U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold's, D-Wis., resolution to censure President Bush seems to have fallen on deaf ears. So far only a handful of democratic senators have supported him, and the vast majority have actually condemned his actions. An American Research Group poll shows that 46 percent of respondents favor the censure resolution. An astounding 42 percent actually favor impeachment. Censuring the president should not be taken lightly, and those accusing Feingold of pulling a political stunt in order to gain support for a presidential run in 2008 have no idea with whom they are dealing.
Feingold is ahead of the game. As one of the few senators to vote against going into Iraq, he has now become one of the war's most vocal and vehement detractors. He voted how he felt and continues to stand up for what he believes in.
Feingold, in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act because he felt it went too far in violating our civil liberties. When it came up for renewal, he led a fight to amend it with provisions to appease his concerns. In the end only a few were adopted.
Just as with Iraq and the Patriot Act, Feingold has proposed a resolution to censure the president because he feels it is right. The president's actions, as well as his misleading statements to both Congress and the public about the program, demand a serious response,\ Feingold said in a press release. ""If Congress does not censure the president, we will be tacitly condoning his actions and undermining both the separation of powers and the rule of law.""
Is that not what our government is for? To enforce laws and hold those who break them accountable?
When Bill Clinton got a blowjob and lied about it, Republicans were outraged and called for not censure, but impeachment. Clinton did break the law by committing obstruction of justice, but his transgressions did not warrant impeachment. Democrats stood steadfastly behind Clinton and denounced the impeachment trials.
On Jan. 27, 1999, there was a vote on a motion to dismiss the impeachment case. Feingold was the only Democratic senator to vote against that motion. He felt the case should be heard in full.
Feingold does not play politics. He has conviction and votes how he feels. That is why he has proposed this resolution to censure the president. Polls show that many Americans agree.
The New York Times editorial board claims this proposal is a bad idea, and instead a bipartisan panel should be created to determine if the president has violated the law. Been there, done that. The Senate Intelligence Committee interviewed Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, and Republicans blocked an effort to put his words under oath, basically granting him the right to lie outright.
Senate Republicans refuse to budge on this issue and will defend Bush's actions to the death. This is why censure is necessary, because it is the only way Bush can truly be held accountable.
Following Feingold's proposal, senate Democrats have ""cowered"" and have refused to stand up for what they believe in. They know that the president broke the law, but they are too worried about their image with voters to take a leap and actually take action.
It seems as though none of our leaders in Washington D.C. have a backbone. Lucky for us in Wisconsin, Sen. Feingold does.
Erik Opsal is a sophomore majoring in political science. His column runs every Tuesday. Send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
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