WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Democrats distanced themselves Monday from Wisconsin Sen. Russell Feingold’s effort to censure President Bush over domestic spying, preventing a floor vote that could alienate swing voters.

A day of tough, election-year talk between Feingold and Vice President Dick Cheney ended with Senate leaders sending the matter to the Judiciary Committee.

Republicans dared Democrats to vote for the proposal.

“Some Democrats in Congress have decided the president is the enemy,” Cheney told a Republican audience in Feingold’s home state.

Feingold, a potential presidential candidate, said to the Senate, “The president has violated the law and Congress must respond.”