Wisconsin Recalls

Dems Claim Over 100,000 Signatures For Walker Recall

Eric Kleefeld | November 21, 2011, 11:03AM

Wisconsin Democrats, after last week's official launch of the campaign to recall Gov. Scott Walker, made a major show of strength over the weekend.

United Wisconsin, the group managing the recall, announced on Saturday that during the first four days of the effort -- from Tuesday through Friday -- they had brought in 105,000 signatures, nearly a fifth of the threshold they must legally meet: 540,208 signatures in a 60-day window.

There are, of course, two important caveats: First, after months of build-up to the recall campaign, it is natural that there would be an initial rush to sign in the first few days. Second, the Dems will have to gather even more than 540,208 signatures in real terms -- for a buffer that campaigns routinely collect in order to protect against signatures being disqualified over one imperfection or another.

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Jobs

Reid Casts Doubt On Unanimous Dem Support For Obama Jobs Bill

Brian Beutler | October 5, 2011, 1:27PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)

At a Wednesday Capitol press conference, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) again couldn't confidently predict that President Obama's jobs bill has the support of the entire Democratic caucus -- even after leadership tweaked some of its controversial measures to broaden party support for the plan.

"I don't know what 'unanimity' means," Reid told reporters. "We'll get most all the Democrats."

Unanimity, of course, means all Democrats -- which will be important. If one or two Democrats defect from the bill, Republicans can (and will) say that the opposition to the plan is bipartisan.

There's a chance that he could unite the party, particularly after replacing Obama's proposed tax measures with a simpler five percent surtax on millionaires to pay for the jobs programs.

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Russ Feingold

Feingold Group To Press Super Committee On Buffett Rule

Brian Beutler | September 22, 2011, 6:22AM

Former WI Senator Russ Feingold

Former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold offered enthusiastic praise for President Obama's deficit plan, and particularly for the so-called "Buffett rule" -- a principle holding that people who make more than a million dollars a year should pay at least the same effective tax rate as middle class workers.

"I just want to say how pleased I am that the President is taking a strong stand with this Buffett rule," Feingold said in a Wednesday interview. "What excites me even more, is it's the only fiscally responsible approach."

Feingold's new advocacy group Progressives United will press the joint Super Committee to adopt the Buffett rule as part of a broader deficit reduction plan. In an email to supporters, Feingold will make it explicit. "[T]he influence of big corporations and the super rich is strong in Congress, and several senators -- including Democratic ones -- are already opposing this crucial effort," the solicitation reads. "Tell the super committee how important it is to make millionaires pay their fair share."

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AFL-CIO

Trumka To Dems: Walk Away From Bad Super Committee Deal

Brian Beutler | August 25, 2011, 11:30AM

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Democrats should be prepared to walk away from a bad deficit deal even if the consequence is a far-reaching penalty that would likely cost a huge number of jobs.

"They shouldn't agree to anything that's a bad deal," Trumka told reporters at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast roundtable. He warned Democrats against voting for any Super Committee plan that cuts Social Security and lets wealthy Americans off the hook by not raising their taxes. But voting no comes with consequences. If the committee gridlocks or passes a plan that fails in Congress, it will trigger $1.2 trillion in spending cuts split evenly between defense and domestic programs.

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Russ Feingold

Feingold To Press Dems To Abandon Any Unbalanced Super Committee Deal

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2011, 12:36PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), June 12, 2011.

Former Sen. Russ Feingold and his new group Progressives United are petitioning the six House and Senate Democrats serving on the joint deficit Super Committee to walk away if Republicans don't budge on tax increases, and insist on cutting entitlement benefits.

"If we don't get our policy priorities, Democrats need to be ready to walk away from the deal," Feingold emailed his supporters. "You can guarantee extremists on the other side will continue to push relentlessly to give even more to corporations and put even more of the burden on the middle class. We have to fight harder than they will."

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Wisconsin

Feingold: I Will Not Run For Public Office In 2012

Eric Kleefeld | August 19, 2011, 9:25AM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), June 12, 2011.

