Over the course of his visit, he laid out what sounded like the elements of an embryonic Feingold strategy - for himself or his party - for how to win back lapsed and teetering Democrats. Put another way, he provided some clues about how a "Russ Feingold for President" campaign, were it ever to happen, might look. If the theme of the trip was making inroads in red states dominated by culturally conservative voters, Feingold's prescriptions involved both style and substance. Along with jobs and health care, he repeatedly brought up the deficit and trade, suggesting both issues could be used to win back conservative and blue collar voters upset by the nation's growing debt or the loss of jobs overseas. He argued that the environment could be a winning issue in red states, especially if Democrats linked it to hunting and fishing and conservation, something John Kerry sought with mixed success to do in 2004.
Feingold was not willing to concede that Alabama is a lost cause, as so many national figures in the Democratic Party are willing to do. He came here to learn, to understand, to teach. So as he prepares to leave the United States Senate, let me just say -- Thank you, senator, for remembering us here in RedStateLand, for remembering that even in red states there are people who struggle every day to keep hope alive. And may God bless you in your next endeavor. |
