I just returned from an event in Madison, WI where we were celebrating Sen. Russ Feingold's 25th year in politics. Cutely dubbed "Feinsilver," the event was held at a restaurant called Sardine, aptly named for the crowded event.
Spoiler alert: For any Milwaukee people who may be attending the same event later this evening, what is written beneath the fold will be a spoiler for you so stop reading now.
Disclaimer: I did not take notes so everything is paraphrased. Indeed, I wasn't able to take notes. I was a sardine. I can find no links yet. If this turns out to be in error (it won't; I was there), I will delete the diary.
The Madison event was scheduled from 3:30 to 5:00 CST. About 4:15, Senator Feingold said a few words. He mentioned all the things that had been accomplished in Washington, emphasizing that not everything that's taking place is bad news. He spoke of how far we had to go. He named a few key issues, such as ending the Iraq occupation, which he pledged to continue raising as an issue.
He then spoke about the immediate issue of the Attorney General confirmation. Senator Feingold spoke of his meetings with Mr. Mukasey. He revealed some of their dialogue and stated how impressed he was with the knowledge and background that Mr. Mukasey possessed.
Senator Feingold then went onto describe that his impression of Mr. Mukasey was impacted when Mr. Mukasey was returned to the Committee to testify that he could not place limits on "executive power" and was unwilling to define how far a president could go in spying on American citizens, torture or twisting the Constitution.
Bottom line, Senator Russ Feingold announced:
I will not support Mr. Mukasey's nomination.
Please send Senator Feingold some sugar.