Flash from the past: Clinton, Feingold have shouting match over campaign finance reform

[Jefferson23]

Hillary, the dedicated reformer. lol


2002

WASHINGTON -- Sens. Russ Feingold and Hillary Clinton got into in a heated argument over the impact of Feingold's campaign finance reform legislation on Senate Democrats, Feingold said Friday.

"'You're not living in the real world,"' Clinton screamed at him, according to Feingold, D-Wis., the party's leading backer of the McCain-Feingold law.

"I picked up my glass of water, and said, 'I do live in the real world and I'm doing just fine in it,"' Feingold responded, raising his voice at the closed-door meeting of Senate Democrats Thursday.

At issue was the law's ban on soft money -- large, unregulated donations to parties from corporations, unions and wealthy people. Feingold said Clinton was worried the ban would open Democrats to legal liability because of what she considered the vagueness of the law.

Feingold said a "core group" of five or six Democrats -- including Clinton, D-N.Y. -- was trying to find ways to get around the ban.

"It was a troubling display for a party that claims to be for trying to clean up the system," Feingold said.

Clinton spokeswoman Karen Dunn noted that Clinton and her GOP opponent, Rick Lazio, agreed to ban soft money from their campaign in 2000. The ban did not apply to direct mail or get-out-the-vote efforts.

"Senator Clinton participated in the only soft money ban in last year's election cycle," Dunn said. "She voted for the bill and she supports it. Senator Clinton has the greatest respect for Senator Feingold's leadership and advocacy on this issue."

She did not address Feingold's comments about Thursday's meeting.

The exchange took place at a forum organized by Sen. Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., pitting Fred Wertheimer, head of Democracy 21, which supports the ban, against Robert Bauer, the lawyer for the Senate and House Democratic fund-raising committees, who has argued that soft money should still be allowed for several non-campaign purposes.

Daschle was among those at the meeting. Daschle spokesman Jay Carson called Feingold's comment about the Democratic Party "perplexing."

"I think Senator Daschle's and the Senate Democrats' commitment to this can be seen in the painstaking work and blood, sweat and tears that went into getting this bill passed," he said.

Feingold called the exchange amazing.

"It's not surprising, but I don't know how they think they're going to get away with, in a closed room, trying to figure out every way they can to keep raising soft money, and then publicly, act like they're getting rid of it. It's going to sound phony," he said.

The New York Daily News, citing anonymous sources, first reported the exchange Friday. Feingold said he would not have discussed the meeting publicly were it not for the leak.

Feingold said Clinton apologized to him on the Senate floor later in the day.

"I said it was a good show, and she said we should have sold tickets," said Feingold, laughing.

But he said he will fight anyone who tries to keep the current system -- "even those who vote for it and then try to undercut it."

http://chippewa.com/clinton-feingold-have-shouting-match-over-campaign-finance-reform/article_94f8c743-93e1-5e6a-ac64-ce7206ae7b8b.html

[senz]

1. Thank you so much, Jefferson23. We need this kind of context.

The truth is out there ...

[Jefferson23]

8. It is and you're very welcome. n/t

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

2. She is the poster child for everything that is wrong with Washington...

Stuck in a bubble of privilege and corruption so big she didn't even think it was improper to give speeches for huge payouts prior to running for president.

[Jefferson23]

10. The transcripts are a big joke for some of her supporters...so funny.

Yay corruption.

[CorporatistNation]

19. Hillary Is The Poster Child For EVERYTHING That Bernie Is Talking About That Is Wrong W/ Washington

And politics overall!

[kcjohn1]

3. When asked by Maddow on Clinton Foundation

During her presidency, she saw no conflict of interest of her husband and daughter soliciting donations from parties with business with the federal government.

These people have no ethics or standards. They are super pretenders.

[Jefferson23]

6. They don't give a shit about anyone but themselves. n/t

[think]

4. Thank you for posting. /nt

[Jefferson23]

14. Clinton at her finest, right? lol

It cracks me up when her supporters blame Republicans for her low trustworthy ratings.

