Favored Nation Status for China: Senator Feingold voted against making permanent China’s status as a most favored nation for trade [Senate Vote #251, 9/19/2000].
    Fast Track: The Trade Act of 2002, which Senator Feingold voted against, temporarily restored the president’s authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress cannot amend [Senate Vote #207, 8/1/2002].
    The fast track authority contributed to the United States entering into several unfair free trade agreements, which Senator Feingold opposed:
    U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [Senate Vote #319, 8/31/2003]
    U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [Senate Vote #318, 8/31/2003]
    U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [Senate Vote #156, 7/15/2004]
    U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [Senate Vote #250, 9/19/2006]

    His opponent, Ron Johnson endorses Free Trade -- just the way it is.

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  6. 3:58 - That's why Feingold needs to go. You missed a couple however - he voted for ObamaCare and the stimulus.

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  7. Maybe 100? Even the JT said 80, and that number included all of Feingold's staffers, elected officials, four TV camera guys, one Johnson staffer you and I.

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  8. Why would campaigning on public property be illegal? That comment wasn't given much thought.

    It also clearly states in the article that signs were carefully kept at least 100 feet away from the clerk's office, which is the law. Read next time before you comment.

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  9. Anon @3:44 - From the story "Russ Feingold joined State Sen. John Lehman and Representatives Bob Turner and Cory Mason for a short get-out-the-vote rally on City Hall's front lawn -- being careful to keep all electioneering signs at least 100 feet from the polling place in the City Clerk's office, where ballots arrived this morning."

    It appears that this rally was perfectly legal...

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  10. The anonymous comment at 4:42 was not there when I posted mine.

    Should have refreshed my screen before posting!

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  11. There was no 80 people there. Loved the lack of nonwhites goes to show that the Dems are SOL this November. Just a walk 4 blocks away all kinds of unemployed that could have been gathered,was the fact that they would have been black/hispanic the reason why no one recruited them for this dog and pony show?

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  12. Anon 4:55, 80 is a good number, but that included politicians, staffers and media.

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  13. Way to go Russ, both of your supporters showed up!

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  14. Wow, the birthers, republicans and teabaggers are having a good time on the old blogs tonight. Particulalry like anon 4:55's racist rant.

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  15. Feingold has been a great Senator for Wisconsin and for the country. I am proud to vote for him again and hope that enough Wisconsinites still have enough sense about them and do the same. Thanks Russ!

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  16. Ron Johnson's only qualifications are his business experience but so did those folks that ran Enron, the failed banks, and so on. Taking a chance because you are pissed that Obama was elected is a poor reason to support Johnson who has little to offer. As for the the stimulus whether you like it or not it has worked, as a business owner I have seen the progress just as I saw the recession coming in 07.

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  17. Fred I am happy with 60 or 80 he should have had more. Interesting still that more blacks or Hispanics in the crowd

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  18. Always question when I see candidates who say they want to run government like a business when they're polar opposite things. Businesses exist to make money for owners. Government exists to serve and protect constituents, with no profit motive. Elective government service for a businessman would seem a strange pond to swim in, indeed.

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  19. Randy - in other words, the Democrat's like to run deficits. Also, nice signs in your front yard. To bad anyone that knows you live there will vote the opposite of you. They know you are a socialist.

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  20. Plain and simple, Russ Feingold has failed Wisconsin on many many levels. Stand back and take a look at Wisconsin and how we've declined ion just about every category. Russ has been in office for 18-19 yrs, it's way past time for a change. Thanks for nothing Russ!

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  21. 8:25...So was it OK to take a chance with Obama just because you were pissed at Bush?

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  22. I've had more people attend my rummage sale!! Next rummage sale is in Nov. Need to get rid of old baggage.

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  23. Maybe you can sell Feingold at your rummage sale - he certainly won't win the election.

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  24. I guess getting rich of people is better than getting rich off a product produced.

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  25. Those supporting the republican candidates and complaining that Wisconsin is going backward amaze me. Have any of you visited Dave Obey's district and see what he brought to that area? Now look at what Ryan has done for us. Feingold has done a good job of representing the state of Wisconsin and deserves to return. Ron Johnson has done what and will continue to do what?

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  26. Senator Feingold is fine compared to lie and spin Johnson..The quiet majority (Democrats) are waiting to vote and celebrate in November. Sure glad the teabaggers and nasty bloggers are in the minority. Check the polls - they are changing toward the progressives as people start to realize what is really best for them and the USA.

