Russ Feingold calls on Sen. Ron Johnson to sign anti-super PAC “Badger Pledge”

Earlier today Democrat Russ Feingold signed the Badger Pledge and asked Sen. Ron Johnson to sign as well. The Badger Pledge, which is modeled after the successful bipartisan agreement used in the 2012 Massachusetts Senate race, would seek to limit the amount of third-party spending in Wisconsin’s 2016 U.S. Senate race.

Here’s what the agreement entails:

  • If a third-party organization airs or publishes any independent expenditure advertisement on TV, radio, or online that supports or promotes either specified candidate, the supported candidate’s campaign shall pay 50% of the cost of the advertisement buy to a charity of the opposing candidate’s choice.
  • If a third-party organization airs or publishes any independent expenditure advertisement on TV, radio, or online that attacks or opposes either specified candidate, the opposing candidate’s campaign shall pay 50% of the cost of the advertisement buy to a charity of the opposed candidate’s choice.
  • If a third-party organization airs or publishes any issue advocacy advertisement on TV, radio, or online, which does not include “express advocacy,” but does otherwise support or promote either specified candidate, the supported candidate’s campaign shall pay 50% of the cost of the advertisement buy to a charity of the opposing candidate’s choice.
  • If a third-party organization airs or publishes any issue advocacy advertisement on TV, radio, or online, which does not include “express advocacy,” but does otherwise attack or oppose either specified candidate, the opposing candidate’s campaign shall pay 50% of the cost of the advertisement buy to a charity of the opposed candidate’s choice.
  • The candidates agree not to coordinate with any third party on any issue advocacy advertisements for the duration of the 2016 election cycle. In the event that either candidate coordinates any issue advocacy advertisement with a third-party organization that candidate’s campaign shall pay 50% of the cost of the ad buy to a charity of the opposing candidate’s choice.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has also called for Sen. Johnson to sign the Badger Pledge, with DPW Chair Martha Laning issuing the following statement.

“As I talk to voters all over the state, whether it’s a Democrat who owns a small business or a Republican community leader, I’ve never once heard someone say they want to see in our elections more mudslinging from third parties funded by unlimited, anonymous donations,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said Friday. “That’s why I’m calling on Ron Johnson to join Russ Feingold in signing the Badger Pledge — there is broad bipartisan support for limiting the influence of money in politics. I hope Ron Johnson is committed to keeping the Senate race focused on the issues that matter to Wisconsinites.”

I think it’s safe to assume Sen. Johnson will absolutely not sign the Badger Pledge, though I would be pleasantly surprised if he did.

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2 thoughts on “Russ Feingold calls on Sen. Ron Johnson to sign anti-super PAC “Badger Pledge”

  1. No one with a right mind would sign this. Not after Obama pulled that crap on McCain.

  2. Five years ago Feingold complained that Ron Johnson out spent him 8-1 and he couldn’t compete. Feingold is doing the exact same thing this time. Ron Johnson will beat him and Wisconsin will be stuck with Johnson for another 6 years. Feingolds stupid principles will cost the the democrats a senate seat. Tell Feingold it’s all about the money and if he doesn’t want to play he shouldn’t run. And the Badger pledge is childish.

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