What is Russ Feingold running for in 2012? Nothing, it appears, after someone (the Associated Press) finally asked him directly what he meant when he mentioned 2012 on election night:
What I was saying was, people who care about our country should be concerned about re-electing Obama," he told The Associated Press. "I was trying to urge all of my supporters to understand that even though we had a bad night, we will have good night in 2012. There was no agenda regarding myself."
He also said he hoped Kohl runs for a fifth term, and denied that he planned a presidential bid in two years.
"I certainly would not do that. I support President Obama," he said. "There is no truth whatsoever that I have thought about that."
Plans and circumstances are always changing in politics, of course. But unless Feingold does or says something to the contrary, can we declare a moratorium on the speculation and rumors that he'll be on the ballot next year?