Blood, Sweat, and Gore Gameplay Thread

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Russ Feingold promises to unleash a Second War on Poverty

In a speech given in Iowa, Russ Feingold seemed to promise another War on Poverty. He said that it is unacceptable for people to starve in the streets or struggle to pay bills for basic utilities, and that another War on Poverty is needed so America can be the first nation in the world to eradicate it. His campaign released a proposal, and according to it, the Second War on Poverty will consist of -

1. Expand access to jobs by helping Americans to grab a hold of and climb the job ladder, create a green jobs corps, improve transportation access to jobs and reduce crime recidivism by providing ex-offenders support.

2. Make work pay for all Americans by expanding the EITC, raise the federal minimum wage to $10 and provide tax relief for working Americans.

3. Strengthen families by promoting responsible fatherhood, supporting parents with young children and expand paid sick days.

4. Increase the supply of affordable housing by supporting affordable housing trust funds and fully funding the community development block grants.

5. Tackle concentrated poverty by establishing 20 Promise Neighborhoods, ensuring community-based investment resources in all urban communities and investing in rural areas.

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Feingold responds to the attacks of Hillary Clinton

In a town hall in Iowa, a voter asked Senator Feingold about the new attacks of Hillary Clinton towards his campaign. Here is what he said in response -

Well, I do not know what is so unrealistic about wanting to provide healthcare for all Americans, like every other developed country on Earth does. I do not know what is so unrealistic about wanting to tax the rich at a fair rate and relief the middle class. I do not know what is so unrealistic about wanting to lift millions of people out of poverty through smart governmental actions. But if being a realist politician means being a hypocrite or seeking the support of politicians rather than voters or backing every single disaster bill in the last 20 years or being a part of the DC establishment and a friend to the billionaires and lobbyists, count me in as a proud unrealistic politician!

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AFL CIO endorses Russ Feingold for President

AFL CIO released a statement today, endorsing Russ Feingold as the only voice for the workers of America, who will fight for their interests. With Russ Feingold, the working Americans will be listened to again by Washington and they will get affordable healthcare, tax relief and policies designed to reduce poverty. NAFTA will get repealed, saving millions of jobs, and billionaires will lose their grip over the political system, the statement also claims.

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NH Governor John Lynch endorses Russ Feingold, calls him the voice of the working Americans.

Today, in a speech in Manchester, NH, Governor John Lynch endorsed Russ Feingold, calling him a personal friend and a person he can trust with governing the nation and bringing back the American dream for millions of families. He said that Russ will govern with compassion, listen to Americans from all regions and implement progressive policies. He will govern throughout NH while Russ Feingold will focus on winning Iowa.

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Russ Feingold - I am the only candidate who is an outsider to the DC establishment and its corruption

In a speech given in Iowa, Russ Feingold claimed to be the only candidate who is not a part of the political establishment and uninfluenced by its corrupt ways. He said that despite spending years in Washington, not once had he cut a backroom deal, something his opponents are quite fond of doing even in a political campaign, and he had not taken a dollar from billionaires or an advice from lobbyists.  Once elected President, he promised to bring the needed fresh vision in order to reform Washington to its core and take it away from the grip of the wealthy. He said that the biggest problem America faces is how its political system shifted away from the people and towards division, partisanship and corruption and that prevents all the other issues faced by working Americans from being solved, and that he will make it its top priority to address this crisis. He also said that the main reason for which he is the best candidate to defeat the corporate-backed Republicans in November is his honesty towards the American people and the fact that he is the only candidate who is not part of the establishment and towards whom the people can manifest their hopes for a better future.

