Definition : = Russ Feingold is a hero, he is the embodiment of a very specific kind of civic heroism. He has used his  voice to challenge the pernicious cult of self-aggrandizing presidential  power and the self-destructive myth of American Exceptionalism. He stands above all contemporary politicians as exemplifying the ethical as inherent to the very idea of constitutional governance, within the republican setting of tripartite power sharing. I'm quite sure Mr. Feingold would reject this notion of his being a hero but I like many of his fellow citizens, find him one of the outstanding political actors, civic actors of recent times. I hope that he continues to speak after he leaves the Senate. His is a critical voice in defense of the Republic.