Rumors Persist: Will Feingold Take on Obama in 2012?

|| Will Feingold challenge Obama in the Democrat's 2012 primary? ||

Challenge From The Left.

Although a loser in his 2010 Senate race,

Three term Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold remains a hero among Progressives.

Will leaders on the left, who are disappointed with Obama, encourage Feingold to run against the President in 2012?

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on Thursday became the latest person to float the idea that outgoing Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold may launch a primary challenge against President Obama in 2012.

“I like Russ, and he may run against Obama in 2012,” Graham told conservative radio show host Laura Ingraham.

There has been some speculation since Feingold lost his re-election bid last month that the three-term senator may challenge mount a challenge to Obama from the left. Most of the chatter has centered on Feingold’s Election Night concession speech, in which he told supporters,

“So, it’s on to the next fight.  It’s on to the next battle.  It’s on to 2012.  And it is on to our next adventure – forward!“

So far, Feingold’s office is denying the persistent rumors.

“Senator Feingold is not running for President in 2012,” a Feingold spokesperson said.  “Any suggestion he is thinking of running, planning to run, or interested in running is untrue.  Senator Feingold is a strong supporter of President Barack Obama and wants to see him reelected in 2012.”

But Feingold himself is not coming out and denying the rumors.

Which leads one to believe,

If they ask, he will run.