Russ Feingold, time to put on your running shoes. You've had a two year rest, now time to get back into the game. You will win and you are needed.

Perhaps Paul Ryan will run. Let's keep Ryan's plan to kill medicare front and center. That would be a debate Russ would love to have.

Run Russ Run!

Not surprisingly, my friends, that rumor is already in play here.

One can only hope.

Where's William Proxmire when you need him. We need someone with his wit and wisdon in this day and age. Bring back the Golden Fleece Awards!

Why would you think that, Feisty? I mean, the good people of Wisconsin just dumped a boatload of Dems because they bankrupted the state. Walker is doing exactly what the voters elected him to do, so why would they turn around and vote him out. Also, what the hell do gubernatorial policies have to do with a senatorial race?

Feisty is as partisan as they get. She will trash any republican before even knowing where they stand on particular issues- yes it's true, not all republicans fit into the same mold.

Walker is doing exactly what the voters elected him to do, so why would they turn around and vote him out.

No, he's not. He ran on balancing the budget but he never ran on the things he's proposing now. Otherwise, why are people so upset? Are you so blind that you can't figure out that simple fact?

Walker is doing exactly what the voters elected him to do, so why would they turn around and vote him out.

Walker never ran on collective bargaining.

Additionally, it's hard to support a Governor who ran around claiming the budget for the next two years was terrible. Months later, we in Wisconsin just found out he underestimated state revenue by $636 million.

Maybe some states don't think a $636 million mistake is big, but here in Wisconsin, that's called incompetent.

After the embarrassment of the COWARD 14; Dems are pretty much done in the beautiful state of WI.

Whatever david. That would be contrary to public sentiment.

David ~ If you want to talk about cowardice, try the state legislature's current movement toward redistricting before the upcoming recall elections.

Why would they need to do that, do you think?

If you can't win fair and square, then cheat. Be proud to support that.

Redistricting AM? Come on every party in power always goes there. They do it because they can. Take a look at the whacky districts in Cali - Dems control, dems re-draw.

I just don't see Fiengold running. He just got smoked by an newbie. The libbies have Madison, but come on Prosser just won, "Sleeper" awake or not.

I kinda think Kohl saw the handwriting on the wall and gets that it's all going conservative based on financial concerns.

But we'll see, right AM?

Dan-3126637

Walker never ran on collective bargaining.

Very true, but to anyone here in Wisconsin who was paying attention to how he worked with the Milwaukee County unions as County Supervisor, it should not be a suprise to anyone.

david-1102226

After the embarrassment of the COWARD 14; Dems are pretty much done in the beautiful state of WI. It will go down as a model of why ALL states are better off to go CONSERVATIVE.

Enough signatures were collected to put 6 Republicans are up for recall, enough signatures were collected to put only 3 Democrats up for recall.

And now back to the actual topic at hand...US SENATE (not state senate)...

Very true, but to anyone here in Wisconsin who was paying attention to how he worked with the Milwaukee County unions as County Supervisor, it should not be a suprise to anyone.

Well, there's you and there's me, but the rest of the crowd was apparently NOT paying attention. It's our own fault, and that's a fact.

as always

stupid is as stupid does

Redistricting AM? Come on every party in power always goes there. They do it because they can. Take a look at the whacky districts in Cali - Dems control, dems re-draw.

Sure, in a normal situation, everyone expects it, although Tom Delay certainly should be cited among those who brought re-districting to a new ethical low, for which he will soon be doing hard time.

But in a recall situation, don't you think it only makes sense to let the SAME districts vote in the recall that voted in the general election? Isn't that the morally correct thing to do? Otherwise, you are disenfranchising a lot of people.

But then, again, disenfranchisement seems to be a general republican strategy, as long as it can be confined to democrats.

All's fair in your world, I guess, just as long as it comes out your way. Well, just don't forget that what goes around comes around.

