Feingold update

Russ Feingold, that anti-war champion of the left, shed some light on his 2008 ambitions in Philadelphia yesterday.

Maverick Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold said yesterday the outcome of this November's elections could determine whether he runs for president in 2008.

Before giving a speech at the National Constitution Center yesterday, the Democrat said "a discouraging outcome would be if the Republicans didn't lose any ground in the Senate or didn't lose much ground, if they kept the House, if the analysis of the election was people really were squeamish about leaving Iraq."

Feingold, a vocal opponent of President Bush and the war in Iraq, said public attitudes about issues he champions - including universal health care - would help him decide if he should take the plunge.

On New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, widely considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, he said, "She's very able and I think ready to be president. We disagree on some fundamental issues, particularly this war on terrorism and Iraq."


--- As one insightful PB reader commented on, Feingold's main impact in 2008 will most definitely be in the debates. He could put Hillary in some awkward situations at the podium.