MADISON, Wis. -- A Scott Walker fundraising gimmick involving a brown bag to exemplify his stinginess recycles an award-winning idea that was first used by Ohio Republican George Voinovich 12 years ago.

Reusing successful campaign tactics certainly isn't new. But Walker, a Republican candidate for governor, has taken the brown bag idea to a new level making it the central theme of his campaign.

Both letters were handled by the same direct mail consultant and sent in a brown bag.

Walker campaign spokeswoman Jill Bader said the campaign was looking for ways to express to voters how conservative Walker is and settled on the brown bag image.

Liberal critics say copping the same fundraising tactic as Voinovich shows Walker is bereft of original ideas.