Posted on 07/23/2007 4:12:25 AM PDT by Blogger
AP Posted: 2007-07-23 06:09:53 Filed Under: Nation, Politics WASHINGTON (July 22) - Liberal Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold said Sunday he wants Congress to censure President Bush for his management of the Iraq war and his "assault" against the Constitution.
But Feingold's own party leader in the Senate showed little interest in the idea. An attempt in 2006 by Feingold to censure Bush over the warrantless spying program attracted only three co-sponsors.
Feingold, a prominent war critic, said he soon plans to offer two censure resolutions - measures that would amount to a formal condemnation of the Republican president.
The first would seek to reprimand Bush for, as Feingold described it, getting the nation into war without adequate military preparation and for issuing misleading public statements. The resolution also would cite Vice President Dick Cheney and perhaps other administration officials.
The second measure would seek to censure Bush for what the Democrat called a continuous assault against the rule of law through such efforts as the warrantless surveillance program against suspected terrorists, Feingold said. It would also ask for a reprimand of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and maybe others.
"This is an opportunity for people to say, let's at least reflect on the record that something terrible has happened here," said Feingold, D-Wis. "This administration has weakened America in a way that is frightful."
At the White House, spokesman Trey Bohn said, "We realize that Senator Feingold does not care much for the president's policies."
Bohn said Bush wants to work with Feingold and other Democrats on such matters as supporting U.S. troops, improving energy choices and securing health care and tax cuts for families. "Perhaps after calls for censure and more investigations, Congress may turn to such things," Bohn said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Feingold's proposals showed the nation's frustration. But Reid said he would not go along with them and said the Senate needs to focus on finishing spending bills on defense and homeland security.
"We have a lot of work to do," Reid said. "The president already has the mark of the American people - he's the worst president we ever had. I don't think we need a censure resolution in the Senate to prove that."
As for the Senate's top Republican, "I think it's safe to say Russ Feingold is not a fan of George Bush. I think that's the best way to sum that up," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Feingold spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press." Reid appeared on "Face the Nation" on CBS, while McConnell was on "Late Edition" on CNN.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. 2007-07-22 20:40:47
The American people need to do a clean sweep of the enemy within. This is absolutely hideous while our men and women are in harms way. It is nothing short of sedition.
BTW, I thought all democratic senators were liberal.
Still interesting how they labeled him, though. Ever notice how the MSM almost always reserves that tactic only for conservatives?
I agree. :) It makes me wonder what the ulterior motive was. Perhaps they're trying to position Reid as centrist? :D
“Arch-liberal Russ Swinegold.”
Since when does Mr. Feingold care about the Constitution? He declares the 1st Amendment null and void during campaign season by censoring political ads, then he whines that those who want to destroy the country aren’t getting a fair shot. Typical lib logic.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit! Either that or the writer was fast asleep on the job, in which case I won't look for his column tomorrow ;-)
Is the AP moving to the right? I've not seen an AP article that when referring to this program, called it "Bush's domestic spying program".
Congress should clean up their own houses first.
Feingold and ole Harry need some General Patton.
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/07/22/video-gen-patton-on-the-war-on-terror-harry-reid/
I can’t believe this is getting the play it is by the MSM.
There is no constitutional provision to censure the president. How about we censure Feingold instead?
The MSM is the house organ of the DNC. There is often collusion in “news” stories.
“The American people need to do a clean sweep of the enemy within. “
I agree, but I’m not sure anymore what the term ‘The American people’ means. Years of fueling class envy and playing the race card have divided this country deeply. A close relative who is having job problems told me recently that socialism was just a way of ‘evening things up a bit’. I believe our resolve as a nation has been weakened on many, many fronts over the years.
Look up "Hypocrisy" in the dictionary, and this is what you'll see.
Outrageous bid for attention! I propose a Feingold censure. What an axe!
Americans need to set benchmarks for our own Congress!!
More Nothing from the Do Nothing Congress.
Pray for W and Our Troops
“BTW, I thought all democratic senators were liberal.”
They are, but I am surprised that the editors let that one get by. Usually, the media won’t admit the Dems are liberal. Maybe they are feeling their oats, and they think that being a “liberal” will be an asset in this election.
They can alway change the past. Simply edit the story and make the offending statement vanish when you are “printing” on the Internet.
The censor wants to censure.
AOL, in it’s usual lunatic leftist fashion, has made this a big story. Harry Reid has already said he has no interest in a censure vote. So this is in actuality a non-story.
Rusty Feingold is an attention seeking media whore.
The reason the Dems won’t go for this is that they would have to quantify their criticisms. The American people would realize they are smoke and mirrors.
"With regard to Iraq, I agree Iraq presents a genuine threat, especially in the form of weapons of mass destruction: chemical, biological and potentially nuclear weapons. I agree that Saddam Hussein is exceptionally dangerous and brutal, if not uniquely so, as the president argues."And I agree, therefore, Mr. President, we cannot do nothing with regard to Saddam Hussein and Iraq. We must act. We must act with serious purpose and stop the weapons of mass destruction and stop Saddam Hussein. And I agree a return to the inspections regime of the past alone is not a serious, credible policy.
No, they aren't.
Hey Dubya, how’s that “new tone” in Washingtong working out for ya?
“We have a lot of work to do,” Reid said. “The president already has the mark of the American people - he’s the worst president we ever had. I don’t think we need a censure resolution in the Senate to prove that.”
When Harry POS Reid disagrees with an idiot in his own party that is a mark of certification of said idiot.
My senator is a douchebag.
When GW is gone, the Dem’s will have to come up with new reasons for not offering any of their own ideas.
I loathe this guy.
I was surprised to see them call him a liberal.
Sadly, I agree.
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