After being exposed for his embarrassing instructions to downplay his political career, Senator Feingold must have forgotten to send that memo to his new Washington friends at the DSCC.
The Capital Times reported this morning that the DSCC is calling him “Senator” in a fundraising letter:
- Last month, newly elected Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairwoman Martha Laning told Democrats in Door County that Feingold’s campaign is trying to downplay his 18 years in the Senate by encouraging supporters to call him "Russ," not "Senator," and to avoid using the phrase "go back" to Washington…a fundraising letter sent to supporters in August by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, signed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. "If we pick up just four seats, we take back the majority. Some really incredible Democrats are already stepping up to run," the letter reads. "In Wisconsin, former Senator Russ Feingold — a strong and steadfast voice for the values we share — is running to return to the Senate in 2016."
BACKGROUND:
In 2010, Feingold Wrote The DSCC Asking Them To Not Air Ads On His Behalf Saying “Wisconsinites Do Not Appreciate Outside Groups Coming In To Our State Running Negative Ads.” “But on the role of outside interest groups in campaigns, there are differences. Feingold has decried their role in the advertising wars that figure so prominently in statewide elections. Early last month, just as he has in previous campaigns, he took the step of writing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and asked leadership not to run ads on his behalf in Wisconsin. ‘Wisconsinites do not appreciate outside groups coming in to our state running negative ads,’ Feingold wrote. ‘This strategy, being well used by our opponents, is out of touch with our Wisconsin traditions. That is why I am insisting that all outside groups refrain from running television ads in my behalf.’” (Don Walker and Craig Gilbert, “Senate Candidates Spar On Role Of Campaign Outsiders,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/18/10)
In 1998, Feingold Ordered The DSCC To “Get The Hell Out Of My State” With Their Ads. “A week ago, Feingold clashed with Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) and Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who wanted to pump $425,000 worth of Democratic ‘issue’ ads into the state to boost Feingold’s shaky prospects. Feingold ordered the national Democrats to ‘get the hell out of my state with those things.’” (Eric Pianin, “A Candidate’s Costly Pledge On Donations,” The Washington Post, 10/31/98)