As the Associated Press reports, today marks National Flip Flop Day. To celebrate, Mr. Clean has spent the past six years becoming everything he despised during the previous eighteen.
1992 Garage Door Pledge
FEINGOLD FLIP:
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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.” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
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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.” (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.” (Dunstan McNichol, “Day-One Fundraiser ‘Part Of What Goes On Here,’ Feingold Says,” States News Service, 11/10/92)
FEINGOLD FLOP:
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PolitiFact, 10/28/15: "Russ Feingold Changes His Tune On Campaign Contributions…a Full Flop."
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The Washington Free Beacon, 4/5/16: "Nearly 70 Percent of Feingold’s Contributions Are Coming From Outside Wisconsin"
- Wisconsin State Journal, 3/13/16: "Feingold rakes in national money"
Dark Money
FEINGOLD FLIP:
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In 1998, Feingold Said “No Career, Including Mine, Is As Important As Breaking The Hold Of This System Of Legalized Bribery.” (R. W. Apple Jr. “Campaign Funds At Center Of Wisconsin Race,” The New York Times, 10/23/98)
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In 2010, Feingold Said He Would “Absolutely” Rather Lose Than See Outside Groups Airing Ads On His Behalf. (Ben Smith, “Russ Feingold’s Last Stand,” Politico, 10/31/10)
- In 2012, Feingold Said Democrats Who Embraced Super PACs Were “Dancing With The Devil.” (Sam Stein, “Russ Feingold: Obama Super PAC Reversal Will Lead To ‘A Legalized Abramoff System,’” The Huffington Post, 2/7/12)
FEINGOLD FLOP:
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The Daily Caller, 5/30/16: "Russ Feingold Flip-Flops His Stance On Dark Money"
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The Washington Free Beacon, 5/31/16: "Feingold Cozying Up to Dark Money Groups Despite Past Criticism"
- Wisconsin Watchdog, 6/10/16: "Captain Campaign Finance Reform, Russ Feingold, changes ‘dark money’ tune…a 180-degree turn on his principles in his pursuit of power…Feingold, as of last month, had effectively condoned at least $2 million in issue advocacy by six separate left-wing groups with dark money ties…"
Lobbyists
FEINGOLD FLIP:
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In 1992, Feingold’s Colleague In The Wisconsin State Senate Said Feingold Wouldn’t Even Accept A Cup Of Coffee From A Lobbyist.(Michael Abramowitz, “The Foreseen Rise Of Russ Feingold,” The Washington Post, 11/30/92)
- In A 2010 Campaign Ad, Feingold Called Himself “The Number One Enemy Of Washington Lobbyists.” (Russ Feingold For Senate, “New Feingold Campaign Ad: ‘Number One,’” Press Release, 10/5/10)
FEINGOLD FLOP:
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Roll Call, 11/13/15: "Supporters of Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold’s Senate campaign plan to welcome their candidate back to D.C. next week with a fundraiser at 201 Bar — a spot the former lawmaker once cited as a key place where influence is bought and sold."
- The Washington Free Beacon, 4/29/16: "Feingold Nears $400K in Bundled Lobbyist Contributions"
Speaking Fees / Honoraria
FEINGOLD FLIP:
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Feingold Said That Congress “Took A Big Step Forward” In Banning Honoraria In 1989. (Sen. Russ Feingold, Congressional Record, 9/20/00, p. S8809- S8810)
- Feingold Said “It Is Increasingly Difficult To Find Areas Of Public Life That Have Not Been Invaded By Private Interests With Deep Pockets And Policy Agendas. And That’s Why It Is More Important Than Ever That We Maintain The Ban On Judicial Honoraria.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, Op-Ed, “Passing Judgment On Honoraria,” Chicago Tribune, 9/27/00)
FEINGOLD FLOP:
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , 8/17/15: "Russ Feingold, critic of speaking fees as senator, cashed in out of office…Feingold didn’t hesitate to trade in on his time as a D.C. lawmaker by taking such fees as soon as he could."
- Wisconsin Watchdog, 8/20/15: "…Feingold took in more than $100,000 in speaking fees between February 2012 and June 2013, much of that money for discussions on the corrupting influence of money in politics."
Happy National Flip Flop Day, Senator Feingold!
This time next year, you’ll be able to celebrate by wearing some when you return to the beautiful beaches of California.