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  27. Randolph, many of my friends and I go past your home, and we will all be voting in accordance with your signs. I sure appreciate your intelligent and fair comments! You look at the whole picture and make astute acomments, tather than the many trite and "sound bite" comments that are so prevalent in the blogs. Thanks so much for your insightful comments - keep them coming!

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  28. Ron Johnson does not believe the earth is warming and would oppose measures to stop it. He is against stem cell research. What other kooky beliefs does he have?

    Does Wisconsin really want a far right nut like this representing us in Washington? I don't think so, but then there is very little coverage of Johnson's ignorant and radical right views.

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  29. Anon, 8:02,

    Thanks for the kind words. We'll weigh in as we can.

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  30. 8:02 - Maybe insightful socialistic views. Randy does not belong in the U.S.A. He is a disgrace.

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  31. Sir - so easy to call names! Ever take a look at yourself?

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  32. Yes, I am an American, unlike Randy.

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  33. Ricardo says: One who votes in anger does not look at issues rationally. One who looks at entire picture of the past and future, will vote for person who has good proven record!

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  34. We have looked at the whole picture and are not voting in anger - we are voting Republican. With Obama, Pelosi, Reed and the rest of the Dem's they turned the auto business, banking and health care over to the government. Come this November we will begin repealing these socialistic ways.

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  35. Ricardo says: One who counts chickens too soon before all hatched out will be surprised! In other words-don't count votes before you have them!

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  36. Republicans now say they would have done nothing for the Automobile and Banking industry, but just think what would have happened had there been a total failure of these two industries? Regarding health care the Republicans had six years in total control and did nothing, now they have all sorts of ideas, again where were they when they had a chance? The Republicans are a party of do nothing which has brought us to where we are today.

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  37. 1:06 - That is right we don't think the government should get involved in private enterprise. That is socialistic - like any business those companies that are well plannned and run will survive. Those that are not will go out of business. We DO NOT need government intervention. Let the market run and correct itself. The Republicans have not put us into this additional debt, passed socialized medicine which will raise taxes, approved cap and trade - it's your pals the Democrats - soon to be out of office.

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  38. Um ... sir ... Republicans actually did put us into additional debt as well as proposing, passing and signing the biggest expansion of Medicare (socialized medicine?) in 40 years. Be a purist, if you want, but don't make up your own facts.

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  39. Oh ... and, sir (10:39) ... I fly Old Glory in my front yard every single day, in memory of family who died defending it. Don't say I'm not an American, Sir! (And I use that address loosely.)

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  40. Sir, you don't say what would have happened if the rescued businesses had failed. Fortunately for all of us the govt stepped in or a lot more Americans would be unemployed. Seems you bend the fact to suit your claims, I guess thats what right wing nuts do to make their point.

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  41. Sir, you should take a course in economics and study the concept of a "mixed economy" that has been a description of the US economy for at least 80 years. Do you want to turn back time that far? No social security? No medicare? No Food and Drug administration? No health and safety monitoring of our food? Where are you on tax exemptions on stock profits or deals for business to stay in the state? What we have is a partnership between private business and government and as one who has had family fighting for the US since the revolution, I resent your attempt to claim America for your own.

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  42. Randy - I agree whole heartedly that the Republican and Democrat's during the Bush administration did put us in debt - that was very wrong. If you read my comment above however I say "additional debt" So I suggest you comment accordingly. Lastly flying a flag does not make you an American - you are still a Socialist a fact you cannot deny! With your belief's you do not belong in this country.

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  43. Sir ... Your personal attacks denote idiocy and small mindedness. THINK before you speak.

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  44. 8:11 - You don't like the truth. These are not personal attacks these are facts.

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  45. Sorry, sir, but unilaterally declaring someone a "socialist" and not a real American ... well, that's a personal attack; at the very least, it's an opinion, but it's certainly not a fact.

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  46. Ricardo says: One who puts down others who disagree with them and have other opinions with deragatory comments and putdowns, might have unresolved personal problems.

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  47. Ricky - I never put him down. Socialism is an ideology. One that Americans do not agree with. Randy lives these values, therefore he should live in a socialised country and take down his American flag.

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  48. Ricardo says: If the shoe fits - put it on. Ricardo feels the truth hurts, but one who has wronged others must admit it!

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  49. Sir - what part of "Freedom of Speech" don't you understand? Please respect others' opinions!

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