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Obama, Feingold: We Oppose von Spakovsky Nomination
A statement just out from Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) after their opposition to Hans von Spakovsky's nomination scuttled a deal to move von Spakovsky quickly through the Senate:
“While at the Department of Justice, Hans von Spakovsky was directly involved in efforts to politicize the Department and use the Voting Rights Section to disenfranchise voters, rather than enforce our nation’s civil rights laws. As a recess appointee to the FEC he has been a committed, ideological opponent of the campaign finance laws he is supposed to enforce. Putting him at the head of the FEC is just another example of this administration putting the fox in charge of the hen house. We oppose his nomination, and any effort to tie his nomination to the other pending nominations to the FEC.”
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Comments (23)
Yes!!!! There is some pride left in D.C.
October 4, 2007 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Way to go, Sen. Obama. In joining Feingold, he might induce other leading Senate Democrats to start showing more courage.
October 4, 2007 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad Obama did this, but it is not courageous it's only common sense for God's Sake! What a sad state we've sunk to when opposing someone as rotten to the core as Baron Von Spakowsky is thought of as courageous. Why haven't Clinton, Dodd & Biden come out forcefully against this scumbag or for that matter why hasn't ever single Democratic Senator announced their opposition and made clear this man will not serve with their consent?
October 4, 2007 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
What happened to the investigation? I thought Sheldon Whitehouse woud want to get in on this.
October 4, 2007 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very good move from Obama! I know it's not enough for some and certainly does not change the fact that the Senate Democrats have been very weak lately. But Obama is doing the right thing here!
October 4, 2007 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect that this is rather more Feingold than Obama. Feingold has consistently been a beacon of hope in the insanity that has passed for 'democracy' in this country of late. Would that more Dems were like him.
October 4, 2007 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
From an inside source: Kerry and Brown are also holding Hans's nomination.
October 4, 2007 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
From an inside source: Kerry and Brown have holds on Hans, too.
October 4, 2007 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Way to go Feingold and Obama. What will it take to get enough to join them to filibuster if need be?
October 4, 2007 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's no filibuster needed if they can't get him to the floor.
October 4, 2007 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Knowing the opposition so well,I'll still bet on the Baron getting thru.
October 4, 2007 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
this is true leadership. Not refusing to sign the anti torture pledge like Hillary.
Obama and Feingold are men of principle and understand and respect our constitution and the way our government is suppose to work.
After 20 years of dysfunctional government from all areas, it is nice to see some who are trying to do the right things and change our government and country back to the once good and proud country it use to be.
Both men deserve our applause.
We so need more like them.
October 4, 2007 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feingold makes me proud to be from Wisconsin. Not just this . .. but also his principled stands, from the ONLY vote against the original Patriot act, to the ONLY vote raising the debt ceiling to fight the war last week. We need more like him.
October 4, 2007 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Feingold and give money to:
http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/
When Feingold talks, I listen.
October 4, 2007 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heartfelt thanks to Feingold, Obama, Kerry and Brown on taking a stand on this poorly-thought-out Rovian hangover of an appointment.
Feingold is a rare statesman in a age of smooth-talking frauds. His positions have consistently been six months to two years ahead of where the mainstream moves. He brings out the best traits in his fellow office-holders. Were that there were more of his ilk.
Let's hear the merits on all four appointees, and to hell with backroom deals that ill-serve democracy.
October 4, 2007 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heartfelt thanks to Feingold, Obama, Kerry and Brown on taking a stand on this poorly-thought-out Rovian hangover of an appointment.
Feingold is a rare statesman in a age of smooth-talking frauds. His positions have consistently been six months to two years ahead of where the mainstream moves. He brings out the best traits in his fellow office-holders. Were that there were more of his ilk.
Let's hear the merits on all four appointees, and to hell with backroom deals that ill-serve democracy.
October 4, 2007 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's hoping that Mr. Obama destroys Mrs. Clinton in the primaries. The corporate media seems assured of her victory; I hope they're wrong (as they often are).
October 5, 2007 5:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
What has 100 members and 4 testicles? The United States Senate!
October 5, 2007 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I back Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) in their opposition to Hans von Spakovsky's nomination. Please do not let this nomination pass
through the senate!
October 18, 2007 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with the person who said corporate media is pushing Clinton, i haven't spoke to one person backing clinton i wonder where they are getting there polls, and i am a black women and i not selling out to hillary, i hope the black women stand by our man obama like she stood by hers
October 18, 2007 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
lET' MAKE SURE HE IS OUT OF OFFICE PERIOD
October 19, 2007 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I were to deprive thousands of African-Americans of their right to vote, they would put me in a federal penitentiary, not the Federal Election Commission! The other 98 senators (or 94, if Kerry and Brown are really on board) need a quick lesson in Civil Rights law.
October 23, 2007 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
what in hell is the FEC? so many of the snippets offered here are so poorly written I can never follow what they are talking about. after seeing the pix of the "dinner" party for TPM I have to wonder where are the adults?
December 20, 2007 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink