Warren And Brown Limit Outside Spending

Republicans understand that the Elizabeth Warren candidacy poses real problems for them in Massachusetts so they are going to great lengths to try and neutralize her star-power and street appeal before she’s even the official challenger to Sen. Scott Brown. The result may be one of the best things that’s happened to the electoral process since Citizens United.

Both Brown and Warren have agreed to moves aimed at dissuading outside groups from pouring millions into the state by creating a financial penalty on the candidate who benefits from the presence of such “dark money.”

The latest proposal offered by the Warren camp includes a provision that has the campaign that benefits from dark money ads making a charitable contribution worth half of an ad’s cost, closes loopholes and limits outside “sham” ads if a group falsely claims to be a supporter.

Make no mistake about it, limiting outside spending is as much a benefit to Brown as it is to Warren. In fact, it may be a bigger benefit to Brown since Warren’s campaign has become a flashpoint for progressive groups and spending intent on winning the Senate seat back and sending a genuine advocate to Washington.

More importantly though, it shows the power a principled challenger can bring to an election. Plenty of politicians pearl-clutch over the impact of Citizens United but complain that they are helpless to do anything about it. Brown and Warren have shown that in the short-term that is simply not true, and it is the citizens of Massachusetts who will truly benefit most.

Brown Raises Funds While Warren Shakes Hands

Photo from david_shankbone via flickr.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Hope S.

10:57PM PST on Jan 27, 2012

We need more like Elizabeth Warren in Congress. Hope she wins.

send a green star

Lynn C.

8:02PM PST on Jan 26, 2012

This is one race I hope that honesty, honor, and hard work will outrun big bucks and bull s**.

Robert O.

2:55PM PST on Jan 26, 2012

"More importantly though, it shows the power a principled challenger can bring to an election."

My thoughts exactly. Wouldn't it be great if we had more good people like this, willing to run for our benefit? Wouldn't it be great if we just stopped the personal attacks?

Amie K.

10:38AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Elizabeth Warren is truly a class act! She doesn't just spout rhetoric - she actually follows through and demonstrates her beliefs through her actions. We sure could use a few hundred of her in Washington...

Alexandra R.

5:13PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

Dear Jean W. Thank you for this analysis. the Hydra was a destructive, poisonous and terrifying beast. Because it grew two heads for each one cut off. It is a good symbol of the power tactics of the 0.1%. They seem invincible.
Still, Heracles killed the Hydra with the help of Iolaus, who advised to scorch each neck stump.
With something as hideous as Citizens United, America will surely produce a Heracles or two to cut off all its heads and cauterize the necks.
What is happening in Massachusetts is an attempt to do this. No doubt it may fail, but if it does, people still need to struggle to undo this evil, even if it is by changing the constitution.

Deb M.

3:54PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

You can say whatever you want in hopes the voters think it is honestly your view but the truth is either one of these candidates could be saying they are against saturation of the airwaves with negative ads but behind closed doors they are safe because they can lay blame at the feet of the PACs and super PACs. The candidate has NO control over what they do with their money.

Eddie O.

12:34PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

I totally support Elizabeth Warren as well, and deeply hope she can win this election for the sake of the people. We certainly need many more people with integrity, like her, to stand up for the common people. Thank you Elizabeth!

Kathryn E.

9:57AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

I wish all candidates would take this approach.

Marilyn J L.

9:00AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

The more I hear about this woman, the more I like her.

Steve R.

8:44AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

Hmmm - "a charitable contribution worth half of an ad’s cost"....

Out of their own pockets, or out of campaign contributions?

Not sure if the latter would be legal. Not sure if the former would be affordable to either candidate.

It's a bunch of political posturing - and the first to break the rules would be the "progressive" movements, because we know how frantic they are with the prospect of losing control of the White House and the Senate in November.

Plus - Brown is the incumbent - and we know how difficult it is to unseat incumbents - unless they're called "Alan Grayson".