I can't tell if I've recently become more disenchanted by politics because of the nauseating number of corporate-funded attack ads or the child-like exchanges between the Senate candidates in their first two head-to-head debates. Either way, the race between U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and GOP contender Ron Johnson has become cynical and partisan, and I don't like it.
In a race that is plagued by a huge influx of post-Citizens United corporate dollars to shadow groups, I really shouldn't be surprised that Feingold and Johnson have spent nearly $7 million combined on advertisements. On the one hand, Johnson is running a brilliant ad campaign by showing the people of Wisconsin ""Ron in Real Life"" through TV spots that cast himself as a Washington outsider and sometimes, even include members of his family. On the other hand, the first two debates have convinced me Johnson would look like a novice in Washington, too sure that his business experience will translate to knowledge of national-level policymaking.
Earlier this week, the candidates faced off in their second debate in Wausau. The debate took a similar course as the first; some softballs were thrown to both candidates and hot-button discussions on issues such as social security and climate change became heated.
Then, the duo took the debate to a new level when Feingold pressed Johnson to disclose the sources of soft money he's received. The debate swiftly became a contentious tug-of-war between candidates, which frankly, was painful to watch. Feingold asked Johnson why he wouldn't ask his donors to disclose and Johnson continually said they had a right to free speech. The grating exchange ended when Johnson finally shrugged and murmured, ""disclose"" to the delight of Feingold and the audience.
The debates have also been full of bitter remarks about economic plight, campaign finance reform and the possibility of bipartisanship in such a divisive political climate.
This type of banter seems sadly self-indulgent. It is disheartening that Johnson has stayed away from media interviews and now, when he has the chance to take the spotlight, uses scripted Republican taglines to attack Feingold and takes cheap shots when he feels pressured. By the same token, it is disappointing that Feingold is being so easily portrayed as the vulnerable ""Democrat-incumbent"" and is forced to use aggressive tactics to remind Wisconsin voters of his maverick record.
Undoubtedly, Johnson will continue to paint Feingold as a die-hard Washington liberal during their final debate next Friday. However, Feingold's voting history will never tell that same story. Feingold has rightfully been called the one true maverick of the Senate; he's known for co-authoring one of the most bipartisan bills in recent history, the McCain-Feingold bill. He's shown he's willing to cross party lines and to vote against his caucus on bills such as NAFTA and The Patriot Act.
If you've seen the most recent national polls, it looks like Feingold might be in trouble. Earlier this week, Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza wrote about Feingold's ""42 percent problem,"" noting that undecided voters are unlikely to vote for incumbents during the last three weeks before Election Day.
But I'm still hopeful Feingold can turn things around. Next Friday, he has a chance to show Wisconsinites his compassion and deep concern for their interests without falling into Johnson's partisan traps. Feingold doesn't need to expose Johnson for the cookie-cutter conservative he is; he simply needs to remind Wisconsin he has listened and acted on their interests for 18 years and hopes to honor their needs for at least another six.
""This is serious work we do in the Senate,"" Feingold said during the debate. I couldn't agree more. Although Johnson is showing himself to be a serious contender in the polls, I doubt he's ready to do serious work in the Senate.
Hannah Furfaro worked in the Feingold federal office this past summer. She is a senior majoring in political science and journalism. Please send feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