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The answers of Senator Russ Feingold at the Second Democratic Debate

Opening statement -
Good evening, America. First of all, let me thank the organizers and moderators of this great debate and to all Americans watching us. The election of 2008 is maybe the most important in recent history, because we have an unique opportunity to actually choose the path forward for our nation. Which is why, I want to ask you a question. Are you satisfied with the way DC is working right now? Do you think that it is doing enough to solve the issues facing America? Do you think that it understands the plight of the working American? Is it truly listening to you? And if you answer these questions with YES, there are many candidates, both on this stage and on the the GOP stage, suited to represent your views. I am, unfortunately, not one of them. But if you answer these questions with NO, I can suggest you an alternative. Because if I am elected President, I will do my best to shake up DC from upside down and make it solve actual issues. Like the fact that millions of Americans are without health insurance, something never seen in any other major country, and that we regard reducing that number while still leaving millions of people without insurance as the end goal. Or the fact that millions of Americans are still living in poverty, without a home or unable to put food on their tables, and meanwhile politicians are concerned with corporate welfare. Or the fact that our tax code is unfair, biased towards billionaires and corporations which buy politicians. If these are important issues, join me in our movement to bring real, unprecedented change to our country.

Personal question -
Well, first of all I would like to thank the AFL CIO for its endorsement, it truly means a lot to me and it shows that our movement is stronger than ever. And I believe that I have a very strong following in the country, especially among the working class voters which have been forgotten by our rigged, corporate political system. And I meet people every day, at town halls and rallies across the country, who tell me their stories about how their communities were destroyed by NAFTA or how they have no health insurance and struggle to afford drugs and go to the doctor or how they are under-insured, and they are paying a lot for insurance not covering the most basic of needs or how poverty is or was impacting them personally and no one in the government helped them when they needed it the most. And my message about a more compassionate, effective government is clearly more appealing to them than some establishment, backroom-dealing politician coming and telling them that doing anything to actually solve their problems is unrealistic. Many of them are even donating to my campaign, as much as they can afford, and I welcome their support and I want to tell them again tonight that I will not let them down. A Feingold Administration will be different, and will not add any more broken promises to the long list DC has on this.

Closing statement -
Well, tonight we have heard a lot of ideas about the future of America. But, in my view, this election is about the path we want to take as a nation. We must not be afraid to go with bold choices and truly progressive values, because the status quo in which tens of millions of people are forgotten is no longer acceptable. DC has to change, and it will only change if next year we will all come together, both during the primaries and the general election, and tell it that the old ways are no longer acceptable, that America rejected all establishment candidates and wants a government cleared of corruption, of the grip of lobbyists, corporations and billionaires. So let us come together as Americans, put aside our differences and tell the crooks in Washington to start delivering or go home! Thank you and God bless you.

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Feingold Campaign to organize National Progressive Conference in Iowa

Russ Feingold and his campaign announced today in a statement to the press that they will organize a National Progressive Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, to discuss progressive policies and strategies for 2008 and the 2008-2012 term (It will be similar to IRL CPAC). All politicians, ranging from State Representatives to Senators, with liberal political views were invited to attend and speak if they so desire, including Presidential candidates such as Barbara Lee, Kathleen Sebelius and Brian Schweitzer. The event will take place in the 19-20 December period.

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Russ Feingold celebrated Thanksgiving at a homeless shelter in Iowa

In an unconventional move, Senator Feingold choose to celebrate Thanksgiving, with his family, at a homeless shelter in Des Moines, Iowa. He donated a significant amount of money from his own to the shelter and promised to donate his own salary as President to homeless shelters as well, at least until everyone will have a home, as he put it. During the meal, the homeless people living there have shared their experiences and how they got on the streets, and expressed hope that a Feingold Administration will help them improve their lives. Russ listened with compassion, answered all of their questions and promised to help them as President.

On another point, the Former Representative of Iowa Neal Smith endorsed Russ Feingold, calling him the best choice Iowa could make and said that the Senator impressed him during his last term, when they had the chance to work together. Smith said that Russ was and still is a force of change in Washington DC and that Iowa has the chance to help him reform Iowa, pointing out that any other choice would be just a confirmation of the DC swamp and its power. Neal promised to campaign in the entire state until the caucus, especially in his own district.

