Feingold in '08?

The slogan of this site will likely be "A Red State in '08". Having said that, one of our biggest challenges to that goal may come from a fellow Wisconsinite. I opened my new copy of U.S. News & World Report today and flipped to one of my my favorite sections, Washington Whispers. Much to my surprise, I found this entry:

Fresh face, new voice
Keep a lookout for Sen. Russ Feingold , the second half of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance duo, who just won a third term from Wisconsin voters. He's on a nationwide mission to test out his progressive message that's liberal on some issues, like universal healthcare, and conservative on others, like the deficit. Fans think he can bridge the blue-state-red-state divide, making him not just a voice for a changing Democratic Party but a possible '08 presidential candidate. He's not the only one: Republicans are keeping an eye on Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , who's on his own message tour.

I've felt Feingold would be a talked about potential candidate since 2001. Problem is, I thought his momentum would build for '04, which it did not. The rise of Feingold is something that Republicans should keep their eye on for the next 4 years, but ultimately I think Feingold will be too liberal for the rest of the country. His viability as a candidate will depend largely on the charm he uses here in Wisconsin to get us to keep sending back to the Senate. I just don't think he has what it takes to rise above the state level, though.