[Updated] This just in: Feingold's statement on Lamont

This is transcribed from Sen. Feingold's online listening session, which is ongoing as I type.  

A chatter from Penn. asked: (paraphrased)

What is your reaction to the election in Connecticut on Tuesday?  Will you be campaigning for Ned Lamont?

Russ's answer (transcribed):

I think the results in Connecticut were among the most significant election results in recent years.  Ned Lamont's victory represents the American people's enormous frustration with our policy in Iraq.  I support Ned, have contributed significantly to his campaign, and have offered to help out in any way he wants.

I know this is too short and therefore pisses on the diary rules, but I wanted to get this out in a hurry so that people who were wondering about this can see where Russ stands.

I will update this with the other questions and answers after the online listening session is over. (And I have gone back to work, which is what I was supposed to be doing instead of this...but sh! Don't tell anybody.)

UPDATE I had trouble with the chatroom, so I couldn't go back to where I left off, but here are some of the other questions I did capture. They are not necessarily the most weighty issues covered, but I gravitate towards the personal and things I find amusing, so:

An Arizona chatter asked:

We've never had a single (much less a twice divorced) Jewish President. If you were to run for President, how much of your personal life do you think would "play" in a national campaign? BTW, I have NO doubt you can overcome anything. Run, Russ, Run!

Russ:

I think my personal life is sufficiently boring and the issues facing America are so compelling that people will focus on the latter if I end up running.

Now, I am not one to underestimate the ability of people, even relatively intelligent people, to be manipulated. I figure if Russ runs, the rightwingnutjobs will try to swiftboat him on this, and thinking back to Kerry in 2004, I don't know that people necessarily believed the Swifties altogether, but it was just enough to plant a seed of doubt. That is all the RWNJs are looking for: that seed to weaken the voters confidence in a candidate just this much.

So, if you would, follow below to the poll question.

I liked his answer to this question:

A WI chatter asked:

...What types of actions do you propose to get the U.S. on board with the rest of the world to reduce [CO2]?

Russ:

The first thing is to make Al Gore's movie and book required for every member of Congress. Some of the pages only have 1 line and large pictures. This benefitted me. Once you read it or see the movie, a person cannnot help but be motivated on this critical matter.

Johnny_at_the_beach typed:

I just want to shout out to Trev and Slich.

Russ:

Hope you are not too hung over from your birthday yesterday, Captain.

Okay, can anybody gimme any background on this little conversation?

Speaking of partying, Russ's annual picnic is Sunday August 13th (he flubbed the date on it at first, heh)from 10 to 12 at Lakeview Park in Middleton, and then again from 3 to 5 at Grant Park in Milwaukee. I envy any cheesehead Kossacks who get to go!

Also, he is going to be on This Week With George Stephanopoulos this Sunday. Check your local ABC listings.