Senator Russ Feingold spoke to an extremely enthusiastic crowd at the Democracy for Tennessee convention last night.
The charismatic Democrat seemed bowled over by the passion of the crowd. Repeatedly his speech was interrupted with thunderous applause and standing ovations. As he made his way out of the theatre, I overheard him say that it was very gratifying to speak to such an enthusiastic crowd.
Unfortunately, Tennessee Democrats have to reach all the way to Wisconsin to find a member of Congress who represents the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.
Unlike Tennessee's senators, Russ Feingold 'gets' that the most pressing everyday problem of most Americans is health care. The only kind of Democratic presidential candidate we need in 2008 is one who is serious about bringing universal health care to the only advanced nation in the world that still doesn't have it. (Sorry Gov. Bredesen, that eliminates you, but you might still have a chance as a Republican candidate.)
As Tennesseans for Feingold reports:
"[Feingold] then told the crowd exactly what the number one concern of most Americans is--health care. The crowd roared with applause that there was a politician out there that finally got it. He told us that he favored a plan for universal health care where states were given the autonomy to come up with and implement their own plans, so long as each citizen is covered.
The program then ended with another standing-O. Feingold stuck around for a while to shake hands, sign programs, and get pictures made with us. When I shook his hand, I asked him, "Can we expect to vote for you in 2008?" and he answered "We'll see." Yeah, he's running."
In an interview with Chris Lugo at Tennessee Independent Media and Sharon Cobb, Senator Feingold said he was looking forward to speaking with Senator Frist about the health care crisis in Tennessee.
Senator Frist has shown little interest in the fact that as many as 323,000 sick, elderly, disabled and poor Tennesseans are losing health care coverage and hundreds of thousands more will soon have their benefits severely reduced.
It's interesting to compare the statements on health care by Senator Feingold and Senator Frist (available at their websites):
Feingold:
"The current health care system needs dramatic improvement. Nearly 44 million Americans do not have health insurance coverage. At the Listening Sessions I hold around Wisconsin, health care has been the number one issue Wisconsinites have raised for eleven of the last twelve years. I hear from people frustrated by skyrocketing premiums, and from employers who are struggling to provide health care benefits for employees while they work to keep their businesses afloat.
All Americans deserve adequate health care and it is far past time for Congress to take action on this pressing issue. I support a state-based, American-style approach to health care reform, where each state, with the federal government's help, comes up with a plan to make sure that all of its residents have health care coverage. Such an approach would provide universal health care for all Americans by encouraging the flexibility and creativity that are necessary to ensure nationwide access to good, affordable health care.
To move health care reform forward, in the 108th Congress, I introduced S. 2576, the Health Care Reform Expedited Procedures Act of 2004, which would force Congress to debate health care reform within the first months of the 109th Congress. " there's more . . .
Frist: (check out the photo of Frist posing aristocratically - is he planning to run for president or monarch?)
"As a heart and lung transplant surgeon, my life has been dedicated to improving individuals’ lives through advances in health care. As a United States Senator, I am able to take the principles I learned as a physician– such as ‘First, do no harm’ and that the foremost concern is the health of one’s patient– and apply them to my work on health care reform. While I continue to treat patients on an individual basis, I now have the privilege of being able to treat the collective health of the nation. - Senator William H. Frist, M.D.
Senator Frist’s Health Care Accomplishments (Coming Soon) "
Coming soon? Don't hold your breath. And as to the "collective health of the nation," newsflash for you Frist -- it's in the toilet. Your work on health care for humans resembles your efforts on health care for cats.
The Tennessee Democrat who would replace Senator Frist - Harold Ford Jr. - doesn't even list health care as an "issue" at his website!
More on Russ Feingold in Tennessee:
Sharon Cobb has pictures of Russ Feingold speaking at the Democracy for Tennessee convention. She will have a report on her interview with the senator available at her new site tomorrow.
Democracy for Tennessee will also have a report.
Also, see Russ Feingold for President.
Tag: Russ Feingold