And karma, as they say ....

spider-737231

Why would you think that, Feisty? I mean, the good people of Wisconsin just dumped a boatload of Dems because they bankrupted the state. Walker is doing exactly what the voters elected him to do, so why would they turn around and vote him out. Also, what the hell do gubernatorial policies have to do with a senatorial race?

walker came into office with a 120 million dollar budget surplus it took him one month to create a budget deficit last time i checked walker is a republican so you are either an intentional liar or a ignorant partisan that repeats party propaganda because it fits your civil view and justifies your hatred for the other party

And the sycophants continue to respond to the resident troglodyte. Now where is the cut and paste from the ameba, Bev the self-proclaimed racist from Chicago? Or Sally, the MSNBC site moderator who refuses to identify those who violate the rule of the site on a daily, and hourly basis.

GO FOR IT TROGLODYTE!

I can't believe how the left miscontrues all data. Governor Walker did not come in with a surplus, the $120 million did not include a variety things as outlined here,

$258 million in unpaid bills or expected shortfalls in programs such as Medicaid services for the needy ($174 million alone), the public defender’s office and corrections. Additionally, the state owes Minnesota $58.7 million under a discontinued tax reciprocity deal.

The result, by our math and Lang’s, is the $137 million shortfall.

It would be closer to the $340 million figure if the figure included the $200 million owed to the state’s patient compensation fund, a debt courts have declared resulted from an illegal raid on the fund under former Gov. Jim Doyle

Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/02/19/rachel-maddow-exposed-lying-about-wisconsin-having-budget-surplus#ixzz1MGUUHyAL

In addition, it tis the Democrats in Milwaukee that are redistricting now that Walker is out to punish the republicans.

Also the $636 million was not a mistake by Walker, it was revised numbers by improved tax collections as reported by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Please stop drinking the koolaid and get your facts strait. It is tough to be in the minority, get used to it. We that pay taxes are tired of the giveaways.

My way, your way - that's the fun about re-district - here today, in a different district tomorrow.

You saying the dems have never redistricted before a recall? Really?

California, progressive paradise, remember?

Send us your money, we need it. It's starting to get warm and the damn lifeguards want their money.

All Eyes on Wisconsin for 2012. Boy are the people in that state going to get tired of political adds.

The only reason that I could see Ryan jumping into a race against Feingold is if Ryan knows he can't win his own House seat back, and if he knows anything, he probably knows that. So I'd consider it probable.

And I'm smiling.

After the fiasco of Walker, Feingold or another sane Democrat should have little trouble keeping that seat. The people of Wis. are wide awake and ready to do battle.

Anna Molly:

I'm smiling with you.

Didn't the "wide awake and ready" folk just lose to Prosser?

So are they even more fired up now?

Anymore big union rallys happening around there lately to get them more fired up?

Spanky, the Dems and Independants managed to get all 6 targeted state Senators on the recall elections in July, the Repubs effort to get three Dems recalled, not so much. The Rethugs way over stepped their boundry and we are bringing sanity back to Wis. And it ain't the tea baggers.

And on a further note from Wis., in today's Capitol Times of Madison, article about Walker, after turning down the $810 million for high speed rail and a new maitenance bldg., Walker requested $150 mil. for the trains and bldg. in Milwaukee. Seems the city of Milwaukee really wanted and needed that train. Now Walker says Sec. of Trans. La Hood, is picking on him because he turned the original money down. It would be funny, if not so sad. How many jobs did you cost the people of Wis. with that little power stunt? La Hood gave the money to the states who are coming into the 21st. century.

"Needed that train."

That's a good one. Too bad they can't pay for that train, but I know, that's the libbie way.

michelle ain't nobody gonna be getting any silly trains. They will never get off the ground, just wait and see. Or should I say, just wait for all the silly lawsuits about this and that to get filed and jam it all up.

Spanky, we won't be getting any trains until the Rethugs get out of the way of progress, or we push them out of the way.

It is so damn quaint that for you and the libbies, trains are progress.

Pssst. it's 2011. Trains were the bomb in the 19th century.

But hey, and by all means, push, push away. Seems like all that pushing is not working out so well for you right now. Or did the re-count come in and Prosser lost? No? Yeah, I didn't think so.

He was duly elected and has been supported by the majority to try and bring the states budget into line

Compliments of the Koch Brothers...

