Gov. Jim Doyle rejected a provision proposed by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, to limit mutual campaign spending for the Wisconsin governor's race.
In a letter Monday, Green urged Doyle to agree to his spending limits and work to discourage all independent campaign ads.
First, let's limit campaign spending to $5,536,200—that's one dollar for every man, woman and child in Wisconsin,\ Green said. ""Second, let's ask independent organizations to refrain from running attack ads aimed at defeating either one of us.""
The Doyle campaign subsequently rejected the pledge, claiming Doyle would run a clean campaign either way.
Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, a non-partisan reform advocacy group, said his group supports any step towards limiting campaign spending.
""It's very interesting that Mark Green has come up with a proposal and we congratulate him,"" Heck said. ""Doyle should have taken a look at it, and they should have entered into some serious negotiations about putting some limits on this campaign.""
However, he said Green's proposal would have been stronger if it had included public financing.
""While spending limits are desirable, what would be more desirable is if there was a real mechanism to take special interest money out of these campaigns and have it really about issues,"" Heck said.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, also indicated spending limits are a small step.
""What would make a lot more sense is for Mark Green and Jim Doyle both to support legislation that would legally limit candidates, not just for governor but for all state offices, to restrict campaign spending limits,"" Black said.
Green's campaign defends the pledge as an honest way to limit campaign spending to make the governor's race fair.
""Committing ourselves to reducing the amount of money involved in the governor's race and keeping to an issue-oriented debate will demonstrate to the public that we are sincere in our efforts to restore their faith in their elected leaders,"" Green said.
However, Brian Shactman, chair of UW-Madison College Democrats said the pledge was a political stunt.
""It's hypocritical for Mark Green to be talking about clean campaigns when his association has been taking money from lobbyists,"" Shactman said.
Since an agreement was not reached about spending limits, Common Cause in Wisconsin estimates the highly contested governor's race will cost approximately $35 million.
""Doyle himself has said he wants to raise between 12 to 15 million dollars and Green will spend nearly 10 to 12 million dollars, with special interest groups contributing the rest,"" Heck said \