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Des Moines Register endorses Russ Feingold for President

Today, the Des Moines Register announced its endorsement for the Democratic nomination and the Presidency of the United States, and it is Senator Russ Feingold! In an article, the newspaper editorial team called Russ Feingold the change Iowa and America really need after decades of establishment politicians and corporate hacks dictating laws in the country. They also said that what makes Russ different from his opponents is, in their view, the fact that he can also see the flaws of 16 years of Clinton-Gore Presidencies, such as the devastating NAFTA or the insufficiency of Gorecare, and is willing to do everything it takes to fix them. The team thinks that 8 years of a Feingold Administration will change America for the better, and not incrementally but in a fundamental way.

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Russ Feingold gives major speech on rural issues in Sioux Center, Iowa

Russ Feingold - Hello, Sioux! It is an honor to be here, together with all of you, fighters for a better tomorrow! Today, we are here to discuss about a very important subject that was not really addressed in this campaign, but one that is crucial for the future of America. And that is how we can put rural America back on track. Because, make no mistake, just like middle America was left behind by Washington and the workers were left behind by the billionaires, so was, unfortunately, rural America by a large part of our politicians. But my campaign is about leaving no one behind but put Americans first, ahead of the billionaires and corporations and the DC crooks! So, today I am here to tell you about my plans for rural America and small farms, and then I will take questions from the voters.

Now, I know that family farms are being squeezed. Farm consolidation has made it harder for mid-size family farmers to get fair prices for their products and compete on the open market. And I also know that rural communities are left behind because of the lack of infrastructure and remote distances which cause a lack of capital. There is less access to quality doctors, and schools have trouble recruiting teachers. And I have a plan to fix all of those issues.

First of all, we will ensure economic opportunity for family farmers by creating a strong safety net for family farms with a 250.000 payment limitation that will help family farms not corporations, preventing anticompetitive behavior against family farms by implementing a packer ban, strengthening anti-monopoly laws and strengthening producer protections, regulating CAFOs by ordering the EPA to strictly regulate pollution from large CAFOs, with tough fines and strengthened control from local communities. A Feingold Administration will fight hard to pass and implement a law mandating the labeling of the country origin of products, so that producers can American producers can distinguish their products from imported ones. We will also encourage organic and local agriculture by helping organic farmers to afford certification of their crops and reform crop insurance to not penalize organic farmers. We will also promote regional food systems.

Second of all, we will support rural economic development by supporting small business development by providing capital for farmers to create value-added enterprises and create a program for small businesses and micro-enterprises in rural America. We will also connect rural America by ensuring through smart government actions and FCC reforms that rural Americans have access to a modern communications infrastructure and promote affordable broadband coverage and rural phone services. And last but not least, we will promote leadership in renewable energy. We will create millions of jobs by transforming the energy system and the economy, and rural America will be the first to benefit from this revolution.

And last but not least, we will improve rural quality of life, which is probably our biggest priority. We will combat the meth epidemic, which has been rising dramatically in the last 10 years. We will improve rural healthcare, which is a very big priority for me, by ensuring a more equitable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement structure. We will attract providers to rural America by creating a loan forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in rural areas. We support increasing rural access to care by promoting health information technologies like telemedicine. We will also improve rural education by providing incentives for talented persons to teach in rural areas, including increased pay. We will do everything we can to keep and attract young people in rural areas, and we will protect Land Grant colleges.

With this plan, I believe that rural America can emerge stronger than ever, and I will do everything I can so the hard working farmers can experience a revival and defeat the huge corporations seeking to get them out of business and the current gap between rural and urban America. Thank you, and now I will take some questions...

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Russ Feingold ad - Behind The Closed Doors, airing in Iowa, NH, NV and Michigan

Narrator - Have you ever wondered what is behind the closed doors of Capitol Hill, in front of which politicians give their fancy speeches? Well, today we will find out!

(A dark room full of smoke from cigarettes, with several mafia-looking men and a woman sitting in fancy chairs appears on screen)

Here they are, the establishment crooks who decide everything in Washington, the billionaires and the politicians they sponsor. They are all fighting in here, to protect their interests and destroy your dreams! And in the middle of the gang, there is Hillary Clinton. She is just like them. She has been in DC forever and now she wants to get to the Presidency! And her establishment friends are right there for her, sponsoring her and getting all of the politicians they own to line up behind her! What a nice group of friends, except they are only united by their desire to protect the status quo! And President Hillary Clinton would only continue to preside over this corruption instead of draining the swamp, because no matter what she tells you, she is just like them! She is...one of them!

