U.S. Court strikes down part of McCain-Feingold Campaign Law

[RandDisciple]

reported 15:38 bloomberg news

[justshe]

"The court made its ruling effective immediately, barring the Federal Election Commission from enforcing the restrictions it struck down. "

Sounds like someone would have to file for a 'stay' in order for this to NOT go into effect immediately.

[nicmarlo]

and can't be used as a stupid campaign issue.

Yeah, they can't say that Bush wouldn't sign it into law...... : )

[Wphile]

The one judge who upheld the entire law happened to be a Bill Clinton appointee.

Gee...what a surprise. Goes to show how important those judicial appointments are!!

[RAT Patrol]

I disagree that he did the right thing. It is never the right thing to sign an unconstitutional law. But right now it doesn't matter. He got lucky, but it isn't over until the SCOTUS sings. I think we will be okay there.

[nicmarlo]

it isn't over until the SCOTUS sings. I think we will be okay there.

Of that, really, I'm about 99.99% positive! : )

[hoosiermama]

Thank god for the constitution again!

[July 4th]

Thank God...

[aristeides]

Until we have the opinions, we have no idea what the dissenter dissented on. I think it's most unlikely he would have upheld the whole act.

[goldstategop]

I agree. The President let us all down by signing an unconstitutional law. His veto would have probably been sustained. Our entire political system has suffered a black eye since our politicians showed they could not give a damn about the Constitution. I'm sure if our Congresscritters thought they could repeal the First Amendment a majority of them probably would vote today to get rid of it.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

You see, the left and their RINOenablers wanted to maintain unlimited free speech for Sarandon, Robbins, Garaffalo, Ferrel, et al who could get free media attention because of their "celebrity", but place hard limits on ordinary folks who were forced to pay cash for their "free" speech.

[aristeides]

link to opinions.

[Wphile]

It is never the right thing to sign an unconstitutional law.

Well, in principle I agree but in practical terms, since politicians aren't necessarily the sharpest tools in the shed, how do we know if something is unconstitutional until it is ruled as such. Of course, we all knew it was unconstitutional but the dems and McCain certainly didn't think so. Ergo, a ruling was necessary to settle the issue.

[jackbill]

The ruling came from a special three-member, fast-track panel of Appeals Court Judge Karen Henderson, District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly and District Judge Richard Leon.

The votes were 2-1 so some idiot wanted to uphold it.

Guess who?

Judge Karen Henderson - appointed by G. H. W. Bush

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly - appointed by Clinton

Judge Richard Leon - appointed by G. W. Bush

[Republican Wildcat]

In a 2-1 vote, the court ruled that political parties can raise corporate and union contributions for general party-building activities such as get-out-the-vote drives and voter registration but cannot use it for issue advertising.

So advertising can still only be run using hard money. That largely favors the GOP.

[Wphile]

But, but, but...I thought they were just speaking as "average americans!" And poor tim robbins was bemoaning the lack of free speech. Yep, he said it and he even said it on national TV in front of the National Press Club!

These hollywood yahoos are such frickin' idiots, it's nauseating. Don't talk to be about free speech buddy as you're talking away on national TV while I can't even get a letter to the editor printed. AAARRRGHHH!

[nicmarlo]

another link:

Reform Update:

President Bush's signing of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 is far from the end of the reform story. The coming months will see several court challenges to the new law, as well as efforts by the Federal Election Commission to write the rules that will determine how much of the law works in the real world. Watch this space to keep track of developments on these two fronts.

[fooman]

The sarcasm was directed at the liberal media and NOT you.

Sorry if there was any misunderstanding at all. You just happened to be the guy I hit reply to. Sorry!

I am happy the hard money is doubled through Bushes' strategy, so that hard working middle class people can re elect him!

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Don't Congresscritters take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution? How does passing unConstitutional laws fit into such an oath? For that matter, the President does for sure take such an oath. He should be ashamed for having signed an obviously flawed bill into law.

[Wphile]

Hmmm...let me guess. The clinton appointee?

[bruinbirdman]

...our senators knew the entire time what they voted for was flatly unconstitutional. It doesn't say much for their respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, now does it?

It took the wedge issue out of McPain's campaign. The neo-com's and media used it to monopolize political reporting (as they do with abortion). Equal time equaled neo-coms ranting about conservatives and abortion then equal time to McPain ranting about contributions.

yitbos