Say, have you heard about the recalls for these 'duly' elected clowns?

Appears the VOTERS want a refund!

You don't know what you're talking about. Kohl is an independently wealthy businessman (Kohl's Department stores belonged to his family), who owns an NBA franchise and doesn't need the job to make a living, nor does he need special interest money. While I've never agreed with him on everything, you always knew one thing, and that was that Herb Kohl couldn't be bought.

Whatever he has done has been because he thought it was the right thing to do. He's the exact sort of "career politician" that we ought to have.

He was duly elected and has been supported by the majority to try and bring the states budget into line.

Yes, he's so confident of that that the legislature is busy trying to redistrict before the upcoming recall elections.

Again, you don't know what you're talking about. Walker did NOT run on the platform he has since proposed. That's just one of his lies. He would never have been elected on that platform, and he wouldn't be re-elected on it now.

Feisty: And Obama was duly elected by Soros and his connections to over 30 news outlets. Yes there are recalls called for but surely you know unless any criminal activity took place it ain't gonna happen.

Feisty: And Obama was duly elected by Soros

You know you've won the argument when all they have left is the 'Soros' card! LMAO

Better study up there Jimmy, the recalls are REAL and going to HAPPEN whether you want to believe it or not!

PS: President Obama won the election partially through the hard work of me and millions of others who worked our a@@'s off!

And we'll be out there doing in again in 2012!

I'm curious, Jim...as a United States Senator, what did you expect Sen. Kohl to do about the budget for the state of Wisconsin?

Don't be too sure, Jimmy, unless the criminal activity happens DURING the elections, which I would surely not put past a governor who has already admitted considering such activity during the recent demonstrations. And especially with some highly suspect Supreme Court race results.

Fiesty: 1st I did not say the recall petitions were not real. Just that the likely hood of them going through is slim. Da Noid: I never mentioned anything about Kohl and WI's state budget. Only the fact that he is a career politician and I think we need fresh blood. Younger and more in tune with the American voters. I think McCain should leave. Geeez the man is 78. Anna: No I don't put anything past a politician. But, suspect and fact are far apart.

I love this free cheap entertainment! You people make me laugh. Thanks. What a great treat for a dreary day here in WI. You die hard Republicans and die hard Democrats are fools. Like watching a debate between Red Sox and Yankees fans. The other side sucks and has no credible ideas. Well, you're all wrong! Both sides suck, and each one can't wait until they're in charge to screw the people for themselves. It's a shame. No wonder there is such apathy toward politics and low voter turn outs. Shame on you for not having an open mind, except for the really big hole that whines and howls whenever the political winds blow. As an independent voter, I respected Sen. Herb Kohl a great deal. I kringed when he was first elected, because I don't believe that millionaires should be allowed to "represent the people". However I found Sen. Kohl to truly have the people of Wisconsin and the United States in his mind when he would vote. He never seemed to me to be in it to maintain the status quo to keep or increase his wealth. His charitable work also has been forthright and magnanimous, giving scholarships and honoring excellent teachers. Thank you Senator Kohl for your service. I hope whoever is elected to replace you (Democrat or Republican) has the same integrity you've given the people of Wisconsin.

guess what Jim792457 ... so was Adolph

Exactly so, mrk. The work with teachers, especially, merits praise. He also, out of the blue and without any deep connections to it, gave the principal gift that funded the building of a new Field House at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an unselfish philanthropist as well as an honest politician.

As for blind partisanship, I take serious issue with your self-aggrandizing remarks. People who call themselves independent so that they can sit on the fence and claim it's useless to try because everything is rotten are no better than partisan hacks. That's nothing to pat yourself on the back for.

But at least you understand the value of a Herb Kohl.

Anna you obviously missed the point. The constant bickering back and forth between you blow hard democrats and the blow hard republicans are doing nothing to solve the issues and it never will.

Think for yourself once in a while! Like true independents do. We don't need somebody to lead us by the hand.

