The Journal Sentinel - Senate Candidates Spar On Role Of Campaign Outsiders

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But Feingold, Johnson both say they favor free speech

By Don Walker and Craig Gilbert of the Journal Sentinel

Both Ron Johnson and Russ Feingold say they are squarely in favor of free speech.

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."

John Kraus, Feingold's top strategist, says the campaign has asked other outside groups to stay away as well. Feingold has pushed Johnson in their debates to make a similar declaration. Johnson declined.

"I can ask that. Do you think they'll do it?" he said after the debate.

Johnson notes that Feingold is getting help from MoveOn.org., the liberal advocacy group. That group asked its members to donate money to Feingold's campaign, which produced an estimated $600,000 in individual contributions to Feingold.

But Ilyse Hogue, MoveOn's communications director, said last week that the group would not be running any ads on Feingold's behalf. And unlike some of the outside groups opposing Feingold in the race, MoveOn's donors are all disclosed.

Johnson agrees with Feingold that the current campaign financing landscape is a mess. But while Feingold wants tougher regulations, Johnson says the "McCain-Feingold" law his opponent co-authored has been part of the problem, serving the interests of incumbents and infringing on the free speech rights of groups and individuals. McCain-Feingold included restrictions on election-time ads by interest groups, though those rules have since been rolled back by the courts.

"For every group that you disagree with, in my case I'm not real nuts about MoveOn.org, but you've got a group on the other side. Or you've got the Sierra Club," Johnson said. "Individuals have the right to send their $25 donation into a cause they believe in. And those groups have every right to political speech. I wouldn't restrain that."

Should interest groups that air campaign ads have to disclose who is paying for them?

Feingold supports new disclosure requirements in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case that allowed corporations, unions and nonprofits to directly fund campaign ads. The disclosure issue is expected to come back before lawmakers in the future.

In an interview with the Journal Sentinel editorial board, Johnson was asked whether he would require transparency for outside groups active in campaigns.

"I would like to see total transparency. The same thing" as with the candidates, he said. "But at the same time we are talking about free speech."

Johnson was asked, "If I give to 'Americans for Great Things,' and I give a million dollars to them, should that organization be required to disclose that?"

His response: "It's an interesting question. It may be more complex than I'm thinking about it right now. My tendency is yes, particularly if then they're going to be using it in a political way. I can also see where people go, 'Well, if I'm going to give to a group maybe I don't want it (public).' I haven't totally thought that one through in terms of all groups."

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