I'll tell my wife right away that you referred to me as a "Constitutional stud muffin." I think she will beg to differ, just a bit.
Re: your questions: Soft money can still be given to the parties for allegedly non-partisan efforts such as "get out the vote" campaigns. Of course it is a wink and a nod that GOTV campaigns are non-partisan -- these are mostly Democratic efforts to turn out Democratic voters. Republican voters can go hang. (Republicans do the reverse.)
Anyone can still purchase "issue" advertising after 2 September. What has changed is that issue-oriented groups CANNOT run ads after that which refer to a "federal candidate" by name or by showing a picture. THAT is the abomination established by the Campaign Finance "Reform" Act.
Knock 'em dead in Iowa.
John / Billybob
So, I'm interperting your response to me to indicate that very soon we will quit received 5 phone calls a day begging for money and the postman's shoulder will be lighter because all the money requests will dry up? Is that correct?