Much Ado

An advisory referendum calling for an immediate pullout of the troops in Iraq is on the spring ballot in a few Wisconsin communities.

The Trib hypes it on the front page as the beginning of a "movement" (be still those aging hippie hearts), but it is largely confined to a couple of university towns and Door county, where it may get the retired-rich-liberal vote out, though the county went for Bush.

Perhaps not surprisingly Milwaukee is not participating. Some of their most active liberals have been on trial for slashing tires on Republican voter vans in the last election.

I grew up in Wisconsin. The state has a fondness for independent politicians like Bob LaFollette and Bill Proxmire. Democrat Sen. Feingold is a bit in that tradition. This effort by two leftist groups purposely draws attention to his anti-war stance but won't do much for his presidential aspirations in 2008 beyond the fringe.

And yes, do a google search on the gentleman in the Trib story, and up he pops listed as a longtime Feingold for Senate supporter.