Russ Feingold - I am Russ Feingold and I approve this message.

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Russ Feingold gives a speech at the National Progressive Conference organized by his campaign

- Thank you, thank you. When I came up with the idea of organizing a National Progressive Conference, this is exactly what I had in mind. A room full of tough warriors and fighters for the American people against the crooked billionaires discussing their ideas. Thank you to all for attending and making the first NPC an epic success!

Now, it is clear fact that 2008, the year in which we will soon be, is a crucial one for our movement. Because the so-called conservatives are coming for us, fueled by corporations, lobbyists and donors, desperate to convince the people that we are communists throwing the country into anarchy. So today I want to make clear what progressives really stand for. We stand for recognizing both the greatness of America and its flaws and that we need to take action to fix its flaws. For example, we recognize that the healthcare system we live under is built to satisfy the greed of the insurance and drug companies and not to protect the health of the people. And we are decided to end their greed and make sure that all currently uninsured people will have insurance. Not half of them, not 25% or 75% of them, all of them. We also recognize that too many of our people are living in poverty and that we need to fighting a Second War on Poverty in order to ensure that all of the citizens of the greatest country on Earth can put food on their table and have a roof over their head. And we also see too many of our rural areas being devastated by corporations and by the lack of interest in their development by Washington politicians. And we progressives will always fight for the underdog, so we will do everything possible to lower the Gap between rural and urban America. We also need to acknowledge the damage done by our devastating immigration system, which has forced so many people into the shadows and stopped many people from coming in legally, as well as by the devastating NAFTA deal, which has been killing off millions of jobs and throw tens of millions of families into poverty since 1994, and work to fix them! This is what being progressive really means!

Now, it is known that we, Democrats, are going through a rough primary. But I think that only shows how many voices for change our party has and how diverse they are. And I will take a long, hard look at my opponents in this primary when I am building my Administration, because all of them except one has been a warrior for the people and not for the DC elites for their entire political careers, and I respect them deeply despite any disagreements we might have had during this heated primary. And I just want to point out - we absolutely need a woman on the Democratic ticket, as politics has been a world of men for too long! We have had 43 Presidents and 46 Vice Presidents - all of them were men, and only one woman on a major party ticket in 55 elections. If I am nominated I am decided to make history and select a woman as Vice President just like I have pledged. Another office I will make a priority is HHS Secretary, as the reform of the healthcare system is a priority for me and for the entire country, and I promise for my choice to be historical.

Thank you all for attending, and let me just say that the Progressive Movement is stronger than ever! That is because of you, the proud activists and fighters who made changing this country their personal priority! Thank you for that, and I respect you deeply. I look forward to see you in the next December at the 2nd National Progressive Conference as the winners of the elections! Thank you!

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The schedule of Russ Feingold in December

1st December - 3rd December - Nevada

3rd December - 6th December - Michigan

6th December - 11th December - New Hampshire

12th December - 30th December - Iowa

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Opening statement - Well, let me just thank our great moderator and the St. Anslem College for hosting us tonight and the American people for watching. 2008 can be the year of America. It can be the year in which we lift each other up. The year in which all of us come together and say - the American dream needs to be restored. The year in which the Democratic Party can restore its status of the party of the working Americans and protect them from the ravaging extremism of the GOP. Or we can just nominate another establishment hack. This is the choice that we are facing right now, and I want to make it clear tonight. I also want to thank my good friend, Governor Brian Schweitzer, for his courage in fighting for the working class against the billionaires, lobbyists and corporations. We might have had differences on certain policies, but I respect him deeply and if I win, he will certainly have a place in my Administration if I win. I also want to tell him this - Brian, I am here to continue your fight. I will fight for Universal Healthcare, for repealing NAFTA, for helping farmers, for restoring fairness to the tax code and the political system. My fellow Americans, these are the things I will fight for as President, and I hope that in January and the following months, you will choose to support me. It would be an honor to have your support and I will continue to fight for it. Thank you.

