Last night, in a stunning admission, Russ Feingold told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is willfully breaking his number one garage door promise…. because he thinks it’s outdated!
- Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold said Thursday he will not operate in this campaign by the pledge he made in past races to raise the majority of his money from Wisconsinites.
- "It makes no sense now," Feingold said in an interview, noting court rulings in recent years have transformed the political system, producing an "insanity" of huge, undisclosed contributions that are swamping elections.
In a 2010 sequel to his garage door ad, Feingold said, “Not much has changed today. I still live in the same house, and I continue to always keep my promise to put the people of Wisconsin ahead of any party or corporate interest.”
- FEINGOLD 2010 GARAGE DOOR AD: “Back when I first ran for the Senate, I said I would shoot straight, be independent, and fight for Wisconsin. I promised to stay connected to home. I was just a Middleton guy, running against multi-millionaires with lots of TV ads. Not much has changed today. I still live in the same house, and I continue to always keep my promise to put the people of Wisconsin ahead of any party or corporate interest.”
[youtube url = "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMV6qZEq76M"]
Five years later, in a desperate attempt to continue his career as a politician, Feingold is intentionally breaking his promise to the people of Wisconsin, and raising the majority of his campaign funds from out-of-state donors.
In a 1992 debate, Feingold said, “I’ve never had a problem with people trusting me. I’ve never had a problem with my word.”
After more than 20 years in Washington, it’s clear Russ Feingold’s word isn’t worth the garage door it’s painted on.
BACKGROUND:
In A Famous 1992 Campaign Ad, Russ Feingold Pledged “I Will Rely On Wisconsin Citizens, Not Out-Of-Staters To Pay For This Campaign.” FEINGOLD AD: “I’m just the opposite. I visited Washington, DC, but I live right here in Middleton, Wisconsin. And if you elect me, I’ll continue to live right here. That’s one of the three pledges I made when I decided to run for the United States Senate. They’re all here in writing on my garage doors. The other two are that I will rely on Wisconsin citizens, not out-of-staters to pay for this campaign, and I’ll accept no pay raise during my six year term in office.” (Feingold “Home Movies” Ad, 1992)
In 1992, Feingold Said “I Don’t Think There’s Anything Wrong With Occasional Out-Of-State Campaign Contributions. But You Better Darn Well Make Sure That A Majority Of What You Receive Is From The People Whom You Would Represent.” FEINGOLD: “I think campaign finance reform begins at home. Yes, you do have to try to pass the national legislation, and I would favor a national bill requiring the majority of your campaign contributions come from your own state. But all three of us had an opportunity in this campaign to choose to run our campaign as we wish, and I decided to put some limitations of my own, which I think are more important than the ones Mr. Checota has suggested. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with certain political action committee contributions. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with occasional out-of-state campaign contributions. But you better darn well make sure that a majority of what you receive is from the people whom you would represent.” MODERATOR: “But that’s rather self-serving, is it not? You’re saying that because you’re a Dane County state legislator, you don’t have the contacts that Mr. Moody has?” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
Feingold Said “It Would Be Much Easier To Raise Large Contributions Outside Of The State Because People Have More Money.” FEINGOLD: “It would be much easier to raise large contributions outside of the state because people have more money.” MODERATOR: “By an unknown state legislator, it would be easy to do?” FEINGOLD: “I think it would be much easier. That’s, in fact, a situation that a lot of people have tried to do. And I saw the result of that would be something that I thought would be inappropriate for this campaign.” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
Feingold Said “That’s A Pledge I’m Going To Keep. I’m Not Going To Get In There And Go, ‘OK, Where Are The PACs And Where Are The Out-Of-State Contributions?’ I’m Making A Pledge For The Future.” FEINGOLD: “And it’s not self-serving because I’m promising it for the future. I’m saying that’s a pledge I’m going to keep. I’m not going to get in there and go, ‘OK, where are the PACs and where are the out-of-state contributions?’ I’m making a pledge for the future.” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
After His Election In 1992, Feingold Said “I Have Committed To Raising A Majority Of My Contributions From Wisconsin Citizens. … That’s Something I’ve Done To Make Sure I Don’t Get Consumed By It.” “But Feingold said he was determined to keep fund-raising in perspective. ‘I have committed to raising a majority of my contributions from Wisconsin citizens,’ Feingold said during an interview on Tuesday. ‘That’s something I’ve done to make sure I don’t get consumed by it.’” (Dunstan McNichol, “Day-One Fundraiser ‘Part Of What Goes On Here,’ Feingold Says,” States News Service, 11/10/92)