# Warren-Brown pledge to discourage outside spending **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 24, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498 "2012-01-24T14:41:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/1 "2012-01-24T14:41:55Z")
Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) and his challenger Elizabeth Warren (full disclosure: my political crush) have [signed an agreement](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/brown-warren-pledge-to-curb-outside-campaign-spending/2012/01/23/gIQAi4jbLQ_story.html) intended to discourage campaign spending by groups and individuals from outside the respective campaigns such as Super PACs or other parties. > [@WaPo](#): > > Under the deal, Brown and Warren pledged to pay a penalty of 50 percent of the cost of any TV or Internet advertising by an outside group, regardless of whether the ad is aimed at supporting themselves or attacking the other candidate. The money would be given to a charity of the opposing candidate’s choice. > > The rivals agreed to ask broadcast stations to enforce the pledge. Apparently this was Browns idea, so good for him. Both candidates have received national attention and money has been pouring in from all over the country, but if successful, at least this agreement will make the campaigns accountable for the ads that come out before the election. Any group taking it upon themselves to advertise for their favorite candidate will be taking money out of the candidate’s pocket. As an added bonus, [Karl Rove hates it](http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220124rove-allied_group_rips_brown-warren_pact), so you know they’re on the right track. I come down as “cautiously optimistic.” Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/2 "2012-01-24T14:56:19Z")
I think “cautiously optimistic” is the best phrase. We’ll see how it works and if it gets any coverage. Then maybe other candidates can use it to shame their opponents into similar pledges in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/3 "2012-01-24T15:10:36Z")
Big fan of the idea. Highly unlikely that it will work elsewhere, but hopeful. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/4 "2012-01-24T20:54:01Z")
I see plenty of potential for shenanigans. What’s to stop someone from putting out an ad that’s ostensibly in favor of A, but actually just makes A look bad? I mean, such ads are always possible, but this would make them a double whammy. If this pledge actually works, great, but I’m not holding my breath on it working. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/5 "2012-01-24T22:32:41Z")
I’m hopeful, since I think it will play well in Massachusetts. I’ve already given her some money, I guess I’m going to have to give her some more. I saw her speak at my son-in-laws law school graduation, and was quite impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/6 "2012-01-26T16:50:23Z")
I was disappointed not to hear Elizabeth Warren mention this on The Daily Show the other night. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/7 "2012-01-26T19:48:02Z")
I preferred Elizabeth Warren the crusader to Elizabeth Warren the Senatorial candidate. Still, I hope she wins. ---
**Author:** ![dorsk188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f05b48/32.png) [@dorsk188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorsk188)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498/8 "2012-01-27T07:24:34Z")
I suspect pacs will find ways to skirt the agreement. Running positive ads about Brown. Running negative ads about the CFPA without mentioning Warren directly.