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John McCain pays tribute to departing Democrat Russ Feingold

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As lawmakers gathered at the White House in an attempt to forge compromise, the floor of the Senate was the scene of the kind of bipartisanship that, many feel, has been in short supply in Washington of late.

In a brief speech, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) paid tribute to a recently defeated colleague from across the aisle, calling Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) “one of the most admirable people I have ever met.”

“Without intending it as commentary on his successor, I think the Senate will be a much poorer place without Russ Feingold in it,” McCain said. “I know that in my next term I will experience fewer occasions of inspiration because of the departure of Russ Feingold, a man whose courage and dedication to the principles that guided his Senate service often inspired me.”

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Feingold and McCain famously cooperated on legislation meant to curb the influence of so-called soft money in campaigns. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act enacted in 2002 became known as McCain-Feingold.

Portions of that law were struck down in the 2009 decision on Citizens United vs. FEC, a ruling that spurred an avalanche of spending in the 2010 elections. Feingold was among the many Democrats who faced hostile advertising from third-party groups.

In his speech, McCain noted that he and Feingold could not be further apart on many issues, like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But where they agreed, particularly on campaign finance, “it was a privilege to fight alongside and not against” him, McCain said.

“We don’t often hear any more about members of Congress who distinguish themselves by having the courage of their convictions, who risk their personal interest for what they believe is in the public interest,” McCain said. “In his time in the Senate, Russ Feingold every day and in every way had the courage of his convictions.”

Feingold lost to Republican Ron Johnson in his reelection bid this year, a defeat that surprised many as most other Democratic incumbents survived their tough races. McCain, meanwhile, was easily reelected in Arizona.

mmemoli@tribune.com

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