Anna Molly-

I apologize if my comment implied that I was fence straddler who has raised the white flag. I agree that those who do not vote and complain about government are probably more pathetic than card carrying party members. I have not given up, and I vote every chance I can, having missed only a handful of elections in the last 20 years. What I'm sick and tired with are the "we're better than you" back and forth comments that do nothing but generate resentment and wasted words. They do nothing constructive and are shameful to the credible politicians both Democrat and Republican who strive to solve the problems we face. Some are even from IL, and unless they move here soon, do not even have the right to vote in this particular contest.

But, suspect and fact are far apart.

LoL I notice you ignored the part about Walker admitting that he considered sending goons into the demonstration crowds to start trouble. I "suspect" that makes Walker not much different from President Mubarak in Egypt, or President Assad in Syria, or Moamar Khaddafi in Libya. Like Mubarak, the only thing that restrained Walker was public opinion. Birds of a feather, I'd say.

If you want to support a guy like that, then be sure to do it proudly, and openly, so we can all see what you stand for. Like those guys in Indiana who urged him to use "live ammunition" and to stage violence on himself so he would have an excuse to use violence on the crowds.

You know, strong republican law and order values. Embrace them, why don't you?

bob:

Think for yourself once in a while!

Don't be disingenuous. I think for myself all the time, and what's more you know it.

What an authoritarian REALLY means when he says think for yourself is, "think like me." Never.

@mrk ~ No apologies necessary. Clarification appreciated. Thank you.

Bev - LMAOF

Um Bev, LMAOF = Lit My A$$ On Fire. I think you meant LMAO = Laughing My A$$ Off.

And the troglodyte and her sycophants still have this Koch fixation. I see the ameba comment has been collapsed.....and where is Sally the Moderator to view this comment about the poster being a Koch sucker? Isn't this a violation Sally the liberal moderator?

If not, why does MSNBC pay you for your inability to demonstrate consideration?

Unlike the fixation on one man "Soros"................

You are so big on whining and name calling, it's no wonder no one respects or take you seriously.

kr-2875346...

I can't remember the last time the Dems controlled the conversation, even with a super majority. You're point is spot on though.

If dems can control the Koch brothers money, they might be safe, but I wouldn't count on it.

It will depend heavily on the candidate and what else is considered important in this state at that time next year. It will also depend on how strong President Obama's coattails are in 2012.

Obama's coat tails will be very strong.... bet on it.

Actually the really big news here is that Rick rammed his tax cut for business and tax increase on seniors through the State Senate with an assist from the Lt. Governor.

Kwame is a total embarrassment to the entire state and if, and that is a big if, he gets out he still has federal charges pending. I say let Texas have him maybe we can throw in Rick and a few other Tea Baggers while were at it!

Yes, they're jamming them home while they still have jobs. Something to be proud of, but then, that's about your level.

In Wisconsin, our integrity-challenged governor's new scheme is to redistrict before the upcoming legislative recall elections. If you can't win fair and square .... But I suppose you think that's just fine.

It's always easy to know people by the ideas and values they associate themselves with.

Anna, Im sorry but I highly doubt any of these reps will be recalled! The problem is that both the Rep and the Dems are the minority! And its Us Independents who get to choose. And yes I have voted Democratic several times in my life . Both Mr Carter and M. Clinton, however at this time I am firmly center to right and support what the Rep. Gov. have been doing. I live in Detroit and I mean IN Detroit! I see way too much of this free money give away on! On any given day i can walk to the grocery store or go to the downtown and see people selling "bridge cards" for 50% of their value so they can go buy Cigs and booze!

What you don't know about Wisconsin would fill volumes. The districts where some of these seats are in play were blue in 2008, so they're soft, and Walker has single-handedly created a whole new group of democrats out of people who used to call themselves independent, or even republicans, like firefighters and police officers, and a lot of teachers. Besides, this recall isn't just about unions -- it's about the entire Walker budget, which impacts many people negatively, including farmers, the elderly, and the poor. There's a lot more in play here than you have any idea of.

How Detroit is relevant to this discussion escapes me, but what the heck do YOU do about it, anyway, and EXACTLY how do you think that strangling the cities more and taking away all local control of government will help? What's your proposal to clean it up? Cupping my hand to my ear, I hear none.