[think]

23. Indeed. Hillary earned those low ratings all on her own.

[jwirr]

5. Thank you. I know for sure I am donating to the right man.

[Jefferson23]

11. Me too.

[EndElectoral]

7. Thanks. Feingold was also right on the IWR voting Nay. HRC got that one wrong as well.

[Jefferson23]

13. I want him to win back his Senate seat sooo bad. n/t

[Scuba]

51. Please consider ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027725979

[Jefferson23]

54. Thanks, Scuba..I saw that yesterday and contributed.

[Scuba]

55. Thanks again!!

[HereSince1628]

15. Feingold also was the only Senator to read the PATRIOT ACT before the vote, and he voted against it.

Should be an interesting April 2nd... Feingold and Sanders and Clinton arescheduled to be at the Dem Party of WI gala and dinner as well as strongly anti-Sanders people including Al Franken (not from WI), Tammy Baldwin and Gwen Moore.

[haikugal]

9. Very interesting...thanks for this post!

This has been coming for a long time....

[Jefferson23]

35. I think so too. We have a very good idea of what her administration would look like

so hopefully more people will pick Bernie.

[bbgrunt]

12. K and R!

[cui bono]

16. Great find! I hope the people in Wisconsin remember/see this!

[Jefferson23]

21. Feel free to spread it around, twitter etc.

[azurnoir]

17. Thank you for shining the light on campaign speak

[Jefferson23]

22. The pleasure was all mine.

[JI7]

18. in 2008 Feingold said Clinton was a Great Candidate

he ended up endorsing Obama but he said both of them were great candidates.

he got a lot of attacks from edwards supporters at the time.

[Jefferson23]

20. What does that have to do with Clinton and her unethical approach to reform?

I think we all know the value of endorsements..their exchange on campaign finance
is another window into Hilary's mindset.

[brooklynite]

24. Reuss Feingold: "If Sanders wins, we're in trouble"

Maybe things have changed in 13 years.

[JonLeibowitz]

25. Link to where he said that?

[brooklynite]

27. He said it to me, personally, when we had dinner last year...

...I've mentioned this previously.

[JonLeibowitz]

29. Forgive me if I don't take your word for it. n/t

[brooklynite]

38. Feel free to check my FEC reports.

I find it ironic that people like to beat me up for being a 1%er who helps fund political campaigns, and then beat me up for lying about it.

FYI - I've had private time with Feingold, Strickland, Kander, Kirkpatrick, Duckworth, Hassan, Murphy, Grayson and Ross

[JonLeibowitz]

41. I didn't say I don't believe you met him at a fundraiser.

I said I won't take your word for what e said.

[brooklynite]

42. If it makes you feel better, I wasn't expecting him to say it...

...I figured he was broadly supportive of Sanders even if wasn't going to openly endorse.

[JonLeibowitz]

60. I think there are a lot of people like Russ who are broadly supportive of his goals

and his ways to get there, but feel Clinton is the right candidate for the time because of how the party works (said another way: inevitable).

I doubt Clinton will get Russ anywhere with his concrete goals, but politically it would be advantageous for a candidate for Senate (not an incumbent) not to back an insurgent.

Still don't believe what you say though.

[brooklynite]

61. If it makes you feel better: I don't care if you believe me.

[Jefferson23]

30. lol

[revbones]

33. Obama said the same thing to me yesterday about Hillary

It was in between the bunny rabbit boxing matches that we were watching from a row boat on a lake. The sky was purple for some reason, I can't remember why since I woke up right after noticing that.

[brooklynite]

40. As I said before, feel free to check my FEC contribution list

XXX,

Not a problem. There is space. We've actually decided to move to a restaurant in SoHo that is a favorite of our host. I should have the name and address shortly and will send it along this afternoon. But please plan on 7:30 PM and we'll look forward to seeing you and XXX on Thursday evening.

Thanks so much and look forward to seeing you.

XXXX

PS-Here's the link for the dinner: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/09.24.15derroughdinner

[HumanityExperiment]

50. Access...

gotta love that 1% access that us normal citizens don't have, maybe the comment "If Sanders wins, we're in trouble" relates to your your continued easier access to politicians?

