Lautenschlager Challenges Falk To Run A Clean Campaign

[russwallac]

This is rather interesting.

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=49307

A.G. Lautenschlager: Challenges Falk Regarding Clean Campaign
11/21/2005

Contact: Dan Bachhuber
Cell: 608.556.3609

Madison, WI ­ November 21, 2005 Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager today
challenged her Democratic opponent, Kathleen Falk, to a clean campaign
commitment during the Democratic primary election. ³Wisconsin voters want
this primary election to be based on our experiences, ideas and achievements
so they truly know who will be the strongest Democrat to take on the
Republican candidate in November, ³stated Democratic incumbent AG
Lautenschlager in a letter delivered today to Falk.

Lautenschlager challenged Falk on the following five points:

*Impose a $1 million spending cap for the Democratic primary campaign for
Attorney General;

*Raise 60% of campaign contributions in amounts of $200 or less;

*Discourage and denounce any outside organizations spending money to
influence the outcome of the primary election for Attorney General. If such
persuasion is unsuccessful, reduce the $1 million spending cap by any
amounts spent by national and state non-profit organizations such as 527s,
C-4s, and other outside groups which may seek to influence Wisconsin¹s
Democratic primary election process;

*Engage in an issue-oriented campaign to enlighten the public¹s knowledge
of where the candidates stand on the issues about which voters care in
lively debates held in the proud, progressive tradition of Robert
LaFollette;

*Support the merging of the Ethics and Elections Boards into a Public
Accountability Board similar to that proposed by Republican State Senator
Mike Ellis (SB1), which would include a proviso that the Office of the
Attorney General has prosecutorial input to the process.

Lautenschlager closed her letter to Falk: ³If you agree with me that
Democratic primary voters of Wisconsin expect and deserve a campaign focused
on our respective qualifications for the job, issues that matter to voters,
genuine differences between the two of us, and not a campaign dominated by
unknown and unaccountable outside groups, please acknowledge this by signing
the letter.²

[RevCheesehead]

1. Ooooh! Just enough of a challenge,

and just a hint of a threat. This wii be fun to watch! :popcorn:

[russwallac]

2. Falk Responds...

...and basically says as long as it isn't illegal it's OK.

Gotta love that attitude. It's sure helped Dems get where we are in Wisconsin today.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From the Capital Tomes:
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/index.php?ntid=62479&ntpid=1

Falk won't play by rival's rules
Cold reception for 'clean' race

By David Callender
November 22, 2005

With the primary election still 10 months off, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager is challenging fellow Democrat Kathleen Falk to commit to ground rules for their race.

This morning a Falk campaign spokeswoman said no to most of them.

In a letter to Falk released Monday, Lautenschlager proposed that the two abide by a set of "clean campaign" pledges, including:

• Limiting their campaign spending to $1 million each.

• Raising at least 60 percent of their respective campaign contributions from donors who give no more than $200.

• Discouraging and denouncing ads by so-called "independent" groups that support or oppose either candidate. State law already prohibits candidates and their campaigns from coordinating their ads with such outside groups.

• Engaging in an "issue-oriented campaign to enlighten the public's knowledge about which voters care in lively debates held in the proud, progressive tradition of Robert La Follette."

• Supporting the merger of the state Ethics Board and Elections Board into a new Government Accountability Board.

Lautenschlager said that Democratic primary voters "expect and deserve a campaign focused on our respective qualifications for the job ... (and) genuine differences between the two of us, ... not a campaign dominated by unknown and unaccountable outside groups."

Falk's campaign spokeswoman, Melissa Mulliken, said today that Falk had promised to run a "clean, issue-oriented campaign" when she announced her candidacy earlier this month.

She said Lautenschlager responded by immediately denouncing Falk as unqualified by the office.

Mulliken indicated that Falk would not abide by either the $1 million per-candidate spending cap or Lautenschlager's proposal to rely mainly on small contributions.

She said Falk supports campaign finance reform, but will follow current laws, which impose no such limits.

Falk also resisted any efforts to limit the activities out of outside groups.

"We cannot control outside groups," Mulliken said, noting that it is illegal for candidates to coordinate, cooperate, or affect the activities of such organizations. "We cannot control them.

Lautenschlager is seeking a second four-year term as the state's top law enforcement official.

But some Democrats have encouraged Falk to run because they believe Lautenschlager is politically vulnerable after her conviction on drunken driving charges last year.

Two Republicans, Waukesha District Attorney Paul Bucher and former U.S. Attorney J.B. Van Hollen, are also seeking the post.

Polls show both Falk and Lautenschlager leading either of the Republican challengers, with Falk in slightly better position against the Republicans in some polls.

E-mail: [e-mail]

Published: 10:00 AM 11/22/05

[Draino]

3. And responds some more...

Dave Callender of the CapTimes had a follow up article:

'Arms race' seen as Falk rejects AG's rules
click here to read article

"Voters should be prepared for a campaign fundraising "arms race" in next year's competition between incumbent Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and fellow Democrat Kathleen Falk, the state's leading reform advocates warned today......"

There are some good quotes from Jay Heck and Mike McCabe.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi Draino!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: