Elizabeth Warren, Scott Brown's Ban On Outside Spending Shows Some Holes

Holes Emerge In Warren And Brown's Ban On Outside Spending

Partisan groups are already finding ways to get around an agreement barring third-party spending in the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts.

Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Scott Brown (R) signed a pledge last month to curb negative advertising in the hotly contested race. Now outside groups are using loopholes in the agreement to get around the ban.

The anti-Scott Brown site RethinkBrown.com recently expanded its website, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday. While the agreement limits broadcast and online ads, it doesn't mention website information or print ads.

"RethinkBrown.com is hardly an independent organization, funded by unions such as the Service Employees International Union and the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and run by Morningstar and other former aides to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat like Warren," the Globe reported.

On Tuesday a video attacking Warren for being wealthy hit the web. The particular attack also circumvents the ban, which makes no mention of web videos.

After weeks of back and forth, the two candidates agreed to the terms of the deal. If a campaign breaks the terms, it must donate half of the cost of any third-party ad to a charity of the other campaign's choosing. Both campaigns are hailing the agreement as historic and a win for the voters of Massachusetts.

More election news from beyond the presidential field:

Howard Berman Outraises Rep. Brad Sherman -- By A Lot [Los Angeles Times]

Claire McCaskill's Approval At Record Low, Could Mean Trouble For Re-Election [PPP]

Allen West Endorses Adam Hasner [Miami Herald]

George W. Bush Is Front And Center In Hawaii Senate Ad [National Journal]

Young GOP Challenger Josh Mandel Raises $1.43 Million In Ohio Senate Race [Dayton Daily News]

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