Here’s a nice idea from Public Citizen and Common Cause. Political candidates would pledge to oppose outside group spending in their races. If a group did spend money in behalf of a candidate who’s taken the pledge, that candidate would donate half the cost of the ad buy to a charity of the opponent’s choice.
Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren struck such an agreement in Warren’s winning race for Senate from Massachusetts. The goal is to reduce anonymously-funded attack ads from groups not affiliated with candidates, as well as reduce spending. It worked in Massaschusetts. Outside spending was far less than in other states.
Common Cause said Rhode Island’s three Democratic candidates for governor recently signed such a pledge.
The public interest groups have sent letters asking candidates to sign the pledge to primary winners in 11 states, including Arkansas. The letters went here to the major party candidates for Senate and governor — Mark Pryor, Tom Cotton, Mike Ross and Asa Hutchinson.
Don’t hold your breath.