Russ Feingold :: essays research papers

On butt 2, 1953, in Janesville Wisconsin, a United States Senator was born. He was named Russell Dana Feingold, and he grew up shaping, and hold forthing his policy-making views around the dinner table with his father, Leon, a founding member of Wisconsins Progressive Movement. 51 years ulterior, Feingold is a third term U.S. Senator cognize for regulate both on Campaign Finance Reform, and on another(prenominal) issues critical to the people of Wisconsin. Feingold first ran for office at the age of 29, and at one time began to get recognition as a rising star in Wisconsin politics. After defeating a longtime officer State Senator by the lissom margin of 31 votes out of 47,000, Feingold sat down and began the real work of politics. After 4 years as a State Senator from Confederate Wisconsin, Feingold began to gain respect and admiration from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Feingold was re-elected to the State Senate in twice before joining a three way prime fo r U.S. Senator in 1992. Feingold was the least known candidate in the race, but done hard work, and popular TV ads, Feingold received 70% of the vote, and became the Democratic Nominee. Defeating an incumbent Senator is never easy, but Feingold managed to do it, by receiving 52% of the vote, and defeating 2-time incumbent Robert Kasten. As Senator from Wisconsin, Feingold is known for his independence and free thinking. Feingold once said. I find it to be the most satisfying moment in politics when people of differing ideologies get along together in support of an issue. He is widely regarded as a man who has the best interests of the people of Wisconsin at heart, what earned him this reputation was his assurance during his first Senate campaign in 1992, to hold one listening session in each of Wisconsins 72 counties each year. This way, any Wisconsinite could discuss issues directly with Senator Feingold, without an appointment. One issue that was continually coming up in those early listening sessions was Campaign Finance Reform. With the help of his friend buns McCain, Republican Senator from Arizona, Feingold worked for almost 7 years on his flagship piece of legislation, what would later become known as the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act. The bill, when it was at long last passed in 2001 succeeded in banning unlimited soft money contributions attached by corporations to political parties in exchange for favors, or access to politicians.