Personal question - First of all I would like to thank Barbara Lee as well. She has been an amazing warrior for American families and despite my disagreements with her during this primary season, I still wish her the best and she will have a place in my Administration. Now, I would characterize my views as common sense views, not strongly liberal or any other ideology, even as I am deeply progressive. Because it is pure common sense for a country to offer universal healthcare to its people, especially the greatest country on Earth, when every other major country does it. It is pure common sense for the billionaires to pay more than the worker, not less. Why would it be the other way around? It is pure common sense for the government to do something when millions of people do not have a home, or the means to put food on their tables. Since when is that something radical? Well, the reason for which these views are treated like anarcho-communism by many in the media is that the billionaires and corporations feel threatened about them and are decided to stop them. If you would ask a Republican why does he or she oppose Universal Healthcare, they would always say we can not afford it, while we keep troops in Uganda or voice concern for the profits of the drug companies. That is absurd, and I am fighting for common sense and for the right of every American to a decent life. That is what I believe, and that is what many Americans believe.

Closing statement - Today, you have heard me and my opponents stating our different ideas to ensure the well-being of our working people and of America as a whole. Or at least you were supposed to. Because we have no idea what my opponents would do if they were elected. On the debate stage, were they have the chance to tell you what their plans are, they do nothing but repeat platitudes tested in focus groups instead of speaking their mind. My campaign and I have always been clear about my plans for our country because we have a clear vision which involves a fairer country in which working people get their dignity and voice back from Washington, and we will continue to be clear about what we are fighting for. If you believe that there is nothing radical about universal healthcare or about repealing and replacing NAFTA or about helping our farmers against multinational companies, join us today. Thank you, God Bless you and God Bless the USA.

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Russ Feingold drops out and endorses Hillary Clinton, saying we need an experienced candidate to win against the Republicans.

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Russ Feingold forms Our Revolution to support anti-establishment candidates and causes

In the first public appearance 2 weeks after his withdrawal and endorsement of Senator Clinton, Russ Feingold held a press conference to announce him forming the Our Revolution organization. He said that despite his campaign being over, its legacy remains and he will fight to preserve it. As such, the new organization will be dedicated to support progressive anti-establishment candidates in Democratic Primaries at Congressional, Gubernatorial and local level and in the General Election if they become the nominee as well as progressive down ballot initiatives, especially those related to healthcare. Despite many reporters shouting questions, Russ took none.

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Russ Feingold gives speech at Hillary Clinton rally in Des Moines, Iowa

Hello, Des Moines! This is quite an unusual circumstance to address a crowd, but we can work it, what do you say? In 2008, the Democratic Party needs to come together to defeat the far rightists and the establishment crooks, and I am here to help with that! And I endorsed Hillary Clinton because I know her from the Senate, by the way when I was first elected to Congress, and I went there, and I had a month to figure out how things work, I was in shock. Absolutely in shock. Because of the corruption that was overwhelming. It is impossible to tell from the outside, but the place actually stinks of corruption. It is unbelievable. And I am telling you, that everyone there knows it. They just pretend they do not see it.

Now back to Hillary. Her record of achievement is great. She accomplished so many things. And I was surprised by her success, because usually the billionaires do not allow anyone to pass anything that is against their interests. But she found a way around them. Speaking of billionaires, have you seen how well Donald Trump is doing in the polls? He has been donating to politicians for years, buying access and cutting deals with them in his own interest. He is no fighter for the workers, I mean really. Once you go in Hell, you can not pretend you are an angel from Heaven. But that is what Trump is doing. And it is disgusting.

There are so many frauds in this field. Take Ron Paul for example. He claims to care about Americans, but at the same time promises to cut deeply social programs, health care programs, education funding. All in the name of a smaller government. Who cares how big or small the government is, what we should care about is how effectively is it doing its job? And when we are the only major country on Earth with millions of uninsured people, I can confidently say it is not doing a good job!