Now that would be inline with Bernie's platform and what he's pushes in this primary, so there is that...

again, your comment "I find it ironic that people like to beat me up for being a 1%er who helps fund political campaigns, and then beat me up for lying about it.

FYI - I've had private time with Feingold, Strickland, Kander, Kirkpatrick, Duckworth, Hassan, Murphy, Grayson and Ross"

Maybe, just maybe Bernie is making the status quo very nervous and you just happen to have a 'front row' seat right now that's getting the feedback that Bernie's message is working

[brooklynite]

62. Russ Feingold is "Status Quo"?

Who, then, are the House and Senate members who will be rallying to Bernie's agenda?

[HumanityExperiment]

64. Maybe the voting public matters more...

as to whom the 'rallying' will be centered on, it's the power of the people, guess whom politicians are more fearful of when it really comes down to it... the voting public, when they get motivated and vocal guess what happens?

So, to answer your question...

voters will drive politicians to be more motivated towards Bernie's agenda or those politicians will be voted out

This is the true power that's behind all of this and that is exactly what has the establishment concerned, no, afraid and you know that...

[revbones]

59. Lol. So sorry, that definitely proves it... rofl

Seriously? That's your evidence for backchannel conversations?

[brooklynite]

63. I'm not trying to "prove it"...you can accept what I say or not. Doesn't matter to me.

I've reported many times about events and meetings I've been to...and been criticized for them and my "access". You can choose to believe them or not.

[Scuba]

53. I spoke with him last summer and he was enthused by Bernie's candidacy.

Didn't offer an endorsement, but said he was happy Bernie was running.

[beam me up scottie]

56. He told me yesterday that he secretly endorsed Bernie.

We were enjoying brunch on the veranda, the caviar and Dom mimosas were to die for!

[Jefferson23]

57. lol

[azurnoir]

28. Do you have a link for that I Googled the quote correcting the spelling of Russ

what I came up with was you making the same claim twice before with no link even when asked for one

[JonLeibowitz]

26. Thank you so much Jefferson23! This article is revealing!

[Jefferson23]

32. I thought so too and you're most welcome, Jon. n/t

[Autumn]

31. Interesting.

"'You're not living in the real world,"' Clinton screamed at him.

[JonLeibowitz]

34. #ToneDownForWhat

[longship]

36. So she said, the Senator from Government Sachs!

Support Bernie Sanders, the candidate who will not be the president for Government Sachs!

I'll leave it at that.

[Jefferson23]

45. She had to hang out with with him...she has no choice. lol

Nothing to see, keep moving on.

[Skwmom]

37. She gets outraged when having to face how she has sold out. nt

[Jefferson23]

44. Yes yet the words oligarchs and corruption are sooo yesterday. lol

It's only a Republican issue.... la la la la la

[quantass]

43. Its funny that 60% of Primary Voters read above and think MEH, Clinton is my man. Blows my mind!nt

[Jefferson23]

46. Corruption is only a Republican thing.

[Octafish]

47. ''It was a troubling display...''

"It's not surprising, but I don't know how they think they're going to get away with, in a closed room, trying to figure out every way they can to keep raising soft money, and then publicly, act like they're getting rid of it. It's going to sound phony," (Feingold) said.

No wonder the guy got so little help in 2010 from Rahm and Debbie.

[Jefferson23]

49. Hopefully Russ will win back his Senate seat and if Bernie loses, this guy is the one

next up to run for president.

His loss back at the time:

In Feingold’s Loss, Independents Turn on One of Their Own

MIDDLETON, Wis. — The irony was lost on no one. Senator Russ Feingold, a liberal with a fierce streak of independence who crusaded against the influence of money in politics, was toppled Tuesday in a campaign awash in the kind of unregulated cash he had struggled to keep out of the system.

And in a poignant twist, the loss came, in part, because independents flocked to his opponent, despite Mr. Feingold’s record of one maverick vote after another.

