Feingold clicks with blog fans

Craig Gilbert reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In an online poll last month on the nation's most widely read liberal blog (DailyKos.com), Feingold led the Democratic presidential field, picked by 30% of the 11,000-plus people who visited the Web site and voted.

He definitely is the most popular Democrat among the 'netroots,' " said liberal blogger Chris Bowers, referring to activists in the party who engage in online politics.

Bowers' blog (MyDD.com) did its own online poll in early February, and Feingold led that as well. ...

The question is whether this can be translated into broader support.

The recent Gallup Poll asked Democratic voters to choose from Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, John Edwards, Mark Warner and Joe Biden. Clinton led easily with 39%. The survey didn't ask about Feingold, although 1% volunteered his name. In a December poll of Democrats by Cook Political Report/RT Strategies that included Feingold in its list, the senator received 4%, in a tie with two others behind Clinton, Kerry, Edwards and Biden.