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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsElizabeth Warren, Scott Brown sign a ban on super PAC campaign ads in their Massachusetts race
The 2012 elections will undoubtedly see an unprecedented injection of third-party influence, thanks to the Citizens United ruling and the subsequent advent of super PACs, and now, super super PACS groups that not only raise mega cash to promote candidates, but give money to candidates campaigns directly.
Attempting to stem the tide of undue influence, Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren (D) and her opponent Sen. Scott Brown (R) signed a ban on third-party ads. Brown had sent Warren two previous proposals but Warren objected to some of the loopholes that remained. Warren sent back a signed proposals with clarifications to make it stronger. The ad ban is designed to control what is already prodigious outside spending on the race. By some projections, the campaign could cost at least $60 million with at least $20 million being spent by special interest groups with an interest in the outcome.
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/23/409141/elizabeth-warren-sen-scott-brown-sign-a-ban-on-super-pac-campaign-ads-in-their-massachusetts-race/
msongs
(67,406 posts)rfranklin
(13,200 posts)Isn't that the Citizens United model?
northoftheborder
(7,572 posts)If they are truly separate and independent, then what control do the candidates have over them?? This makes Colbert's campaign even more significant.
meegbear
(25,438 posts)Be nice not to be flooded with nonstop bullshit everyday.
MGKrebs
(8,138 posts)"Brown said his campaign would have to donate 50 percent of the value of any spending on his behalf to a charity of Warrens choice, and she would have to do the same to a charity of his choosing if he was targeted with an outside ad benefitting her."
(Seems unlikely to actually happen. Loser won't have any money or any reason to comply. Winner only has to deal with potential whining by a future opponent.)
More:
"His campaign manager immediately targeted online ads being paid for by RethinkBrown, a pro-Warren super PAC run by former aides to Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat like Warren"
"Pro-Warren groups have already outspent pro-Brown groups by about 3-to-1 in Massachusetts, an alarming trend for Brown, whose party is in the minority in the state."
http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2012/01/scott-brown-elizabeth-warren-battle-for-campaign-public-relations-high-ground/uzas6dzj6PiBxNJDGyKQaP/index.html