Posted on 07/01/2007 11:28:40 AM PDT by pissant
Washington - Capping nearly seven years of twists and turns and tenacious struggle, the Senate on Wednesday passed the most ambitious campaign reforms in a quarter-century, sending to President Bush a bill to ban the unlimited political contributions known as soft money.
While calling it "flawed in some areas," Bush said Wednesday that he would sign the legislation, creating a new set of ground rules for the presidential and congressional elections of 2004.
Opponents have promised a court challenge.
"This bill won't miraculously erase distrust and suspicion of the Congress overnight. It won't completely end the primacy of money," said Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold, who joined forces in 1995 with Arizona Republican John McCain in what became a signature crusade for both. "But it's a big step in the right direction," Feingold said.
Acknowledging the end of an epic legislative battle, opponents accepted their defeat with goodwill and gracious nods to the winners' persistence. But their indictment of the measure was fierce.
Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell said the bill's purpose is a "monumental reworking of the American political system" that assaults free speech. He called it a "sad day for our Constitution . . . a sad day for our democracy and for our political parties."
Though the final vote lacked suspense - passage was all but assured for weeks - it was historic and, at times, emotional.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Hey, sounds like alot of the same crowd who wanted Amnesty while completely IGNORING the conservative base.
It’s ironic but without campaign finance ‘reform’ a conservative may never get elected because they can’t raise the money that a liberal can. The 2008 campaign is illustrative. Since money is speech, liberals contribute more ‘speech’. Yes money talks and politicians listen.
Fred Thompson did this? OMG! That’s it, I’m throwing my vote away on some unknown pork-barreler Congressman with pyschotic supporters.
Yep.
Those were the days of bump lists- I put one together:
Silence, America!:
![]() Silence, America!: for Silence, America!. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register
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For later
Hey, in 4 years when the 2012 campaign has started, I’ll bet you will be donating to Mel Martinez....after he disavows his Amnesty Cheerleading,,,of course.
How soon people forgive. LOL
You know, if you guys would follow FReeper dirtboy’s advice and put all your energy into helping Hunter rather than hating on Fred, your candidate would up in the polls by now.
Apples and oranges, but pretend all you want. In addition, Hunter did not give a single speech in favor. Thompson was wearing McCain’s promise ring, if I recall.
Perhaps. Just want to make sure the record is clear. Fred goes from persona non grata to FR Hero all becasue Rudy is worse.
>>>>Since money is speech, liberals contribute more speech.
Problem is the country of origin with that speech.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1681380/posts
Jimmy Carter: The Untold Story
>>>While the ex-president has laudably worked for free and open elections in the developing world, he has also sought foreign influence in American elections to defeat his political enemies.<<<
Thanks to the Human Rights (Council/Campaign) President.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1794584/posts?page=91#91
Human Rights Campaign + Henry Harry Hay + Stonewall
There were harrowing moments yesterday when the fractious bipartisan coalition of senators supporting the McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill seemed in danger of blowing apart. Then in a dramatic turnaround, a compromise was reached raising regular campaign donation limits in the bill and swiftly approved by a lopsided vote of 84 to 16.
..........
The compromise worked out by Senators Fred Thompson, a Tennessee Republican, and Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat would increase from $1,000 to $2,000 the amount of hard money that individuals may contribute directly to parties and candidates.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E0D7173FF93AA15750C0A9679C8B63
Not only that, but Hunter voted to curb 527s - you know, the means by which the Swifties raised funds. In other words, he hamstrung the most effective organization for the GOP in 2004.
What was that about glass houses and throwing stones?
Thompson isn't perfect. Neither is Hunter. Only fools try to make issue of the other guy's warts while ignoring the same type of warts on their guy.
I’ve seen it referred to as the McCain-Feingold-Thompson bill, I believe.
Thompson also said the law didn't turn out as he thought it should, and that it should be modified or scrapped, but nevermind, that doesn't fit in with your smear agenda.
Fred goes from persona non grata to FR Hero all becasue Rudy is worse.
More sour grapes. Your candidate ran an 1800s-style campaign. Not our fault that he's not getting traction.
Since money is speech, liberals contribute more speech.
Since ‘speech’ buys more speech, one of the candidates who collects the most ‘speech’ usually wins.
Conservatives are screwed.
Fred has since said that the goal of getting money out of politics was a good one, but the bill failed in its purpose. He also said he voted wrong.
Ah, but he is getting traction. Granted, he did not have a TV series to become a household name. You left out that he has consistenlty sung the praises for McCain, even becoming his Tennessee campaign chairman. Hagel was his counterpart in Nebraska. LOL
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