Russ Feingold Makes John McCain's Day

Either Russ Feingold is the most naive politician in America, or he just doesn't care who wins in November.

He says that he's for Obama but is out there calling John McCain a "maverick by nature" and saying "the notion that somehow (McCain) is going to get in there and be some kind of ideological Newt Gingrich right-winger is a joke. There's no way that he would do that."

It gets better. Here's some more choice Feingoldisms on McCain:

• "He's a very good legislator from my point of view, because when he gets onto something, he doesn't just want to introduce a bill, he likes to move it. And he's fearless."
• "He's a great guy to fight an uphill battle with legislatively. He keeps his word. . . . I probably shouldn't be saying this stuff, but to be honest about it, it was one of the better professional experiences I've ever had in my life."
• "He does seem much more tight and less fun than he was in the 2000 campaign. I worry for his sake - though I'm supporting his opponent - that his handlers are constraining him too much."
• "It's unfair, because McCain's a blast. He's fun to be around. He's certainly young in spirit. He's actually very young in energy."
• "Yes, he shows temper. But he burns fast, and he doesn't let it cloud his judgment. He would not be a loose cannon in the Oval Office. It's not like he's going to pick up the red phone in a rage."
• "He is not a guy who wants to be chummy-chummy with political leaders of the party. He doesn't like that sort of constraint. He's an independent. So he somehow managed to become the nominee of the Republican Party. But we all know it's not because he was somebody that was kissing up to the Republican establishment, to say the least."

Can you imagine if Hillary Clinton had said these things?

Call me cynical, but this sounds like Ross Feingold is more interested in getting reelected in 2010 than helping Democrats retake The White House in 2008.

h/t: Jonathan Martin