Feingold Gets Dirty

What does Russ Feingold have to show for his years in the U.S. Senate?

McCain-Feingold, legislation that has been decimated by the U.S. Supreme Court.

It's a good thing that Feingold's assault on free speech suffered dramatic setbacks.

Key elements of Feingold's baby were struck down but this alleged crusader for clean campaigns and the self-proclaimed underdog hasn't hesitated to do his own dirty work already, anything to retain power.

Feingold, Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. Clean, shows that he'll do whatever it takes to hold on to his Senate seat.

One of Feingold's ads attacking Republican Ron Johnson is particularly troubling.

MADISON (WKOW) -- Within the barrage of political ads we've seen this year are some that feature news clips, some from newspaper, some from TV.

Monday, one ad in particular caught our attention and the attention of some of you.

It resembles a WKOW newscast more than a political commercial, right down to the graphics and the anchorman.

"They took out all the context, balance and other side of the story," said Perry Boxx, WKOW News Director. "He did it without any permission. It may be legal, but it's just plain wrong."

Not only did WKOW not give permission for the use of those clips from our copyrighted newscast, we never even knew they had been used until the political ad first hit the air on Monday.

"The fair use doctrine of copyright law allows anyone to use excerpts from copyrighted work for purposes of comment," said Bob Dreps, WKOW legal counsel.

"The question becomes not is it legal, but is it fair, is it just?" said Madison College Professor Maurice Sheppard.

Campaign ads using new clips aren't new, but they can blur the line between a news report and a campaign ad, making it seem like journalists are endorsing candidates.

Sheppard said, "For some voters, they don't know if it's an ad or a special news report and it can be somewhat confusing."

Unlike some political ads that feature news clips, the 30 second spot that used WKOW material only revealed its true identity in the closing seconds.

WKOW has requested the Russ Feingold for Senate campaign pull the ad from airing in Wisconsin.

Campaign attorney, Ezra Reece said he understands the station's concerns and would "pass them along" to the Feingold staff.

Again, the Feingold ad featuring WKOW material was made without our knowledge and is in now way an endorsement of the candidate.

Feingold has to cut the "Mr. Nice Guy" act.

I suppose desperate times cause for desperate measures but Feingold's campaign ad perversion really strikes at his political soul.

Pressure is mounting for Feingold to pull the misleading ad.

Yesterday, the Associated Press labeled Russ Feingold’s latest attack ad as “misleading.” The article also stated the ad’s assertion that Ron Johnson got a government loan was not correct. Today WKOW-TV requested that the Feingold campaign remove the ad from the air. WKOW notes the Feingold ad, “took out all the context” and that “It resembles a WKOW newscast more than a political commercial, right down to the graphics and the anchorman.”

Madison College Professor, Maurice Sheppard said, ”For some voters, they don’t know if it’s an ad or a special news report and it can be somewhat confusing.”
In response, Juston Johnson, campaign manager for Ron Johnson for Senate, made the following statement:

“Senator Feingold’s ad is an egregious attempt to fool voters. First, it doesn’t tell the truth. Ron Johnson had nothing to do with any grants and the Industrial Revenue Bonds he received had no taxpayer money in them, nor was there any government guarantee to repay the loans. Just misstating the facts are enough to pull the ad off the air, but trying to fool voters by making an ad that appears to be a TV news broadcast is disgusting. Feingold should obey the station’s request and take down the ad immediately.”

According to WKOW, the station has requested the Russ Feingold for Senate campaign pull the ad from airing in Wisconsin. Perry Boxx, WKOW News Director, is quoted as saying, “He did it without any permission. It may be legal, but it’s just plain wrong.”

I agree. It's wrong. Nonetheless, Feingold's ad is still running, receiving heavy airplay.

Apparently, Feingold isn't the man of principle he claims to be.



I wonder if TMJ4 approves of Tom Barrett using its news footage in his gross, tasteless campaign ad.

What's even more strange is watching the Barrett ad with TMJ4 anchors on other local stations. Today, it aired repeatedly during the FOX 6 morning news. Universes are colliding.



The use of TMJ4 footage in Barrett's ad makes it appear as if TMJ4 is in the bag for Barrett. Of course that is the case, but it looks really bad.

I give credit to WKOW for objecting to Feingold's ad. TMJ4 deserves none.