"Mr. Clean" Senator Russ Feingold wishes he had a Magic Eraser for yet another question on his campaign finance reform hypocrisy this week.
ANCHOR: “You’re now taking more contributions from outside Wisconsin, kind of a switch from your garage door pledge dating back to 1992 to get the majority from in-state. Why the change?"
SENATOR FEINGOLD: “Well, you know my original pledge in 1992, for that election, was based on the law at the time and I was able to do that for several elections, offering the people of the state a contract, saying if you hire me, this is what I’ll do…” (Wisconsin Public Television, 8/28/2015)
Senator Feingold is now admitting he has broken promise after promise he made to Wisconsin families. 61% of Senator Feingold’s itemized donations from this past fundraising quarter were from donors outside the State of Wisconsin.
Feingold Flashback:
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)
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.” (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)
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)