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who lost his seat after three terms in the 2010 Republican wave, has announced that he will not run for office in 2012 -- either in the race for state's open Senate seat, or in a potential recall against Gov. Scott Walker -- a development that could possibly lower the chances for success of the latter possibility, or the likelihood of a recall even occurring.

"This was a difficult decision, as I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure in both the State Senate and the U.S. Senate, and I know that progressives are eager to reverse some of the outrageous policies being pursued by corporate interests at both the state and federal levels," Feingold wrote in an e-mail to his supporters.

"I am also well aware that I have a very strong standing in the polls should I choose to run again for the U.S. Senate or in a recall election for governor. After twenty-eight continuous years as an elected official, however, I have found the past eight months to be an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective."

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Wisconsin Recalls

Poll: Wis. Voters Unsure On Walker Recall

Eric Kleefeld | August 16, 2011, 12:41PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Is it still possible for Wisconsin Democrats to recall Gov. Scott Walker, following their narrow failure last week to take control of the state Senate via recall elections? New survey numbers from Public Policy Polling (D) suggests that the answer is unclear -- and a lot would seemingly depend on whether they can recruit a top candidate, such as former Sen. Russ Feingold.

Walker's approval rating is still underwater, with 45% approval to 53% disapproval. However, a later question asked: "Would you support or oppose recalling Scott Walker from office before his term is up?" The answer was 47% support, to 50% oppose -- down slightly from a 50%-47% support margin in a PPP survey from late May, though both are within the margin of error.

However, Wisconsin recalls do not function as an up-or-down vote on the incumbent. Instead, if a number of people equal to 25% of the number of votes in the last gubernatorial election were to sign petitions (plus a buffer for disqualified signatures), then the election would be called. At that point, it would effectively become a special election, with the incumbent challenged by other candidates.

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Campaign Finance

Ron Johnson Ducks TPM Questions On His $10 Million Payday: 'It's A Private Company'

Benjy Sarlin and Susan Crabtree | June 28, 2011, 1:04PM

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Legal experts say that whether Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-WI) $10 million parting gift from his company potentially violates campaign laws depends on when it was negotiated. But asked by TPM to directly address the timing, Johnson repeatedly ducked the question.

Johnson's collected $10 million in deferred compensation from his former company, Pacur, a figure that Wisconsin papers have noted lines up conveniently with the $9 million he spent on his Senate campaign in 2010 against incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold. The freshman lawmaker has offered few details on how or when the company worked out the $10 million number, but legal experts told TPM that if the package was negotiated after his Senate run it could potentially count as an illegal corporate donation to his campaign.

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Allyson Schwartz

Top Dem: Maybe Democratic Super PACs Should Disclose Their Donors

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 23, 2011, 12:01PM

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), the DCCC official in charge of recruiting new Democrats to run for the House next year, isn't phased by warnings from former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) that Democrats bellying up to the Citizens United-created money trough next year could spell disaster for the party.

But at a breakfast meeting hosted by The Third Way think tank in Washington this morning, Schwartz suggested Democrats could take advantage of the fundraising afforded them by doing it a little differently.

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Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

DNC Chair: Sorry Russ, Dems Are All-In On Anonymous Campaign Funds

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 17, 2011, 3:20PM

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) laid out a passionate case for Democrats to stay away from so-called Super PACs in his keynote address at the Netroots Nation conference Thursday night. On Friday afternoon, Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz made it clear members of her party will not be heeding his advice.

"Progressives shouldn't be unilaterally disarming," she told TPM.

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Netroots Nation

Russ Feingold: Democratic Super PACs Are 'Dancing With The Devil'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 16, 2011, 10:21PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) took direct aim at a key part of the Democrats' 2012 electoral strategy during his keynote address at Netroots Nation here Thursday evening.

The Super PAC Priorities USA, which was founded by former Obama White House aides to collect and spend the unlimited corporate funds allowed under the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, and other Democratic Super PACs are nothing short of a disaster for the party, Feingold said.

