Russ Feingold on why he is refusing Ad help from the DSCC

[book_worm]

"I don't want that kind of help. I consider it to be outside help of a kind that is uncontrolled and tends to believe in a philosophy of slash-and-burn politics. That's frankly not who I am. I don't want to win that way."

-- Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), in an interview with Walter Shapiro, explaining his refusal of ad support from the DSCC.

http://politicalwire.com/

Russ has integrity I will grant him that. Unfortunately the Johnson campaign and RSCC and other conservative pacs are on tv constantly defining this race--while Feingold is on more than he was he is still being swamped on the air-ways and he continues to show the same 2 ads--while Johnson is showing different ads. I'm not saying Russ isn't right, but I think I would allow the DSCC to air some ads if it meant preventing Ron Johnson from becoming US Senator.

[saltpoint]

1. Agree. Politics ain't pretty, and Ron Johnson is among

the least pretty options on any State ballot anywhere. He would make a monstrous public servant.

Russ needs to align with those who wish him well, strap on the heavy armor, and kick some butt in this Senate race.

[ProSense]

2. Russ may just pull this out, but this line of thinking makes no sense

Soft money comes from every 527, including labor organizations and groups like Move On.

Still, looking at Feingold's campaign finances, it seems contradictory

He's raised $781,000 in PAC contributions, including $55,000 from a pro-Israel PAC.

Sometimes Feingold's stances lead him to cut off his nose to spite his face. He did it when he voted for Roberts and more recently against Wall Street Reform. He thinks he's taking a progressive stance when all it amounts to is flawed idealism.

[FBaggins]

3. If he goes down... he goes down sticking to his principles

That's worthy of respect... though I sure wish he would win.

[ProSense]

4. After all the claims that the DSCC and DCCC don't support

enough progressive candidates, here is Feingold turning down support in a race that needs to be won.

[HughMoran]

22. Ironic.

[Dinger]

17. Ditto (nt)

[golfguru]

35. +1000

[Kdillard]

5. I hope Russ wins but I don't understand his reasoning.

[speppin]

6. Russ will not sell his soul as you appear to want him to do.

[The Uncola]

9. It's called having integrity.

It appears that it's a lost value to some people and that isn't just Teabaggers.

[JNelson6563]

10. And yet, if he loses

this country is more fucked for it. Thanks Russ! Good lookin' out!

Julie

[The Uncola]

12. It matters to..

.. people with integrity that in defeating assholes, you don't become an asshole.

Others?

Not so much. We used to call those Republicans.

[JNelson6563]

18. So accepting help from one's own caucus

makes one an asshole? Got it.

Julie

[The Uncola]

19. No.

Adopting the asshole tactics of those you are opposing or allowing it to be done in your name, makes you an asshole.

Did I really need to explain that to you?

[JNelson6563]

20. Uh-huh. I see.

So funny. Usually you and those who seem of like mind are gnashing teeth and donning sack-cloth because the Dems won't throw down and give the Rethugs shit right back. But if it's Feingold, well he's simply refusing to be an asshole.

Double standards much?

Julie

[The Uncola]

23. Assume much?

Apparently so. Bye

[JI7]

33. yup

[dionysus]

36. not accepting money from your own party when you're losing to a moron is, moronic.

[speppin]

14. He will go down fighting and will keep his soul.

[book_worm]

21. Yep, he will go down fighting and keeping his soul.

[Inuca]

27. Why on earth accepting

help from the DSCC, teh campaign arm of the group he is trying to get re-elected to, equate with losing his soul??? I am sure that if he found a specific DSCC ad objectionable for whatever reason he would have veto power over. I gave some money to teh DSCC, I want it to help D senators. I used to like Feingold a lot. Lately he has become.... weird.

[dionysus]

37. because these people are now apparently totally anti Democratic party?

:shrug:

[book_worm]

24. Hey I live here and I work 3 days per week for Feingold and have donated $ to his campaign

so don't tell me I have no integrity. I just happen to disagree with him on accepting help from the DSSS--and will have to deal with a Senator Ron Johnson if he's elected. Instead why don't you try disagreeing with me without being disagreeable--you might just like it and it may even make you feel better.

[dionysus]

38. congrats for the dumbest post i have seen in years.

[Mass]

7. Good for him. He wants to lead a local campaign. Airing ads from the DSCC would not do that.

[Inuca]

28. So you think that the DSCC should play no role

in any senatorial campaign?

[Mass]

29. I wished they would give and support from the candidates, but ads are often

poorly targeted for local races. Last January, their MA ads were about the healthcare reform. They seemed to have missed that we already had that reform and that people in MA had more pressing needs (like jobs, money from schools, ...). Granted, the candidate did not help, but these ads were filmed with voices clearly from out of state, and did not connect at all. I can understand Feingold not wanting them to air in a state where local issues are so important.

[zipplewrath]

8. I'll send him another $50

It'll be the $50 DSCC was asking for, and didn't get, the other day.

[felinetta]

11. Our focus must be: Keep Democrats in contorl of Senate. Whatever,

 (unfortunately) it takes.

[CreekDog]

13. none of this is about protecting his dignity or his values

it should be about protecting those who are at stake should he lose.

but he's willing to throw that overboard to avoid a negative ad.

:thumbsdown:

[Bodhi BloodWave]

15. slight correction of your last line

but he's willing to throw that overboard to avoid a "potentially" negative ad.

[denimgirly]

16. Russ, i love you, but even i think u need to take it

Russ doesn't sell out and is quite possibly one of 3 or 4 remaining democrats who have not sold their soul to special interests and for that he's got my $$ but i honestly think its suicide to not get support from DSCC. For the greater good of being one of the few remaining progressives i think he needs to do anything at this point.

[Arkana]

25. Never mind.

[AtomicKitten]

26. Umkay. This decision has nothing to do with integrity, it's just plain dumb. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

31. When you've staked a large part of your reputation on campaign finance reform, not necessarily

Russ is refusing help that was previously illegal under a law that he co-authored until parts of it were struck down in Citizens United. The cost of accepting DSCC ads for him may outweigh the benefits when his opponent can rightfully label him a hypocrite.

[AtomicKitten]

39. Russ is too far down in polling to afford the luxury of worrying about appearance. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

30. Russ is also probably betting that his reputation for integrity is worth more than DSCC ads

Russ isn't just doing this because he doesn't like outside ads, he's doing this because it's his strategy to win. Not necessarily the right strategy, but it's a strategy.

[karynnj]

40. I think you are on to something - if this gets a lot of notice, that notice

might be worth more than the ads. After all Feingold is well known and this spotlights the image he has always been comfortable with.

[JI7]

32. Maybe Hillary Clinton was right when she said he was Naive

hopefully he can prove everyone wrong.

[JI7]

34. So if Feingold Accepts DSCC money he will "Lose his Soul" ??????/

hahahha