Re-elect Feingold to the U.S. Senate

Tuesday, October 26, 2004 11:43 AM CDT

For the past dozen years the state of Wisconsin has had the good fortune to have Russ Feingold as its representative in the United States Senate.

His hard work, effective constituent representation and efforts to support small businesses and protect Wisconsin jobs alone merit another term in Congress.

But Wisconsin would get even more than that in the bargain . Feingold combines his own hard-work ethic with a conservative fiscal policy and a thoughtful weighing of government policies and issues that has sometimes given him a reputation as a maverick.

For a time he and Sen. John McCain seemed like loners as they championed the cause of campaign finance reform. But after years of battling, that legislation finally gained passage in the past year.

Feingold voted against NAFTA and GATT and most favored nation status for China in a fight to keep to prevent the loss of Wisconsin jobs.

He was one of a few senators opposing giving the president a blank check with the initial Iraq resolution because he wasn't convinced the administration had made its case, but then turned around a short time later to vote in favor of the $87 billion appropriation to support the military effort there. The reason? He listened to Wisconsin parents who told him of things like the need for better flak jackets and armor for Humvees.

"Once we make the decision, whether we like it or not, we have to support the troops," Feingold said.

In the wake of 9/11, Feingold was the lone dissenter when the Senate stampeded to pass the Patriot Act which gave the government vast new powers to fight terrorism with reduced oversight. Feingold says that 90 percent of the provisions in the Patriot Act are all right, but he believes today that there probably have been some violations of civil rights under the Patriot Act and is working on legislation to modify it to reinstitute judicial oversight.

In retrospect those votes and stances were less "mavericky" than they seemed at the time and simply reflect Feingold's long-held determination to weigh facts and to uphold the constitutional rights of all its citizens.

Feingold has also earned a reputation as a fiscal hawk on budget matters. While he has supported targeted tax cuts for small businesses and families, he has opposed running up the national debt. The non-partisan Concord Coalition has recognized him repeatedly for his budget-cutting efforts.

Feingold's opponent this time is Republican Tim Michels, a former Army Airborne Ranger, who runs his family construction company.

In our view, Feingold represents a far better choice for senator based on almost any yardstick. Feingold pays attention to the voices of the people of Wisconsin as he continues to travel the state year after year with his listening sessions; he will continue to work to help state businesses and build jobs; he understands the need for government to pay-as-you-go and not leave massive debts for future generations; and he is faithful to the individual rights and independence guaranteed by our constitution.

Russ Feingold is very much in keeping with the spirit of Wisconsin. The Journal Times recommends his re-election.

Special Offer: Get 5 Weeks of the Journal Times for $7!