Admit it. You believe that what's happening in Michigan will line your pockets, and I've already seen that this is pretty much all you worry about. But it won't solve any long-term problems.

Simply not impressed.

Jolly, So is Rick going to destroy MI like he did Gateway?

Is Feisty running? WTF?

Another idiotic statement from the lunatic fringe.

Wrong state.

Honestly, Rocco -- that's disgusting, but again, about par for you. Be proud.

By the way, I'm usually adamantly against hiding comments, but I've voted to hide all three of the comments above me. This isn't junior high school.

Rocco, Feisty is entitled to her own opinion with out being called names. I dont like it from the lefts side so I certainly dont like it from the right! While I dont agree with her, she has a right to her opinions!

Anna, I was defending Feisty. But I guess it was a tad bit juvenile to stoop to the penguin's level. I still think he is part of the lunatic fringe along with his pal Rocco.

Jollyoldhypocrit,

Really,Really Fiesty(along with Louis) is the most hateful,rascist,spiteful Liberal poster on this thread day in and day out so cut us all a break and quit defending the shrew...Yes , she is entitled to her own opinion even if they are pathetic useless rants and attacks against anyone who doesnt agree with her...If you are going to take up for someone I sure in hell wouldnt pick her.

Sorry, devie, I realized that afterwards; it just looked for a minute like you were aiding and abetting them. My apologies.

While I dont agree with her, she has a right to her opinions!

Thank you jolly, for reminding us, we ALL have a right to our opinions!

I even voted for ya! ;o)

WHO would of ever THOUGHT? lol

@ Devie - Great BIG thanks to you as well! Much appreciated!

Red- when they resort to calling you an 'ass-pimple', you know you are doing a good job! Keep up the good work of making the righites even MORE angry than they are each and every day!

DBO:

What do you know. If someone calls her an ass pimple; then she is just that, an ass pimple.

You are not too far behind her either.

No ITM, I think that's just a little insight for the rest of us what it's like to be Drive By. Poor guy.

Gosh with standards and apirations like that Drive By, you must really lead a fantastic life. Oh My!

It's funny how the ones who are complaining about Feisty, are the ones with the nastiest statements and name calling. I suppose you all are competing with each other for the nastiest person on the vine. Attacking Feisty is just your way of trying to draw attention to yourselves.

Typical Republicans/Tea party, always trying to make a name for themselves on the shoulders of women.

Feisty is a woman?

Prove it.

lol......come on! Some slack!

Does it help your calculus to know that Feingold's replacement's approval rating is about 35 percent, while President Obama is at about 52 percent, and Scott Walker is at 46 percent?

http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Poll_Obamas_Wis_Approval_Rating_Up_to_52_Percent_120411194.html

Does it make any difference to know that Feingold's replacement, after arriving in Washington, immediately abandoned the Tea Party and hasn't been heard from much since then, but when he is, he votes mostly in lockstep with other republicans and doesn't say much of anything.

Does it make any difference to know that Feingold's replacement once testified in favor of legislation that would have have made it easier for victims of sexual abuse by priests to get compensation? He said that compensating victims of assault would be bad for business.

Is that what you think counts as a "trend toward a more 'practical' and real future"?

Seriously, you really need do some research so that you know what you're talking about, and then try to speak in some other language than platitudes. That's so 5th Century B.C.E.

Against legislation, not in favor of it. Mea culpa.

It was AMAZING, but mostly because the democrats seem to have recovered their spines. It's good to see those executives on the defensive for a change. How silly they looked.

Soldier: I got the same impression. But guess what. They are stating facts. If the goverment goes after them very hard with taxes guess who will pay at the pump. Just reality. Yes we can put more regulations in place (and should) but if the goverment get's to punitive the Oil companies will start bailing out like the rest of our industry. However, I think if we open drilling and tighten things slowly we the people can still win. Let's face the facts. Energy efficent cars are starting to come along. Solar and wind still have a long way to go. But, one step at a time and we will get there.

I especially liked the threat that they would take their jobs elsewhere. Good luck with that! I certainly would take my business away from the most secure nation on the planet. That threat sure rings hollow! If they do leave I hope they take their lobby with them then we can really get going on the alternative energy sources!

