Here’s what they learned about Senator Feingold from his appearance at Marquette University Law School:
Senator Feingold breaks his promises and sells his principles.
MIKE GOUSHA, MODERATOR: So here’s the other thing that you’re going to hear and are starting to hear as the campaign moves forward and that’s Russ Feingold has changed…And they’re going to say, and are saying, Russ Feingold used to say I would never take a majority of my contributions from out of state. This time around, I’m willing to do that. What do you say to people who are going to make that argument that you’re a different guy than you were the last time around?
FLASHBACK:
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/15/15: "Russ Feingold’s PAC funded fees, salaries for former staffers, himself"
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National Journal, 8/13/15: "Feingold’s Early Fundraising Breaks Longtime Campaign-Finance Pledge"
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PolitiFact, 10/28/15: "Russ Feingold changes his tune on campaign contributions…a complete reversal. And a Full Flop."
- The Washington Free Beacon, 11/20/15: "Feingold Fundraiser Held At D.C. Venue Where He Said Lobbyists Buy Influence"
Senator Feingold is a career politician who ran for office for 28 years.
FEINGOLD: Well, look, I don’t consider myself somebody who’s – somebody that’s just sort of an automaton that runs for office all the time.
FLASHBACK:
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Feingold, 2/23/12: "I ran for office for 28 years. I started when I was 29, I went ’til 57"
- The Washington Post, 9/2/15: "…18 years (!) in the U.S. Senate and 10 years in the Wisconsin Senate before that. That’s 64 percent of his adult life spent in office."
Senator Feingold still defends his deciding vote for ObamaCare.
MIKE GOUSHA, MODERATOR: In 2010, the Affordable Care Act – ObamaCare, was a big issue in your race. Senator Johnson, very much opposed to it. I assume you are going to be asked to defend your support of that program. How will you defend it in this election cycle?
FEINGOLD : I’ve already been there and done that in 2010, and I’ll do it again. It was the right vote.
FLASHBACK:
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Feingold on ObamaCare, 10/22/10: "Not only was I the deciding vote for the healthcare bill…"
- Feingold Provided The 60th, And Deciding, Vote To Invoke Cloture On ObamaCare. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #395: Motion agreed to 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/23/09, Feingold Voted Yea)
Senator Feingold loves Barack Obama’s foreign policy.
MIKE GOUSHA, MODERATOR: In 2012, you were a co-chair of President Obama’s re-election campaign. And I think at that time, you said that you thought he had done a good job on foreign policy matters, and so my question is this: given some of the recent developments in our world – given the rise of ISIS, given the terrorist attacks we’ve seen overseas or in our own country, do you still think he’s done a good job at foreign policy?
FEINGOLD: Well, I think he greatly improved our image in the world with his demeanor and his approach, which I think was a very important thing. I think that he has done historic things in terms of improving our situation with a couple of countries who are probably never going to be great friends to say the least…and with regard to Iran, he’s kept his eye on the ball.
FLASHBACK:
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Feingold, 2/22/12: "[President Obama] is doing an excellent job on the international front"
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Feingold, 2/22/12: "I think [President Obama] could end up being one of our great presidents from the point of view of our international policies."
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Feingold, 2/5/13: "I think the president is as well informed and intuitive about international issues as almost any president we’ve ever had."
- Feingold, 2/20/12: “I think [Obama’s] foreign policy record overall has been very good.”