Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold gave President Barack Obama a grade for President Obama’s handling of state secrets during the president’s first 100 days in office, and the grade was a “D”:
Sen. Russ Feingold is giving President Barack Obama a “D” for the way he has handled state secrets in his first 100 days. Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, released his report card for Obama on issues pertaining to the “rule of law” since he took office.
Feingold gave Obama a failing grade for invoking the states secrets privilege in three cases so far. The state secrets privilege can be used to exclude evidence from legal cases when the government states that disclosing certain information could hurt national security.
“I think it’s overbroad,” Feingold said. “The fact that they would assert this privilege is troubling.”
Feingold gave Obama higher marks for renouncing torture and taking steps to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
Keep on watchdoggin’, Sen. Feingold!
And Feingold’s exactly right.
This is why I respect Sen. Feingold – because he isn’t afraid to call out members of his own party.