Fresh off of his illegal straw donor scandal and sudden embrace of super PACs – a practice he likened to “dancing with the devil,” the self-described “number one enemy of Washington lobbyists” just got busted for eroding into their number one fan:

Russ Feingold, the Democratic senate candidate challenging Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R.), has accepted $700,000 in contributions bundled by lobbyists this election cycle…During Feingold’s 18-year stint in the U.S. Senate, he positioned himself on the forefront of campaign finance reform battles that included stricter disclosures from lobbyist bundlers.

The state senator who wouldn’t even accept a cup of coffee from lobbyists in 1992 is now relying on their checkbooks in 2016.

As a reminder, here’s how the godfather of campaign finance reform used to feel about lobbyists before he launched an eighth bid for political office:

  • 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 2007, Feingold Said “Our Priority Must Be To Convince Our Constituents That We Are Here To Advocate Their Best Interests, Not Those Of Well-Connected Lobbyists.” (Jeff Zeleny and Carl Hulse, “Congress Backs Tighter Rules On Lobbying,” The New York Times, 8/3/07)
  • In 2007, Feingold Said “The Public Is Well Aware That Washington Lobbyists Have Too Much Influence In Congress.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, “Sen. Feingold Issues Statement On Landmark Lobbying And Ethics Reform Bill Becoming Law,” Press Release, 9/14/07)
  • 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)

What are well-connected Washington lobbyists – the new owners of Senator Russ Feingold’s principles, expecting in return for their $700K?

In case you missed it, read more about Mr. Clean Russ Feingold’s utter campaign finance hypocrisy:

Feingold Tops $700,000 in Bundled Lobbyist Contributions

The Washington Free Beacon

By Joe Schoffstall

November 2, 2016

http://bit.ly/2ffJkCc

Russ Feingold, the Democratic senate candidate challenging Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R.), has accepted $700,000 in contributions bundled by lobbyists this election cycle.

Recent documents filed with the Federal Election Commission by Feingold’s campaign committee show that the former Wisconsin senator has added another $210,000 in bundled lobbyist contributions since the beginning of July. These bundled contributions came from three left-wing groups that have supplied a constant flow of cash to Feingold’s campaign.

The J Street PAC, a liberal Middle East advocacy group critical of Israel, announced earlier this year that Johnson was one of its primary targets for the 2016 elections.

Feingold has now surpassed $700,000 in bundled lobbyist contributions this election cycle…Johnson’s campaign does not show any bundled contributions from lobbyists, according to FEC filings.

During Feingold’s 18-year stint in the U.S. Senate, he positioned himself on the forefront of campaign finance reform battles that included stricter disclosures from lobbyist bundlers.

“The public voted for change last November in part because it was sick and tired of the way Washington works. The final lobbying and ethics reform bill that Congress will consider this week is landmark legislation,” Feingold said in 2007. “It includes a strong lobbyist gift ban, tough new restrictions on privately funded travel and corporate jet flights, much needed additional disclosure of lobbying activities, unprecedented new disclosure of all of the ways that lobbyists provide financial support to members of Congress, including bundling campaign contributions, a provision to slow the revolving door between the halls of Congress and the lobbying world, and far-reaching earmark reform.”

Later, Feingold said that politicians should put the interests of their constituents before those of specials interests.

“Regardless of how reforms might impact us, our priority must be to convince our constituents that we are here to advocate their best interests, not those of well-connected lobbyists,” he said in August 2007. “Ethical conduct in government should be more than an aspiration. It should be a requirement.”

This election is not the first time Feingold has accepted lobbyist cash while railing against the influence of lobbyists. Feingold quietly accepted $200,000 in bundled lobbyist contributions before he was defeated by Johnson in 2010. He has also held numerous fundraisers at venues in Washington, D.C., where he said lobbyists go to buy influence.

Feingold’s campaign did not return a request for comment.

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