Russ Feingold: Total Bon Iver groupie

Here at Decider, we don’t venture far into the teeming cesspool that is modern political commentary. If we do offer up our opinions publicly, we keep them pithy, snarky, and noncommittal. But we have to make an exception in the case of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, who we like to think of as the cool uncle we never had. You know, a guy who probably breaks out a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses and jams out to some Doobie Brothers in the basement every now and then.

Actually, we’re probably not giving Feingold enough credit—his taste in music is actually pretty hip, according to the “Fein Tunes” feature on his official web site. Apparently, when Feingold isn’t patiently listening to constituents complain about Barack Obama turning our country into a socialist hippie dictatorship, he’s soliciting music suggestions. And his latest fave is none other than Wisconsin’s own indie folk sensation Bon Iver.

Not that we doubt Feingold’s sincerity, but Decider wonders if Feingold has actually listened to Bon Iver’s great but crushingly sad 2008 debut For Emma, Forever Ago. It’s not exactly “upbeat” music you play when you want to get “pumped up” for a political rally. That is, unless the rally involves laying around for hours in a depressed haze before finally, mercifully, slitting your wrists. Still, Feingold seems well-versed in the record's Into The Wild-style back story. And considering how tone-deaf politicians usually are when it comes to art, it’s nice to see someone in power in the ballpark of having a clue. Here is Bon Iver performing "Skinny Love" on The Late Show With David Letterman.