And I was talking to a friend of mine, from Canada, and he told me how much NAFTA was hurting us. That he was surprised when he saw the devastation of our communities, especially in the Midwest. And that in Canada this did not happen. Do you know why we suffer and Canada grows? And Mexico grows? Because Canada is not ruled by an oligarchy picking Presidential nominees for the voters and then dictating their policies, that is why! This is why I have launched Our Revolution in order to defeat them and I urge all of you to join it today, and if you can afford, make a donation as well!

I will also say this - we have to be an united party. The Republican oligarchy is worse than the Democratic one because it is also a far right oligarchy! Even Reagan, their hero, would be laughed out of the room as too liberal today! And I would have defeated the establishment, and badly, during the primaries. But I kind of had to drop out, you know what I mean? Give them a chance. I decided not to end their political careers before time. But someday the people will and I am waiting for that day.

Thank you, God Bless you and make sure to vote for Hillary Clinton this month and in November!

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Rabbi Dena Feingold launches shocking new book - A lost Hope. How the Establishment killed off the Feingold campaign

In a shocking new book, the sister of Senator Russ Feingold, Dena Feingold, told the reader how the Feingold campaign was from her perspective. She mentioned that immediately after she left from the launch rally of the campaign, she felt permanently tracked. She mentions how she often saw suspicious cars parked in front of her house during the night with their driver standing in the car and whenever she left the house, the said cars would follow her. As the Iowa caucuses approached, she started receiving notes with death threats addressed to her, her brother and her nieces. She even found a knife packed in a gift bag in late November, when Barbara Lee stopped campaigning. Dena also mentions a weird incident which happened on December 19th. A motel owner in an near by area, who happens to be a friend of her, told her that 4 men came from Washington DC and the owner overheard them talking about how Russ Feingold was pulling ahead in Iowa and the need to stop him by either forcing him to drop out or the nuclear option - killing Dena. Dena ends her book by blasting the DC establishment which has become a criminal organization and expressing her hope that someone will take them on eventually.

Senator Russ Feingold was unavailable for a comment after the book was launched and seems to have left to an unknown location.

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Jessica Feingold Lieberson gives exclusive CNN Interview, claims she has been poisoned with mercury

During an exclusive CNN Interview, the daughter of Senator Russ Feingold, Jessica Feingold Lieberson has claimed that what Rabbi Dena Feingold wrote in her book was only the tip of the iceberg, and that there are many things that she (the Rabbi) does not know which happened during the campaign. Jessica recalls living in terror as well, with death threats, 24/7 surveillance and receiving multiple knifes and guns as a so-called gift. However, she also claimed that more direct attempts at her life were made. She said that in mid November she started feeling very sick so she went to a doctor to do some tests. The results said that she had a high level of heavy metals in her blood, mostly caused by an abnormally high level of mercury. The doctors helped her with treatments to lower the levels back to normal, but at tests made in December, the mercury seemed to continue to rise. According to her, her father and sister had similar problems, with too much mercury in their blood. And this was not the only explosive statement made by Feingold Lieberson. She also said that she has no idea as to the whereabouts of Russ Feingold, who was not available to comment on the recent revelations. She is worried about a possible abduction, but says it is more likely for him to be hiding somewhere. However, she made a public call for anyone who sees her father to report to the Police or to CNN. The last public appearance of Senator Feingold was at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton in Des Moines, Iowa, and no one has seen him since the night before the book of Rabbi Dena Feingold has been released.

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Widespread searching for Senator Feingold, organized in the entire country


Former staffers of the defunct Feingold campaign, as well as from Our Revolution and other progressive organizations have made a public appeal to the population to search for Senator Feingold, who has been missing for about 3 weeks. The call was repeated by Jessica Feingold Lieberson in a public statement. However, despite thousands answering it, Feingold is still missing and no clues were found to help with the disappearance, making the effort a failure.

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BREAKING - Feingold, found dead in abandoned building in Northern Wyoming

The searching for Senator Russ Feingold came to a swift and sudden end today, when he was found dead in an abandoned farm in Northern Wyoming. The policemen came into the area when a citizen reported seeing dubious men entering fields which have not been used since the early 1990s. He was killed by being shot in the head, and he appears to have been dead for at least a week, around the time when the Iowa caucuses were taking place.