Posted on 12/01/2010 4:09:27 PM PST by rabscuttle385
For a brief moment on Tuesday the Senate floor did not feel like part of one of the most partisan Congresses in history. With much of the lame-duck legislation mired in gridlock, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reached across the aisle to recognize a pillar of liberalism: the departing Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis.
In doing so, McCain praised Feingold for his steadfast commitment to his beliefs -- a trait McCain has recently been accused of abandoning.
“In his time in the Senate, Russ Feingold, every day and in every way, had the courage of his convictions,” McCain said. “Though I am quite a few years older … I confess I have always felt he was my superior in that cardinal virtue.”
McCain, once known as the maverick of the Senate for his willingness to rebuff his party, has been dubbed something of a flip-flopper more recently. During the campaign leading up to his reelection earlier this month, McCain aligned himself more closely with the GOP on a number of issues, including the fence along the Mexican border; the military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy on gays in the military; and the need for climate change legislation. He adamantly denied shifting positions.
McCain infuriated leaders of his party -- most notably, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, now the Senate minority leader, when he and Feingold partnered to enact the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, legislation designed to eliminate so-called "soft" money -- contributions unregulated by federal donation limits -- and to identify the sponsors of political ads.
McCain said he was particularly impressed with how Feingold stuck by his principles to not take soft money, even when backed into a corner.
“We were both up for reelection in 1998. I had an easy race. Russ had a difficult one," McCain recalled. "Russ's opponent in 1998 was outspending him on television, and the race became tighter. It reached a point where most observers, Democrats and Republicans, expected him to lose. The Democratic Party pleaded with Russ to let it spend soft money on his behalf. Russ refused.
"He risked his seat, the job he loved, because his convictions were more important to him than any personal success. I think he is one of the most admirable people I’ve ever met in my life.”
McLAME, Your a DORK.
Arizona will forever live in shame for having reelected this POS!
Big surprise there. Stinking RINO!
Seeing Feingold lose was a great feeling here in WI. It also means that Herb Kohl is vulnerable in 2012.
Yep. King Log is next.
I don’t see any need to go negative. McCain is a Democrat and we all know it. Him boohooing over Feingold is just one more indication of where his true loyalties lie.
I for one, don’t want people seeing this guy and thinking he only misses one once in a while. He’s heart and soul in the Democrat camp 90% of the time.
Can’t say that or reveal that enough IMO.
The START comments are atrocious. That’s for sure.
PLICK!
Wasn’t that great? One hilarious aspect of Feingold’s loss was seeing satirical bumper stickers in Madison that visually mimiced the actual Feingold stickers, only they read:”Foolsgold”.
On another thread here in FR we’ve got a lot of posters praising George Bush for having “class” for his praising of Obama.
Let’s be consistent, people. If George Bush “reaching across the aisle” shows class... so does John McCain doing it.
he was superior in “That” virtue John....and “we the People responded....
But don't worry...you're next....
So no McCain doesn't get a pass
mccain and lieberman used to look like they’re married.
While we honor our war heroes, John McPain has overstayed his welcome. Please, Lord, punch his ticket and maybe Gov. Jan Brewer will appoint a real conservative to that senate seat.
He is just another pro-war Democrat like Scoop Jackson. Not many left, but he is one of them.
Met he and his wife. True spoiled elites that don’t want us in their club.
Hey John, how is your ex-wife that you dumped for that rich bitch from Hensley Distributing?
You missed my point. I’m not saying McCain should get a pass. I’m talking to those here in FR who praised Bush for praising Obama and asking them to see that using their logic we should all praise McCain.
I don’t want to praise anybody, except true conservatives. And Bush and McCain are both so far away from being true conservatives that they might as well be walking hand-in-hand down Bipartisan Avenue together.
When Bush praised Obama, many Freepers called it “classy”. My only point is that they should be consistent and call McCain “classy” for praising Feingold.
Surely you don’t think that Feingold, for all his faults, is worse than Obama.
Sorry, two pieces of chit like Feingold and McCain should have both been put in prison for even proposing McCain - Feingold.
And Obama? (The object of Bush’s praise.)
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