Feingold back in fold

Whatever he was saying yesterday to folks in Milwaukee, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., apparently is back on board in supporting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Feingold told local TV stations he was uncertain whether Reid should relinquish his leadership post in the wake of a race-tinged remark the Nevadan made two years ago that came to light over the weekend in a new book.

"We're going to be getting together as a caucus next week and the topic will come up. I have not decided whether these comments merit that or not. They're very unfortunate. They should have never been said. So, I need to think about it," Feingold told the TV station.

Feingold was the only Democrat to publicly question Reid, who worked furiously over the weekend to apologize for what he said, and to shore up his standing with fellow senators, the White House and the African American community.

But today, aides to both Reid and Feingold say the matter is old news, and Feingold is back in the fold. The development first was reported by Nevada uber-pundit Jon Ralston.

"His office spoke with our office," confirmed Reid spokesman Jon Summers.

"I can confirm for you....Senator Feingold supports Senator Reid as majority leader," came an email from Feingold's office.

Hard to know what happened in the overnight hours between Feingold's initial comment and his about-face. For instance, did Reid staff call Feingold staff to demand what the heck was going on with their boss? Or did Feingold and/or his staff come to think they should back down? Or something else?