U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold said Saturday he supports the movementwithin the Senate to pass a health care bill with a public optionunder reconciliation rules, which require a simple majority withouta filibuster.

“According to the estimates, the public option was going to save$25 billion,” Feingold said, by competing with high insurancecompany premiums.

About 100 people gathered in the La Crosse Democratic campaignheadquarters at 116 fifth Ave. S. to hear Feingold talk abouthealth care, the federal deficit and the recent U.S. Supreme Courtdecision that overturned a 63-year ban on corporations financingcampaign ads.

In a case involving the use of corporate money to produce ananti-Hillary Clinton film during the 2008 presidential primaryseason, the justices in a 5-4 decision said corporations and unionshave the same free speech rights as individuals.

Feingold, who is seeking re-election in November, called it a”lawless and activist” ruling that would lead to more big-moneyinfluence on campaigns.

“You go out and buy a gallon of gas from Exxon, and they cantake that and spend it on advertisements that probably won’t agreewith you,” he said.

“The polls are saying 2 to 1 that the Republican Party’sendorsement of this decision is the wrong decision,” Feingold said.”Even the Tea Party people are saying, ‘Wait a minute, do we reallywant foreign corporations creating American shells and spending alltheir money on campaigns?’”

Feingold also called Saturday for passing a jobs tax credit”that actually makes sure that any employer, large or small, thatadds hours or wages or new workers gets some kind of temporary taxcredit for a couple of years to help stimulate the economy.”

Republicans have been determined not to allow any Democraticinitiatives to succeed, Feingold said.

“We know the strategy they are using is very simple – they sayabsolutely no to everything.”

Feingold has Republican opposition from Madison developerTerrence Wall and Watertown business owner Dave Westlake, who willface off in a September GOP primary. a Rasmussen Reports poll thisweek showed Feingold leading both opponents but trailing if formergovernor Tommy Thompson were to enter the race. Thompson has notruled out a possible run.