He was the sole senator to oppose the USA Patriot Act after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He also broke with President Obama on several occasions, opposing the expansion of the war in Afghanistan, the bailing out of financial institutions in 2008 and the regulation of Wall Street this year, saying the restrictions did not go far enough.

Most prominently, he battled his colleagues to overhaul the campaign finance system; the resulting law, passed in 2002, bore his name and that of Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican (who won re-election Tuesday).

After being eroded for years, the McCain-Feingold Act was gutted this year by the Supreme Court, helping to pave the way for millions of dollars to gush into campaigns from outside groups, most of whom do not have to reveal their donors — including at least $4 million in Wisconsin this year, virtually all of it against Mr. Feingold, 57, or for his opponent, Ron Johnson, 55, a wealthy Republican businessman.

Mr. Feingold rejected such money, as he had his entire career, but analysts said that probably had little to do with his loss.

“Independents deserted Democrats, period,” said Ken Goldstein, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. “This was not about Feingold’s record or the money or the advertising. It was about the anger of independents at the status quo.”

Still, others saw the flow of unregulated money as an added dimension to the narrative, in which Mr. Feingold was “hoist on his own petard,” said Mordecai Lee, who was first elected to the State Senate with Mr. Feingold in 1982 and is now a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

“Because his good-government streak and his push for changes in the campaign finance system had no political constituency,” Mr. Lee said, “they led to the lawsuit that opened up the floodgates.”

As it happens, Mr. Feingold raised and spent more money than Mr. Johnson, at least as of mid-October. In fact, their arms race led to what appeared to be the most expensive Senate race in Wisconsin history, topping out at more than $35 million.

Mr. Feingold had raised $18.2 million and spent $16.2 million by the middle of last month, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Mr. Johnson raised $12.8 million, and spent $10.5 million, pumping in more than $8.2 million of his own money.

Mr. Feingold has served in the Senate for 18 years and was seeking his fourth term. Mr. Johnson, a plastics manufacturer who had never run for office, won with 52 percent of the vote, to Mr. Feingold’s 47 percent.

Mr. Feingold was caught in an avalanche that crushed Democrats nationwide. Apart from capturing Mr. Feingold’s seat, Republicans here made a clean sweep of state government, winning the governor’s office and control of both houses of the State Legislature. One poll found that Mr. Obama’s approval rating here had declined at a faster rate than in any other state.

Despite his independence, Mr. Feingold allied himself strongly with certain Obama policies, including the health care bill, for which Mr. Johnson repeatedly bashed him.

Mike Wittenwyler, a Madison lawyer who had worked for Mr. Feingold in previous elections, said that the desire for “change” this year had overwhelmed everything else.

“This is the kind of climate where you would vote your mother out of office,” he said. “If you had a ‘D’ after your name, it was a liability.”

Mr. Feingold has spent his life in government. After winning a Rhodes Scholarship and graduating from Harvard Law School, he worked for a few years in private practice, then ran for the Wisconsin State Senate and has served in public office for nearly three decades.

It is not clear what he will do next. In a brief speech Tuesday night, he told the 300 supporters gathered in a hotel here in his hometown, “It’s on to the next fight, it’s on to the next battle, it’s on to 2012 and it is on to our next adventure. Forward.”

He then raised his fist in the air and left the stage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/us/politics/05feingold.html?_r=0

[Scuba]

48. "It was a troubling display for a party that claims to be for trying to clean up the system"

"It was a troubling display for a party that claims to be for trying to clean up the system," Feingold said.

[Jefferson23]

52. Claims being the operative word. I was just sayin to another poster, if Bernie loses

and Feingold wins his seat back, he will be well positioned to run for president
next time around. I would love it.

[quantumjunkie]

58. Hillary Supporters hate Feingold

[felix_numinous]

65. Feingold rocks.

Anyone holding onto their scruples in this day and age, with all that money flying around, deserves the highest respect.

[Jefferson23]

66. I want him to win..he is a great guy. n/t

[Jefferson23]

67. kick. n/t