"It's dancing with the devil," he told hundreds of liberal activists gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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Wisconsin Protests

Feingold Addresses Anti-Walker Protesters: 'We Will Not Stop Until We Win'

Eric Kleefeld | June 13, 2011, 10:17AM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), June 12, 2011.

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who was defeated for re-election in the 2010 Republican wave after three terms, has now begun to re-emerge into the public eye -- taking part in the protests against Republican Gov. Scott Walker that have been going on pretty much non-stop for the last few months at the state Capitol.

Earlier this month, the protests took their newest form with a tent city around the Capitol, dubbed "Walkerville" as a word-play on how shantytowns became known during the Great Depression as "Hoovervilles." As the Wisconsin State Journal reports, Feingold spoke on Sunday at a Walkerville event:

"Why are we in a place called Walkerville today?" he asked the energized crowd at the corner of State and West Mifflin streets, amid the tent village that sprang up earlier this month to protest the state budget bill and will remain through June 20 while lawmakers debate the bill.

"Because we will not stop until we win."

Feingold, who lost his seat in November to Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson, outlined necessary actions for the near future: taking back the majority in the state Senate and Assembly, and -- drawing big applause -- defeating Gov. Scott Walker, who he called a tool of the Republican party.

During the speech, chants of "run, Russ, run," could be heard, but Feingold didn't mention his own political future.

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Wisconsin

Feingold On Senate Or Gov Bid: 'I'm Looking At It'

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2011, 12:47PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who was defeated for re-election after three terms in the 2010 Republican wave, now says he is considering a possible comeback bid for the state's other Senate seat, from which Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl is retiring in 2012.

"I am looking at it, but I feel I should take some time to think this through," Feingold told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "For me the question right now is whether it's a good idea for me to go back into this sort of life."

Feingold said he would decide by Labor Day.

A recent survey from Public Policy Polling (D) found that Feingold would likely have a solid lock on the Democratic nomination, giving him a lead of 70%-12% over Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who is also considering a run. (Without Feingold in the race, Baldwin would start out with a plurality over a field of several other Democrats.)

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WI-SEN

PPP Poll: Feingold Way Ahead For WI-SEN Dem Nod, Thompson Could Face GOP Troubles

Eric Kleefeld | May 27, 2011, 3:00PM

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI) and former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

A new survey of Wisconsin from Public Policy Polling (D) finds that in the open Senate race, where Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl is retiring, former Sen. Russ Feingold could potentially have a lock on the Dem nomination if he wanted it -- but that former Gov. Tommy Thompson might face a competitive contest on the GOP side.

If Feingold were to run -- following his defeat for re-election after three terms, in the 2010 Republican wave -- the poll shows him starting out with a whopping 70% support in a Democratic primary, followed in a very distant second place of 12% by Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who has been eyeing the race, and several other names in single digits.

If Feingold did not run, Baldwin would start with 30%, followed by former Rep. Steve Kagen (who also lost in 2010) with 17%, Rep. Ron Kind with 16%, state Sen. Jon Erpenbach with 13%, and several others in single digits.

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Wisconsin

PPP Poll: Wisconsin Wants To Recall Walker -- And Put Dems In The State Senate

Eric Kleefeld | May 25, 2011, 2:15PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

A new survey of Wisconsin from Public Policy Polling (D) finds some good news for Democrats in their efforts to take control of the state Senate in the upcoming recall elections, in a backlash against Gov. Scott Walker's (R) anti-public employee union legislation: The state's voters want to recall Walker -- and they would rather have the Democrats in control of the state Senate, too.

The poll finds Walker with an approval rating of only 43%, with 54% disapproval. The poll also asked: "Would you support or oppose recalling Scott Walker from office before his term is up?" The result was support 50%, oppose 47%.

However, recalls in Wisconsin do not take the form of a yes-or-no question on the incumbent, but are effectively special elections pitting the incumbent against an opposing candidate. Thus, Walker was also tested in hypothetical match-ups against two potential Democratic nominees. Former Sen. Russ Feingold, who lost re-election after three terms in the 2010 Republican wave, leads Walker by 52%-42%. And Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee whom Walker defeated by a margin of 52%-47%, now leads Walker by 50%-43%.

"The enthusiasm for recalling Scott Walker is still there three months after the height of the protests in Wisconsin," writes PPP president Dean Debnam. "He'd be done if the vote was today, it's just a question of whether that desire to put him out can continue to be sustained in the coming months."

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WI-SEN

PPP Poll: Feingold Leads In WI-SEN Race, GOPer Thompson Only Close Against Other Dems

Eric Kleefeld | May 24, 2011, 12:40PM

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI) and former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

A new survey of the Wisconsin Senate race from Public Policy Polling (D), where Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl is retiring, gives the potential Democratic candidates consistent leads over any Republican who isn't named Tommy Thompson -- and even Thompson, the former four-term governor and Bush-era Health and Human Services Secretary, would face a close race.

Several different potential Democratic candidates were tested out against several Republicans, in a swing state that has become the center of a polarizing political debate over labor unions in the wake of Republican Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation.

"Russ Feingold's going to start out as a solid favorite if he wants to go back to the Senate," writes PPP president Dean Debnam. "His loss last year had less to do with him than the national political climate and because of Scott Walker's unpopularity things have shifted back toward the Democrats more quickly in Wisconsin than most other places."

The poll of registered voters was conducted from May 19-22, and has a ±2.4% margin of error.

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WI-SEN

Russ Feingold, Potential Senate Candidate, Rips Democrats For 'Corruption'

Benjy Sarlin | May 17, 2011, 12:48PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Ousted from the Senate in 2010, Russ Feingold, may have fewer Democratic friends to count on if he chooses to enter the race to replace retiring Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI). The progressive icon eviscerated his former colleagues in an e-mail for his advocacy group Progressive United on Tuesday, accusing two prominent Democrats of enabling "corruption" by opposing new transparency measures on political donations.

"This culture of corporate influence and corruption is precisely what we as Progressives United want to change," he wrote. "So we've decided to take on those legislators who are unwilling to stand up to corporate power, and we're naming names."

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2012 elections

Wis. Dem Chair: Russ Feingold, Tammy Baldwin Could Run For Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | May 13, 2011, 2:54PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

On a conference call with reporters just now, Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman Mike Tate predicted that the party would have one or more strong candidates in the race to succeed Dem Sen. Herb Kohl, who announced his retirement earlier on Friday. Indeed, Tate directly named some key potential candidates who are already looking at it, or might soon be doing so.

Chief among the names that Tate listed were former Sen. Russ Feingold, who lost re-election in the 2010 Republican wave after three terms in office, and seven-term Rep. Tammy Baldwin from Madison and the surrounding counties.

"I think the next 6-8 weeks are going be an important timeframe for people to at least make a decision about whether they're gonna run," Tate said.

"I've already spoken with some people this morning who indicated there are serious people thinking about getting in this race," Tate also added, saying that at least for Friday focus should be on Kohl himself and his record of serving the state.

When a reporter asked who Tate might have been talking to, or what names might have come up, Tate said there could be many great candidates. "Obviously Russ Feingold looms large if he were or were not to run again," Tate said. "And I've spoken to people very close to her that Tammy Baldwin is seriously considering running for the Senate seat."

Tate also said that people who might be looking at the race include Rep. Ron Kind, Milwaukee Mayor and 2010 gubernatorial nominee Tom Barrett, former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and biotechnology executive Kevin Conroy.

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Scott Walker

Poll: Russ Feingold Ties Gov. Scott Walker In Hypothetical Wisconsin Recall

Jon Terbush | April 25, 2011, 12:23PM

Russ Feingold and Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

A slim majority of Wisconsin voters don't support the idea of a recall election to oust Gov. Scott Walker (R), according to a new poll. That is, unless Russ Feingold is offered up as the challenger who could replace Walker in just such an election.

In a poll of registered voters conducted by Ethridge & Associates, 51% of respondents said they oppose recalling Walker, compared to 44% who said they supported doing so. However, a recall election would not be just a choice of keeping or booting Walker, but would pit Walker against a Democratic challenger. To test that dynamic, Ethridge paired Walker with progressive favorite former Sen. Russ Feingold, and found the two tied at 48%.

