Bush Signs McCain-Democrat Campaign Finance Bill; Republicans File Suit

Newsmax.com ^ | March 28, 2002

[rightwing2]

Bush Signs Campaign Finance Bill; NRA Sues
NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, March 28, 2002

WASHINGTON – President Bush on Wednesday signed campaign finance legislation that restricts speech and bans unregulated donations to political parties. "I believe that this legislation, although far from perfect, will improve the current financing system for federal campaigns," Bush said in a statement. The measure immediately drew legal challenges. Within a short time of Bush's signing, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had filed suit, as had National Rifle Association. Both denounced the law's infringement on freedom of speech. The law "eviscerates the core protections of the First Amendment by prohibiting, on pain on criminal punishment, political speech," said a legal complaint filed on behalf of NRA and its political victory fund. "We are proud to be one of the first plaintiffs to formally ask the federal court to invalidate these new limits on the political speech of ordinary citizens because we believe that this law cannot be allowed to stand, not even for a moment," stated Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the gun rights group. Bush signed the bill as he traveled to Greenville, S.C., and Atlanta to talk with emergency workers and on campaign fund-raising jaunts for Reps. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Saxby Chamblis, R-Ga.

The U.S. Senate approved the legislation on March 20 on a 60-40 vote that came hours after a last-ditch attempt to filibuster the bill. It was an identical version of the measure passed in February by the U.S. House of Representatives, avoiding a conference committee that could have been used to kill the bill. The campaign finance bill was sponsored by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and John McCain, R-Ariz. Upon learning Bush signed the bill, McCain issued a statement saying, "I'm pleased that President Bush has signed campaign finance reform legislation into law."

'I May Hesitate'

While traveling through El Salvador on Sunday, Bush joked with reporters about placing his name on the bill once it arrived at the White House: "It will probably take about three seconds to get to the W, I may hesitate on the period, and then rip through the Bush." The law bans unlimited contributions, known as "soft money," to national political parties and restricts issue ads aired by interest groups before elections. Bush had called the measure "flawed" but had said he would sign it. "I wouldn't have signed it if I was really unhappy with it. I think it improves the system," Bush told reporters during a stop at Greenville firehouse. "And it improves the system because it enables an individual to give more money. And I want to do is have a system that encourages more individual participation, as well as more disclosure." Still, he said, he had been concerned about a system where money was given to entities and stakeholders had no say. He said he was concerned mostly about corporate shareholders and labor union members not having the ability to object to how their money was being spent. However, although no one is required to buy stock in any company, many workers must pay union dues to have a job.

Opponents of the bill, such as McConnell, say the new law represents an unconstitutional limit to political speech. They note that limiting political advertising by non-affiliated groups will protect incumbents, further empower the media and remove the ability of citizens to band together over common political causes. McCain said last week the scandal surrounding bankrupt Enron Corp., and revelations that the energy trader had donated money to 72 of 100 senators and had pushed electric supply and commodities deregulation though the U.S. Capitol and state houses, helped the cause. Copyright 2002 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

[VRWC_minion]

However, constitutional scholars have agreed that Presidents may be impeached for nothing more than "bad acts" committed while in office

And those who will find him guilty of these bad acts are the ones who voted overwhelmingly for the bill he signed ?

[solo gringo]

I did not want to see bush sign this unlawful campaign bill BUT now that he did it he did it to get this off the table and let the courts settle it i trust him in this .You have to understand the mindset of john mccain he has taken more money from shady donors than any other senator and will keep doing it,Also he has tried to bring america to it knees with one loony deal after another but he has failed and will keep doing it he has no respect for the usa or geo bush or any other american.More and more we are seeing what an ass he has made of himself and the respect he has lost from friend and family you have to feel sorry for mccain he is a mixed up man and blames every one but the himself.

[TLBSHOW]

Sums up all your post so far. Good work!

[Howlin]

Take your best shot.

[McGavin999]

If Bush had merely vetoed this it would come back and keep coming back again and again and again. Remember, McConnel has been fighting this for over 10 years. Once it's declared unconstitutional by SCOTUS it is dead, done, over, no longer viable. SCOTUS will drive the silver stake through the heart of McCain/Finegold once and for all.

