Feingold Resolution: A Semi-Contrary View

Feingold is right. Deborah is right. Shakespeare's Sister is right. Having been presented with the Feingold resolution, every Democrat in the Senate should have embraced it enthusiastically--should have taken a stand against violating criminal statutes as a matter of policy--instead of trying to duck the issue.

And yet...

I think Kevin Drum is right not to let Feingold himself off the hook:

...it's not clear what Feingold hopes to accomplish with his censure motion....He obviously didn't bother telling his fellow Democrats about his plan, which has had the result of making the party look muddled and stupid....Political theater has its own rules, and fair or not, the only measure of success is success. So while I'd vote for Feingold's motion, I don't think I'd hire him as a political theater consultant.

Again: not excusing the Dems' failure to take a stand here...but I think Kevin's point about not coordinating with the rest of the party is a pretty damning criticism of Feingold.

And lest we get carried away with the Feingold love, let's remember (as Kevin does) that he was the only Democrat who voted to impeach Clinton. Let's also remember that he voted to confirm Ashcroft and Roberts.

I still think his motion was the right thing (even if he could have handled it a lot better), and I think most of the Democrats did the wrong thing. Still, perspective is important.

[That's all, folks]