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Wisconsin

Feingold: 'Wisconsin's Citizens Will Hold Their Elected Officials Accountable'

Eric Kleefeld | March 10, 2011, 11:15AM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who was defeated in the same 2010 Republican wave that swept Scott Walker into the governor's mansion, has released a statement lambasting Wednesday night's surprise maneuver to pass Walker's anti-public employee union bill. And while Feingold does not directly address the big subject on a lot of people's minds -- the vows by state Democrats to recall Republican state senators this year and Walker himself next year -- he certainly does allude to the voters hitting back eventually.

"Last night will be remembered as a black mark on the history of Wisconsin government. The actions by 18 Republican state senators leave no doubt that Governor Walker's attack on Wisconsin workers has nothing to do with the budget and everything to do with advancing a national corporate agenda. Sadly, these actions further drive divisions within our state and threaten the future economic recovery of Wisconsin. Proponents of this plan should remember: Wisconsin's citizens will hold their elected officials accountable."

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WI-SEN

Poll: Democrats Poised To Keep Wisconsin Senate Seat In 2012

Jon Terbush | March 3, 2011, 9:06AM

Senator Herbert Kohl (D-WI) and Fmr. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Sen. Herb Kohl (D) is in solid position to hold his seat if he runs for reelection in 2012, according to a new PPP poll. But if he retires, as some observers believe he will, Democrats could still hold the seat if they nominate a progressive favorite in Kohl's place: former Sen. Russ Feingold.

Kohl and Feingold held strong leads over every Republican challenger thrown their way in the survey, making it seem at least for now like the GOP would have a tough time flipping another Wisconsin Senate seat.

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Russ Feingold

Feingold Calls On Walker To End His 'Assault On Wisconsin's Traditions'

Brian Beutler | February 23, 2011, 8:00AM

Russ Feingold

In an interview Tuesday night, former Wisconsin Democratic Senator Russ Feingold characterized Governor Scott Walker's crusade against public sector unions as an "assault on Wisconsin's traditions," and called on him to drop his bid to ban state and local workers from engaging in collective bargaining.

Feingold took particular issue with the threat Walker issued in his fireside chat Tuesday evening -- that if Democratic state senators don't return to Wisconsin and help him pass his legislation, thousands of state workers will lose their jobs.

"This is not about the budget at all this is about trying to destroy people's right to collectively bargain," Feingold told me. "If you begin with a dishonest approach...and begin making threats, it's a really an assault on Wisconsin's traditions. It's really something a new governor shouldn't be doing."

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Labor

New Wisconsin GOP Governor Pushes For Massive Rollback Of Worker Rights

Brian Beutler | February 11, 2011, 4:57PM

Scott Walker

Wisconsin's new Republican governor has set a new benchmark in fraying state-union relations in the wake of massive GOP victories in the November elections.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Scott Walker proposed stripping nearly all government workers of their collective bargaining rights. And as a warning shot across the bow, he told Wisconsin reporters Friday that he's alerted the National Guard ahead of any unrest, or in the event that state services are interrupted. Under his plan, which he'll include in his forthcoming budget proposal, most state workers would no longer be able to negotiate for better pensions or health benefits or anything other than higher salaries, which couldn't rise at a quicker pace than the Consumer Price Index.

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2010 elections

Feingold, Specter To Teach law

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2011, 12:41PM

Former Sens. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Arlen Specter (D-PA)

Two former U.S Senators who lost their seats in 2010 are landing on their feet -- they can no longer make the law, but they will now teach it in their home states.

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who was defeated in November by Republican Ron Johnson, is now going to be a visiting law professor at Marquette University. As the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

"I'm really excited about trying out some new things," the former Democratic senator said in an interview Wednesday, speaking in some detail about his future for the first time since he was defeated by Republican Ron Johnson in November. "I'm going to be very, very happy to be in Wisconsin almost full-time for the first time in many, many years."

It makes a lot of sense that Feingold would become a law professor back home, given the support he long enjoyed from students. Also, all those ethics laws he passed would probably make it hard for him ever get a job on K Street.