[Howlin]

Keyes has my vote for President in 2004 for now unless and until a more popular conservative declares his candidacy.

What a ringing endorsement for Keyes; you'll be for him until somebody POPULAR comes along? And you have the NERVE to sneer at Bush.

[Howlin]

Please read #66.

[gcruse]

I wonder if the same people who call Bush a RINO call other people sheeple?

[bybybill]

Wonder how McCain and the rats enjoyed the signing cerimooooaaaanies ? Do you think GWB was sending a little message--kinda like the rabbit and the briar patch. End of the day, after the 60 day BS is killed [and it stands no chance] and the rats find out that GWB doubled his campaign war chest, we will see who the real winner was.

[McGavin999]

LOL, now that's integrity!

[McGavin999]

I loved the comment about him sending the pens over to them. LOL

[TLBSHOW]

Then you have never read this yet, have you?

However, the bill does have flaws. Certain provisions present serious constitutional concerns. In particular, H.R. 2356 goes farther than I originally proposed by preventing all individuals, not just unions and corporations, from making donations to political parties in connection with Federal elections.

I believe individual freedom to participate in elections should be expanded, not diminished; and when individual freedoms are restricted, questions arise under the First Amendment.

I also have reservations about the constitutionality of the broad ban on issue advertising, which restrains the speech of a wide variety of groups on issues of public import in the months closest to an election.

I expect that the courts will resolve these legitimate legal questions as appropriate under the law.

President George W. Bush

Yes all you rats you have been snookered. This bill is going to be finished off once and for all, because of what President Bush did. And the rat trap is going to catch all of you demorats in one big swoop. Election day when you are voted back to the stone age, for daring to try and take away Free Speech in this country.

[rightwing2]

What a ringing endorsement for Keyes; you'll be for him until somebody POPULAR comes along? And you have the NERVE to sneer at Bush.

You obviously missed my point entirely. My point in so stating was:

1. Bush, though more popular, is no conservative.
2. Buchanan was much more popular than Keyes when he ran in 1992 and 1996 despite the fact that he was even more conservative than Keyes.
3. I believe that there are actual principled conservatives who are more electable out there who could potentially be elected President.

[Doc On The Bay]

"From Your Lips to God's Ear!!" <p. Doc

[TLBSHOW]

You best read post 72

[Howlin]

3. I believe that there are actual principled conservatives who are more electable out there who could potentially be elected President.

Name one.

[VRWC_minion]

Yes all you rats you have been snookered

I cannot wait until the GOP wakes up to the fact that they can let the liberal groups know whi it was that attempted to silence them. The liberals base is going to become a cheering squad of the conservative's who are challenging the laws in the courts. In the end they will be praising the same court they believe "selected the chimp".

Each I see more and more how the signing of this bill plays out and I admire the choice Bush made more and more.

I know its been said before but he plays chess not checkers.

[rabbitdog]

I find a great deal of hypocrisy to go around. Think about the fact that if money is free speech,and I think it is, and wish President Bush would have vetoed, but what about the existing campaign laws already. There are already limits on hard money (unconstitutional?) restrictions on soft money(unconstitutional?). Everyone is focused on the 60 day period, but think about who is restricted now. Republicans give more hard money now, but this is limited. My free speech is already limited because of what I can give monetarily. Let's keep in mind that Bush is not the one who created this mess, but is trying to do what he thinks will eventually help most and that is to eliminate this whole issue and move on by signing CFR. He also eliminated McCains' only issue.

[Old Fud]

sad when a GOP senator has to sue over a bill signed by a GOP president

You said it, and that's about the size of it.

But don't breathe a word of it to the Stepford Wives at "A Day in the Life of Bush".

[Howlin]

No matter what you think about what Bush did today, the fact that he signed this ALONE in the Oval Office, not in the Rose Garden giving John McCain any face time or the photo op he has been dreaming about for years just made my day.

CNN reported that McCain's staff was whining because "Bush didn't even tell Senator McCain he was going to sign it today. Bush didn't even call Senator McCain to tell him."

To which the White House replied, "Hey, we had a senior Bush administration official call his office, and we're going to send him a pen."