Clinton, Lazio Agree to Forgo Soft Money Ads
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NEW YORK — Rep. Rick Lazio and Hillary Rodham Clinton appear to have reached a deal banning the use of advertising in their New York Senate race paid for with so-called soft money.
“I think the two sides have come to a close enough point that we effectively have a deal,” said Clinton’s campaign manager, Bill de Blasio.
Lazio told reporters, “It appears that we have an agreement, based on what I am hearing that Mrs. Clinton said.”
Soft money refers to the unlimited funds collected by political parties. While hard money contributions, limited to $2,000 per donor, can be used for ads that advocate voting for or against a candidate, soft money can only be used to advocate an issue, boost a candidate or attack a candidate.
The verbal agreements came late Saturday after a day of public back-and-forth, and about a week and a half after Lazio sprung his version of a soft money ban on Clinton during their first televised debate, demanding she sign it on the spot. Clinton refused and later called Lazio’s action a stunt.
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