Elections Board votes to study regulations for political ads-Campaign Finance Reform thread-day 37

Milwaukee Freeman /AP ^ | 1/15/0

[Valin]

BROOKFIELD - The state Elections Board voted 5-4 Wednesday to study implementing rules in Wisconsin that would mirror federal restrictions on political ads criticizing a candidate. Executive director Kevin Kennedy said the vote is no guarantee the board will eventually implement rules that would give it the power to regulate so-called issue ads.

But he said board members felt it was appropriate to study the issue after several groups urged them to do so in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the restrictions on the ads in federal campaigns.

‘‘We’re going to at least go through the process of figuring out what would be the parameters of this regulation,’’ Kennedy said.

The Supreme Court decision last year upheld portions of the federal campaign finance law often known as ‘‘McCain-Feingold’’ - named for its chief Senate sponsors, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

Issue ads typically name candidates and show their likenesses but don’t explicitly say ‘‘vote for’’ or ‘‘vote against’’ them. Instead, they may conclude with a message such as: ‘‘Call Senator Smith and tell him to stop raising our taxes.’’

The Supreme Court said candidates and political parties use the ads to do an end-run around donation and spending limits.

The board’s rules would extend those restrictions to state campaigns.

Wisconsin lawmakers included a series of campaign finance law overhauls in a bill they approved in 2000, but the reforms were thrown out by a federal judge as unconstitutional. They have yet to pass any similar legislation since.

State agencies have the power to promulgate rules to regulate areas under their jurisdiction. Still, Kennedy said there are some who question if the board even has the power to regulate the ads.

He said that question and whether the issue should be left to the Legislature will be part of the board’s study. He said there is no timetable for a decision.

Board member Kirby Brant, representative of the Libertarian Party, said he opposed the study because he does not want to see restrictions in the McCain-Feingold bill put into state regulations. The Supreme Court’s decision does not require states to implement similar restrictions on election ads, and Brant said he sees no reason to put them into place.

‘‘As far as I’m concerned, McCain-Feingold was a politically inspired, unconstitutional attack on democracy,’’ Brant said.

Associated Press

[Valin]

The state Elections Board voted 5-4 Wednesday to study implementing rules in Wisconsin that would mirror federal restrictions on political ads criticizing a candidate. Executive director Kevin Kennedy said the vote is no guarantee the board will eventually implement rules that would give it the power to regulate so-called issue ads.

Coming soon to a state/county/city/town/village near you.

[Valin]

Yesterdays thread
Ensign favors end to all limits on campaign spending
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1058485/posts?page=1


Note If you would like to be on/off this Campaign Finance Reform list please let me know

[Valin]

HOORAY For John!

Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob
Special to FreeRepublic | 17 December 2003 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

This is nothing like the usual whine by someone whose post was pulled. JimRob pulled my previous thread for a good reason. "If direct fund-raising were permitted on FR, it would soon be wall-to-wall fund-raising."

So, let's start again correctly. This is about civil disobedience to support the First Amendment and challenge the TERRIBLE CFR decision of the Supreme Court to uphold a terrible law passed by Congress and signed by President Bush.

All who are interested in an in-your-face challenge to the 30- and 60-day ad ban in the Campaign Finance "Reform" Act, please join in. The pattern is this: I'm looking for at least 1,000 people to help the effort. I will run the ad, and risk fines or jail time to make it work -- AND get national support.

But there should be NO mentions of money in this thread, and not in Freepmail either. This is JimRob's electronic home, and we should all abide his concerns.

Put your comments here. Click on the link above, and send me your e-mail addresses. I will get back to you by regular e-mail with the practical details.

This CAN be done. This SHOULD be done. But it MUST be done in accord with JimRob's guidelines.


Fair enough?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1042394/posts

[The_Eaglet]

Interesting. If Wisconsin were to pass such legislation, they wouldn't be violating the First Amendment, but the McCain-Feingold bill's limitations on free speech still subverts the ban on Congress "abridging the freedom of speech."

[Ches]

"Coming soon to a state/county/city/town/village near you."

I'm in Wisconsin, looks like it's here. Thanks for posting this. I'll be forwarding the article to a number of friends who are more than a little bit irate over CFR.

Please put me on your CFR ping list.

[Congressman Billybob]

This a classic example of the camel's nose under the tent. The Supreme Court lets Congress violate the First Amendment. Now, exactly as you say, the same restrictions on the free speech and press rights of citizens are likely to be adopted by the leftist, do-gooder state boards and commissions that are in charge of state elections.

In short, we are all in trouble until CFR is strangled in its crib at the federal level. Until then, it will be a bad example for the states as well.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread).

[Valin]

I'll be forwarding the article to a number of friends who are more than a little bit irate over CFR.


YES! You might also remind them that it IS an election year.
We really need to grill the lads and lasses who want our votes and support.

[Valin]

I firmly believe where they are heading is the federalization of ALL elections. with of course no "negative" ads. After all we wouldn't want anyones feelings to be hurt.

[Ches]

"We really need to grill the lads and lasses who want our votes and support."

Time to hammer our reps. I sent it to our 2A list, most of whom hate CFR and some of them will send it on to their RKBA and CCW lists.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Hope this isn't a 2nd post. I don't know what happened to my previous message.

Russ Feingold will be appearing in Saukville at Town Hall at a "listening session" to take comments from the citizens on January 24. We should all go there and give him a piece of our minds on McCain-Feingold, as well as many other issues.

[Ches]

"Russ Feingold will be appearing in Saukville at Town Hall at a "listening session"

He really hates being criticized for the reform bill at these sessions (watch the body language). The last one I attended there was only a handful of conservatives. If you have the list of his appearances handy, please post it to the WI board.

[Valin]

Other side of Wis. from me. But let me encourage you to get together with friends Wis. Freepers(?) and take him to task.


Russ Feingold and CFR. This is what happens when you let cheeseheads in congress! :-)



Back later tonight.

[Valin]

He really hates being criticized for the reform bill at these sessions (watch the body language).

Oh the poor baby! Someone should tell him that life is full of disappointments. Deal with it!

[Eastbound]

What's the chances of the crazies wanting to include the internet somewhere down the road?

[Valin]

Oh don't worry they have ABSOLUTLY no interest in that.

And if you believe that I've a really nice bridge I can let you have cheap.

[The_Eaglet]

Forward Link:

First Amendment Treats for the Rich-Campaign Finance Reform thread-day 38

[The_Eaglet]

First Amendment Treats for the Rich-Campaign Finance Reform thread-day 38