[freedomcrusader]

So are TV stations subject to penalties if they run an ad by, for example, the NRA within 60 days of an election, or is the NRA alone at risk?

[Congressman Billybob]

The NRA is not a "federal candidate." So they don't have the benefit of the "must carry" rule that applies to candidates only. So it is possible that stations could refuse to run a proffered NRA ad.

That's why the NRA is talking about buying a TV station. The exception in the CFR law for "the press" is defined by what the newspaper, TV station, network, whatever, DOES, not who owns it. That's a smart idea by the NRA. But their situation as a "civic issue organization" is quite different from mine as a potential candidate for Congress.

Does that make sense?

John / Billybob