Posted on 01/18/2006 5:57:23 AM PST by .cnI redruM
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. expressed doubts yesterday about legal restrictions on political ads by outside groups as the Supreme Court took up a new challenge to the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law.
Questioning Solicitor General Paul D. Clement, who was defending the law, Chief Justice Roberts raised a hypothetical case in which a group runs an issue ad every month. Does the ad, he asked, become illegal in the months before an election? Mr. Clement responded that such a group could continue to run the ads if it used political action committee money to pay for them, or if it refrained from identifying a candidate by name.
But Justice Antonin Scalia said that would undercut the purpose of the ad, adding, "The point of an issue ad is to put pressure on an incumbent you want to vote your way."
At issue is a provision banning the use of corporate or union money for ads that identify federal candidates two months before a general election. The case involves a lawsuit by Wisconsin Right to Life, which was barred from broadcasting ads that mentioned Sen. Russell D. Feingold, Wisconsin Democrat, during his 2004 re-election campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Will Ann Coulter the skank eat crow?
But I thought that the 1st only protected free speach... Oh wait, I get it now.
It protects speech we pay for as well.
I think Coulter's arguments were valid. I supported Roberts, but couldn't fault her logic. She's right. A lot of conservative judges HAVE become liberals on the court. But I'm still glad he's there and that likely Alito will follow.
Let's wait and see how he rules on the case before demanding that Ann eat crow. And having seen and talked to Ann C in person, I can assure you that your characterization of her as a skank is about as far off base as if you had speculated what "hillary the babe" thought about it.
Will George Bush ever be criticized for signing this bad law?
You are probably right about that. I was very defensive re: ROberts when she attacked him unfairly.
Or the Bush Administration lawyer that is defending this law in Court?
He's not interested in finding his veto pen.
He is all for Campaign Finance Reform, Prescrption Drug Entitlements, New Federal Education spending, huge budget deficits, ad nauseum.
GET ALITO ON THE COURT AND LET'S GUT THIS PIECE OF CRAP "LAW"!!
Bush has been criticized for signing the law...even by people like me who still strongly support him. He's still a better man than anyone the 'rats would put up: including Hillary.
Firstly, while you were playing Nintendo or watching 'Buffy the Vampire,' Ann Coulter was one of the few conservative warriors willing to withstand and dismantle the liberal onslaught during the Clinton years.
As to your snide insinuation that Miss Coulter must "eat crow" because she questioned the conservative bonafides of Justice Roberts, guess what? The jury is STILL out on him as to just how "conservative." he actually is.
Quite frankly, many of us questioned the integrity and motives of Dubya for trying to slip in an unqualified even MORE unknown quantity like Harriet (just-trust-me) Miers.
rules...
That's the problem with "Bush may have done some bad things, but he's still better than ____"
With that logic, we'll never have someone in there who is a true conservative.
Not that I am under any illusion that we ever will...too many Republicans are all for Republican versions of Socialism.
Roberts and Thomas don't seem to agree with each other on some issues. What makes you think Alito would see things your way?
Yes, he has been thoroughly chastised for not vetoing it. He assumed the SCOTUS would not allow it - regardless he was wrong to have signed it. This bill not only assaulted the First Amendment, it has allowed Special Interests to trump over the people - Special Interest is running the Alito nomination and the Democrats. I hope the court will overturn this abominable law; it is totally unconstitutional.
"Will Ann Coulter the skank eat crow?"
Is that protected speach too? What if she were running for office next month?
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