One has to wonder if this is just another ploy by Big Oil to get the green companies to over extend themselves like they did in 2007 so they can buy them up at bargain basement prices alla Exxon. things that make you go hmmm.

Due to our dependence on oil, the oil companies have us right where they want us. What exactly would be regulated? Prices? Executive salaries? I'm not convinced this would work in the long term. That's the main problem anyway, too much short term thinking. After the OPEC embargo of the 70s, we won because OPEC countries stabbed each other in the back, and our engineers designed smaller more efficient cars. When the prices dropped, we returned to gas guzzlers. Hummers after the first Gulf war! Now with prices up again, we're returning to efficiency. We need long term solutions! Oil will never be back to the "good ole days". As supplies continue to be exhausted and China and India's thirst for black gold continues to rise, the price will remain high. Don't tell me there's a lot of oil out there either! It's propaganda from the oil companies. There is a lot of oil, but it is in rock and sediment that is difficult (and expensive) to get out. The only way the oil companies will go after that oil is if the price is right, which it is now. Sticking with oil is like taking swimming lessons on the Titanic, short term. We need long term solutions like a few more lifeboats.

From WI
The Democrats are running from the mess they've made of my beautiful state, and leaving it to conservatives to bat cleanup. Jim Doyle would probably have won if he would have ran, but he tucked tail and ran from the mess he made and now Walker is left with the dirty work. Same thing with Kohl I suspect.

Clean your eyes out.

Clean your eyes out.

LOL!

Sounds and looks like they are fouling it up to me FW.

Guess you forget the mess that Tommy Thompson left.

This week, Wisconsin learned Walker underestimated revenue by $636 million. If anyone in my business screwed up accounting numbers like this, they would be fired as well as every manager.

He ran around saying how terrible the budget is, but missed $636 million.

My goodness- what a fact-filled and relevant, interesting post there, SCOLE. Thanks for not boring us with the topic at hand- Kole and Wisconsin. I was just about tired of reading real commentary about a real issue all morning.

Ole' Fisty, the Teabagging trash from Ill.........lol............Roc, man you called that right........

DBO. you need to stay in your lane before you get played...........

Funny, you calling someone tea bagging trash there ITM!

The only thing that's keep you out of jail is the FACT your poor dogs can't talk!

Not to worry the ASPCA has you under surveillance! ;o)

Feisty, why do you continue to act like a troglodyte? Can you attempt one day to post without a verbal attack? Or is that impossible for you? Imagine, a day without Feisty or her buddy the ameba.

Electricity,water and natural gas are regulated to keep costs resonable and supply sufficient for the public good.

No, utility companies are regulated because they're allowed local monopolies.

"Cleaning up" can mean "grabbing as much loot as you can get your hands on before anyone notices."

Check out the articles on the internet today about the california lifeguards averaging $120,000 per year out there. They wonder why they are a fiscal mess?

Maybe they are overpaid. How much are the 2000+ lives saved every year worth? (I mean it ain't a YMCA pool you know. Riptides, sharks, all that nasty stuff.)

What is choking everything is lack of jobs....the jobs and factories and manufacturing that have been sent overseas and that we continue to subsidize those companies and give them tax breaks. If people were employed we wouldn't even have this mess, so, no, it's not massive debt that's choking us - it's the inability of your corporate masters to share in the struggle and to put their money into America which has given them so much. It's a joke! But just keep on giving to these oils companies, insurance companies and the banks, and just wait for the trickle down. Hold your breath.

Uh, Ryon, you do realize that oil field workers make a pretty good living, right? Also, there are several fields in the industry that require advanced degrees. You have been watching too much Black Gold. Not everyone that works in the industry is a roustabout.

Sounds to me like you all had better get on the bandwagon; go to personnel and move some of your 401k into oil commodities.

If your so Liberal and concerned; move it and when it increases, let us all know how quick you went back and told the broker to invest in land lines. I guarantee ur azz won't be in here crying about how much you hate those executives.

The job of a CEO is to make his company PROSPEROUS and to keep SHAREHOLDERS happy period.