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2010 elections

The Goodbyes Of 2010: Politicians Who Are Going Home

Eric Kleefeld | December 31, 2010, 1:52PM

Russ Feingold

As the year 2010 comes to a close and the year 2011 begins, it's time to look back on some of the politicians who are leaving office because of defeat, retirement, or the strange spaces that seem to fall in between.

These are folks who had a presence on the political scene, either long or short, but who have made their marks in different ways on the political consciousness in their arrivals, their service and their ultimate departures.

As is the fashion with these sorts of lists we do around here, the folks we've chosen to highlight include the folks that we and you, our readers, think of as being great -- and others who are so bad that they're good. Of course, there are plenty of departing pols who aren't here. This is just a sampling.

So goodbye to 2010, and goodbye to these politicians. But who knows, perhaps we'll be seeing some of them again, soon.

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John McCain

McCain Praises Feingold On Senate Floor: This 'Will Be A Much Poorer Place Without' Him

Jillian Rayfield | December 1, 2010, 8:42AM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Outgoing Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) received a heap of praise from a Senate colleague with whom he had an unlikely partnership. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) praised Feingold, who lost his election to Republican Ron Johnson: "I have to confess I think the Senate will be a much poorer place without Russ Feingold in it."

"I know that in my next term I will experience fewer occasions of inspiration because of the departure of Russ Feingold, a man whose courage and dedication to the principles that guided his Senate service often inspired me," McCain said.

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WI-SEN

The End Of A Progressive Champion: Russ Feingold Loses To Ron Johnson

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2010, 10:42PM

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Fmr. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

As the Republican wave spreads across the country, it's time to say goodbye to one of the big-name progressive champions of the past 18 years: Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), champion of campaign finance reform and longtime opponent of the Patriot Act, has gone down in defeat against Republican businessman Ron Johnson. It marks the first time since 1986 that Republicans have won a Senate race here.

With 30% of precincts reporting, Johnson leads by 57%-42%, and has been projected as the winner by NBC News and Fox News.

Feingold won his first term with 53% of the vote in 1992, defeating incumbent two-term Republican Sen. Bob Kasten. He had started out in that race as a seemingly third-place underdog in the Democratic primary, but then won the primary with only 70% after after the two other candidates attacked He was then re-elected narrowly with 51% in 1998 against GOP Rep. Mark Neumann, then expanded that margin to 55% in 2004 against businessman Tim Michels. But the bad economy and the Republican tide this year were clearly too much to overcome.

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Russ Feingold

Dem Sources Hold Out Hope For Feingold

Brian Beutler | November 2, 2010, 9:00PM

Russ Feingold

Two Democratic sources tell TPM that their exit poll data shows Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) either tied with or down by the thinnest of margins against his Republican challenger Ron Johnson.

A senior Dem source says one exit poll has them down by a point. The other has it dead even.

Customary notes of caution about exit polls apply, and, of course, these are Democratic sources pulling for their candidate. But the early data is clearly closer than they expected they would be.

2010 elections

Senate In The Balance: TPM's Look At The 9 Key Races Still Up For Grabs

Eric Kleefeld | November 1, 2010, 5:06PM

Clockwise from top left: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

As we head into Election Day, one thing is clear for Senate Democrats: It's going to be bad. Seriously. There's no going anywhere but down. But how far down?

It's unlikely that Democrats will manage to lose their majority outright, since they're starting at the high mark of 59 seats. But things sure look rough. Open seats in Indiana and North Dakota seem to be gone already, along with incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas. Republican seats that seemed like potential Dem pickups much earlier in the cycle -- North Carolina and open seats in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Ohio -- are clearly out of reach.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Stranger Than Fiction? TPM Casts The 2010 Midterms Movie]

The few bright spots for Democrats are open seats in Connecticut and Delaware, where very weak Republican candidates Linda McMahon and Christine O'Donnell have spared the Dems from total humiliation. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some other key races to watch tomorrow.

