Feingold: Sotomayor proves 'elections matter'

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold used his meeting with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to illustrate to Dems that "elections matter."

"We made it possible for this president, with his tremendous understanding of the law, to nominate a justice like Judge Sotomayor," Feingold said, calling her "the next Supreme Court justice."

While calling President Obama's speech in Cairo "one of the greatest speeches I've ever seen in my life," Feingold also said Obama should remove protections for attorneys who cleared torture in the Bush administration, as well as discourage "prolonged detention."

Feingold praised Obama for committing to a public option in health care reform yesterday in Green Bay, saying "the pressure is working" on health care reform in 2009.

Lastly, Feingold asked for help from Dems who led landslide victories in 2006 and 2008, taking a shot at opponent David Westlake for a harsh campaign e-mail sent out this week.

"He says he's David and I'm Goliath," cracked the self-described 5-foot-9 Feingold. "I have never been called Goliath in my entire life."

Listen to the speech.

Watch the speech here.

-- By Andy Szal