Feingold not running in 2012 because…Democrats won the recall elections?

Wisconsin’s Democrats have been spinning the results of Wisconsin’s recent recall elections, calling them Proof! that Republicans are out of touch, Scott Walker is hated by the masses, and unionista liberal Democrat policies are what the people really want.

Big Mo is on their side, say the Democrat/liberal pundits! They’re winning! Just like Charlie Sheen!

Naturally, that kind of momentum and popular love would lead to:

Democrat Russ Feingold has decided he will not be a candidate for political office next year, taking himself out of the running in 2012 for either U.S. senator or for governor in the event Democrats force a recall election against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

In an email going out to supporters early Friday morning, Feingold called it a difficult decision but said he wanted to devote his time to teaching full time at Marquette Law School, finishing the book he is writing on the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attacks and leading the political committee he founded, Progressives United.

If the Democrats have a superhero on their side, it’s Russ Feingold. He’s their best, biggest, brightest star, period. There isn’t really even a second-place. And while 2012 wouldn’t be a shoo-in, even for him, even against the Hated Scott Walker, he’d hardly be a sacrificial lamb.

If he can’t beat whomever the Republicans put up for U.S. Senate…if he can’t beat Governor Walker in any recall election that might occur…

…well, then nobody can. So the question is: why doesn’t he think he can win? Because I don’t believe this hooey about him wanting to “devote his time” to teaching and writing and activism. Not for one second.

More at Memeorandum.
Ed Morrissey thinks it’s just too close to the 2012 election, time-wise.
Bill Jacobson thinks Democrats will get the signatures to recall Walker, which makes Feingold’s decision even odder.
And Moe Lane says: “Russ Feingold’s just running away.”