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WI-SEN

Polls: Feingold Continues To Trail Johnson

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2010, 10:50AM

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Senate candidate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Two new polls of the Wisconsin Senate race confirm that Republican businessman Ron Johnson leads three-term Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold. And though the Democrat has gained some ground, Feingold is still stuck in the mid-40s.

The new survey from Public Policy Polling (D): Johnson 53%, Feingold 44%. The survey of likely voters has a ±2.6% margin of error. In the previous poll from mid-September, Johnson led by 52%-41%.

And the We The People survey, a consortium of media interests in Wisconsin: Johnson 48%, Feingold 44%. The survey of likely voters has a ±5% margin of error. In the previous survey from early October, Johnson led by 49%-41%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Johnson a lead of 51.8%-44.6%.

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WI-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Johnson Leads By 7 Points Against Russ Feingold

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 12:41PM

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Senate candidate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Wisconsin Senate race shows Republican businessman Ron Johnson continuing to lead Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

The numbers: Johnson 53%, Feingold 46%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Johnson led by a similar margin of 52%-45%.

This particular poll would seem to suggest that Johnson's recent gaffes -- his multiple admissions that he doesn't actually have any detailed policy proposals, only a general conservative philosophy -- have not made changed the race very much.

The TPM Poll Average gives Johnson 52.3%, Feingold 44.9%.

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Ron Johnson

Mailer Supporting Johnson Warns Government Will Ban Hunting Ammunition

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 11:16AM

Candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

A political mailer sent to voters in support of Wisconsin Senate candidate Ron Johnson (R) plays on unfounded conservative fears that Democrats will outlaw hunting ammunition.

"It will be hard to hunt when ammo is banned," the mailer reads.

An image of the flier was sent along by a reader, who found it disingenuous. And indeed, groups that support gun bans don't exactly count the Obama administration as an ally.

"Anti-hunting extremists groups are trying to force the federal government to ban traditional hunting ammunition," it reads. "And they just may succeed.... Choose Ron Johnson on November 2. Ron Johnson will lead the fight against the anti-hunting extremists to protect your right to hunt."

The mailer was paid for by Safari Club International's PAC, based in Tucson, AZ.

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WI-SEN

Feingold Ad: Ron Johnson Is A Blank Whiteboard (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 12:40PM

From a Feingold campaign ad, "Whiteboard"

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has a new ad against his Republican opponent Ron Johnson, slamming Johnson's multiple admissions that he does not have detailed policy proposals. The ad depicted Johnson's non-existent plans as a blank whiteboard, which ultimately collapses to the floor.

"Ron Johnson has spent a lot of money on TV ads. But he won't tell you what his plans are," the announcer says. "When he was asked what his plan was to create jobs, he didn't have one. When he was asked what spending he would cut, he said he wouldn't play that game. The fact is, Mr. Johnson has no plans. He says his true feelings can take voice after the election. When times are tough, who do you trust to stand up for us?"

The TPM Poll Average gives Johnson a lead of 51.7%-44.4%.

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WI-SEN

Feingold Airs Ad Touting Support From Vets After Johnson Gaffe

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2010, 11:40AM

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Impeccable timing: The Russ Feingold campaign will today begin airing the below ad touting his support from veterans.

Why's the timing impeccable?

Because just yesterday, his Republican opponent, Ron Johnson got tripped up when asked to describe his view of the government's role in helping homeless veterans.

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WI-SEN

Ron Johnson On Homeless Vets: This Election Isn't About Details [VIDEO]

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2010, 9:34AM

Wisconsin's Republican Senate hopeful Ron Johnson got tripped up on a point of policy during a recent interview: Asked what the Department of Veteran's Affairs' responsibility is to homeless veterans, Johnson declared that his election fight against Sen. Russ Feingold is not "about details."

"Certainly the people that step up to the plate to answer that call -- they are a top priority in terms of spending. So we do need a strong VA system. We need to support those folks as long as they need support," Johnson said.

The moderator pressed Johnson -- a government skeptic -- to explain exactly how the government should respond to the issue of homeless vets. "Are there specific things that you think need to happen within that galaxy of services, perhaps, that the VA has some responsibility for or other organizations that would help homeless veterans?"

