McCain-Find gold: RNC uses finance law to illustrate its flaws

Union Leader ^ | June 27 2002

[2Trievers]

OPPONENTS of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law said it violated the U.S. Constitution, was too broad in scope and would be overly intrusive and burdensome for groups involved in legitimate political activity. Proponents said that was just a bunch of hot air. But now one opponent has proven the critics correct.

Last week the Republican National Committee had a host of political interest groups, mostly left-leaning and pro Democrat, subpoenaed to find out if their political activity violated the McCain-Feingold law. Naturally, the groups that received the subpoenas cried foul. They said they would have to divulge sensitive information that they should not have to make public.

The RNC asked these groups (including the National Education Association, U.S. Term Limits, the National Abortion Rights Action League, Emily’s List, the League of Conservation Voters and the American Trial Lawyers Association) for detailed lists of their donors and their political activity. The RNC also asked each group whether any of their “activities corrupt or appear to corrupt any federal candidate or federal office holder.”

The campaign finance law, you may remember, was intended to put a stop to any political activity that corrupted or appeared to corrupt candidates for federal office.

The RNC said it went after the records of these groups to show how the campaign finance law violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution by allowing special interest groups to continue raising and spending soft money for the purpose of influencing federal elections.

“This is overly burdensome, it’s vague and overbroad,” a spokesman for NARAL told The Washington Times about the RNC’s actions. Maybe so. But then, so is the law that allows this sort of intrusion to take place.

[OXENinFLA]

If you write a law you should abide by that law, Duh.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

If you write a law you should abide by that law, Duh

Unfortunately, the Clintoons taught the libs that the rules don't apply to them.

[goldstategop]

The Four Comrades are outraged the Republicans are using a law meant to harm them upon the liberals. They forgot the old adage "be careful what you wish for; you just might get it." And now the Rats are royally screwed. Now that's what I call poetic justice!