Brown, who has the most to gain from the agreement after already being outspent 3-to-1 by pro-Warren groups, immediately targeted online ads being paid for by RethinkBrown. It is a pro-Warren super PAC run by former aides to Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat.
“We will suspend our advertising campaign, provided other third parties do the same,’’ said RethinkBrown’s spokesman, Steve Crawford. Other outside groups also promised to comply, with similar reservations.
The League of Conservation Voters, which has aired over $2 million in ads attacking Brown’s record, said it, too, would try to honor the accord. The Massachusetts Democratic Party also said it would honor the ban.
Yet the challenge in enforcing the agreement, which echoed a failed 1996 pact between candidates William F. Weld and John Kerry, was immediately evident.
Crossroads GPS, a pro-Brown group, was noncommittal. “Because the agreement allows union phone banks, direct mail, and get-out-the-vote drives - all union core specialties - Warren’s latest agreement has loopholes the Teamsters could drive a truck though,’’ said Steven Law, chief executive.
Both campaigns acknowledged that broadcasters, who reap millions from campaign ads, are unlikely to turn down advertisements from outside groups.
Ed Piette, president and general manager of WBZ-TV and myTV38, said Friday that television stations have the right to reject issue ads and political action committee ads. Although he had yet to review the campaigns’ pending request, he does not expect to turn down ads.
“We’re a broadcaster,’’ he said. “We’re not in politics.’’
Brown and Warren are the likely candidates in what could be one of this year’s most hotly contested US Senate races.
