Since Sunday, when I announced that I am drafting two censure proposals condemning the President, Vice President, and the administration for their misguided actions in Iraq and for their disregard for the rule of law, I've received thousands of emails and phone calls from people in Wisconsin and around the country. I've also read and watched what 'pundits' and the 'D.C consultant class' have had to say about my proposals. And, while it's really no surprise, the two couldn't be farther away from one another.

I've heard some pundits characterize censure as 'piling on' an unpopular president that could, in the end, hurt Democrats in 2008. Some have said it's a 'big tactical mistake. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point...

Meanwhile, outside of Washington, D.C., it's clear from the thousands of responses I've received, from people on both sides of the aisle, that the American people as a whole are sick and tired of the notion of an imperial presidency. Americans are demanding accountability.

From illegal domestic wiretapping, to the President's dubious signing statements, to the current U.S. Attorney scandal; from manipulating intelligence data to suit their ideology, to their dishonesty about weapons of mass destruction, to their disgraceful efforts to convince Americans that Iraq was directly involved with the attacks of 9/11, the Bush White House has failed this country in a catastrophic manner.

We have a duty and responsibility to make sure that this President, and future presidents, understand clearly that Americans value the rule of law and will not stand by while an administration ignores our laws and our Constitution.

I'm continuing to work on both censure resolutions and will formally introduce them in the coming days, but I still need your feedback. Please click here to send me your thoughts.

It's time to get our country moving in a new direction. But that new direction must start by acknowledging that the Bush Administration must be held to account and compelled to follow the laws of our country.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

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