This Rasmussen survey shows just why Feingold is advocating censure:

When we initially asked if people had a favorable or an unfavorable opinion of Feingold, his name recognition was very low--15% favorable and 23% unfavorable. After asking questions about censure and informing respondents that Feingold was the advocate, his numbers jumped to 32% favorable and 41% unfavorable.

Advocating censure does offer a boost for Feingold within the Democratic Party. Initially, 22% of Democrats had a favorable opinion of him while 16% had an unfavorable opinion. However, knowing he advocates censure, Feingold's numbers within his own party jumped to 52% favorable and 14% unfavorable.

Now, this is a survey of 1,000 adults, as opposed to a survey of 1,000 registered voters, or 1,000 likely voters. Adults are much less likely to vote, but at least Rasmussen got the demographics right - 37% GOP, 37% Democrat and 26% unaffiliated (would that the rest of the pollsters could do this simple trick - you know, make a fair poll). Because, in this survey, 52% of Democratic adults have a favorable view of the Feingold proposal doesn't mean that 52% of the Democrats who'll show up to vote in November will have a favorable view of Feingold and his censure.

Of course, my view is that the actual number of Democrats pleased with Fiengold far exceeds 52%.

It is the further left one goes that you find the strongest advocates of defeat in Iraq and impeachment of the President - and these people rule the nominating roost for the Democrats in 2008...so, all Feingold was doing which is censure motion is playing up to the Democratic base.

Really rather pathetic, if you ask me.

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