Johnson responded, flummoxed.

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WI-SEN

Ron Johnson: I'm Applying For The Job Of Senator -- I Don't Need Details

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2010, 4:34PM

Candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Businessman Ron Johnson, the Republican nominee in the Wisconsin Senate race, seems to have had another fun moment this morning -- declaring at a candidate forum that he doesn't have to have details on policy.

As WisPolitics reports:

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Ron Johnson said this morning he doesn't have specific details on how to solve the nation's issues, instead comparing himself to a promising job candidate who has the potential to learn on the job.

...

"I don't believe this election is about details. I really don't," Johnson said. "I've met with people in 60 counties and done 500 personal events, and my approach is to convey to people who I am, explain my manufacturing background, and then as honestly as I can, let people know what my philosophy is."

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WI-SEN

Wisconsin Paper Endorses Feingold After Johnson Deer-In-Headlights Moment

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2010, 2:25PM

Russ Feingold

That didn't take long. The Wisconsin newspaper that had Republican Senate hopeful Ron Johnson at a loss for words over how to help the middle class has just endorsed his opponent, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI). What's more, the paper cites stumping Johnson as a key driver of their decision.

"Oshkosh businessman and political newcomer Ron Johnson, also has voiced his support for spending controls and fiscal responsibility in Washington," the endorsement reads. "His plan for righting the U.S. economy, however, comes across as one-note: establish a hard spending cap, reduce government interference and allow businesses to flourish."

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Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson Freezes When Asked For His Plan To Help Middle Class

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2010, 12:15PM

Candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Wisconsin Republican Senate hopeful Ron Johnson had a deer-in-headlights moment in a recent interview with the Green Bay Press Gazette.

Asked to explain his jobs plan, Johnson banged away at the GOP mantra: cutting spending, regulation, etc. That didn't satisfy the editors.

"There's no real jobs plan?" one interviewer asked.

"I would say bring fiscal discipline to the federal government," Johnson replied. "We've got to curb spending."

That didn't satisfy his interviewers.

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Ron Johnson

TPM Takes A Closer Look At Ron Johnson's Business Success

Brian Beutler | October 15, 2010, 9:11AM

Candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Ron Johnson's campaign for Wisconsin Senate is premised largely on the notion that he's a successful businessman who knows how to create jobs.

Johnson owns a plastics company called PACUR in Oshkosh, WI. According to a recent report by the business research firm Investext, PACUR enjoyed estimated annual sales of $36 million, and employeed 100 people in 2009. His spokeswoman, Sara Sendek says it's a bit bigger than that -- about 120 employees.

With unemployment sky high, Johnson's been able to capitalize, politically, on his success, and has been leading his opponent, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), in the polls since July. "I'm not a politician," Johnson says in a recent ad. "I'm an accountant and a manufacturer. I know how to balance a budget, and I do know how to create jobs.'

However, Johnson's usually mum about the fact that one of his largest clients is Bemis, a publicly traded company founded by his now-deceased father in law, and currently run by his brother in law, Jeffrey Curler.

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Health Care

Bucking The Trend? Dems In Tough Races Run On Vote For Health Care Reform (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2010, 9:10AM

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT)

The conventional wisdom suggests that Democrats are "running scared" from health care reform. But the truth is that most Democrats have nothing to be afraid of -- and those who do, by and large, voted against it. Of course, some of the vulnerable Dems who voted for the bill are happy to avoid the subject. But a surprising number are running on reform, in ads, op-eds, and debates in their states and districts.

While it's true that a number of the most conservative and vulnerable Dems are outwardly repudiating their party's leadership, Speaker Pelosi herself yesterday sought to set the record straight on Democratic pride in reform.

"It's important to note -- and I say this all the time -- the plural of anecdote is not data," she told reporters. "At least 200 members are out there boasting the benefit of the health care bill. At least. There may be some who did vote for the bill who are not talking it up -- they didn't vote for it. There are others who are soft peddling it, maybe, because other issues are working for them better. "

Below the top five examples of Democrats turning the CW on its head.

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