Get ready for a blitz

Posted by Dorry Samuels on August 20, 2012

Get ready for the blitz. Sure, Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and his Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren, made a pact – called the “People’s Pledge” – in January to try to prevent third-party ads in their U.S. Senate race. So far, there have only been a couple infractions – and Sen. Brown contributed twice to the charity of Warren’s choice. But don’t expect things to continue to be fine and dandy.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has said that it’s not making any promises when it comes to spending in the Massachusetts Senate race. The Chamber last week endorsed Sen. Brown, and in 2010, the Big Business lobby poured $1 million into Brown’s special election race. So far this year, the Chamber has spent more than $11 million to influence elections.

Rob Engstrom, the Chamber’s political director, said that Massachusetts remains an important race for the organization and is one of the 12 or 13 Senate races the Chamber is paying attention to.

“Make no mistake, we have been and will be aggressive in the Massachusetts Senate race to educate our members and the voters as to where these candidates stand on the issues,” he told The Boston Globe. 

Brown and Warren are spending many millions in their high-profile race – combined they have raised more than $40 million – so it's not like the people of Massachusetts aren't getting fully exposed to the candidates and their advertisements. But the two have managed to make a deal that keeps them each in control of the election, not outside groups. So, Dear Chamber, can't you respect the request from Sen. Brown – and surely the deep desire of Massachusetts citizens – and stay out of this one, along with other outside groups?

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