NEWS
Darrow tells College Republicans he is the right man for the job
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by Ryan Masse
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Car dealer Russ Darrow spoke at a meeting of the College Republicans Tuesday, explaining why he is the “Right Russ” to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.
After shaking hands with audience members, Darrow attacked the record of two-term U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, saying the incumbent is out of touch with the people of Wisconsin.
“I’m running because I don’t know one significant thing Russ Feingold has done in two terms, other than campaign-finance reform,” Darrow said, questioning Feingold’s record on taxes, job growth and national security.
The candidates will debate at the Holiday Inn on the east side of Madison April 22.
Darrow criticized Feingold for being quick to raise taxes while reluctant to ensure positive job growth in Wisconsin.
“The fact is Russ Feingold has voted 245 times for higher taxes,” Darrow said. “Low taxes are how we create meaningful jobs.”
Darrow defended the Patriot Act for preventing terrorist attacks after Sept. 11 and sharply criticized Feingold for voting against the act. That the American Civil Liberties Union has only recently increased opposition to the act is proof it is not the flawed piece of legislation many make it out to be, Darrow said.
“I don’t see how he can be the one senator out of 100 to vote against it after 9/11,” Darrow said. “More people were killed Sept. 11 than Pearl Harbor. I wouldn’t vote to make [the Patriot Act] permanent, but I would vote to extend it.”
The founder of the Russ Darrow Group, a company owning 19 car dealerships throughout the state, Darrow is making his first foray into politics in this year’s Senate race. He is vying with State Sen. Bob Welch, R-Redgranite, businessman Tim Michels and attorney Robert Gerald Lorge for the Republican nomination, which will be determined in the primary Sept. 14.
Although a political newcomer, Darrow said his interactions with the public during 38 years in the car business and his deep respect for Wisconsin make him the right man to represent the state in the Senate. He mentioned his family’s deep roots in the state and his experiences in Wisconsin, including two years at the University of Wisconsin.
“I’ve lived the American dream, and guess what: it started right here,” Darrow said, adding that it has been rewarding to meet so many college conservatives.
Darrow faces an uphill climb if he is to knock off Feingold in November’s general election.
In a recent Badger Poll, only seven percent of respondents gave a favorable image of Darrow when asked to compare the Republican to Feingold, while 80 percent said they were too unfamiliar with Darrow to make a judgment.
George Aldrich, campaign manager of the Feingold Senate Committee, refutes Darrow’s claim that Feingold is out of touch with Wisconsin.
“While headlines often focus on his independence or his leadership in reforming campaign-finance laws with fellow maverick John McCain (R-Ariz.), Senator Feingold has an effective record of delivering critical resources to our state,” Aldrich said in a statement Tuesday.
Aldrich mentioned Feingold’s fight to save the General Motors plant in Janesville and effort to increase the number of Pell Grants available to college students as examples of the senator’s commitment to Wisconsin.
Aldrich also noted the 840 listening sessions Feingold has conducted with people throughout the state since being elected.
Darrow, however, was not impressed by such listening sessions, saying it was clear Feingold “didn’t hear a thing.”
