GOP Greases Skids to Sink Campaign Finance Bill

CNSNews.com ^ | 2/20/02 | Jeff Johnson

[awestk]

PING (re: "strategery")

It is looking even better than I thought (feared)! All the good stuff, and House Pubbies get a possible lesson in political backbone and standing on their own all at once. Me likey! Westy want veto! Westy want death in committee or conference!

[sakic]

When did money metamorphosize into speech?

[xvb]

I don't think the public gives a hoot about CFR, and they would hardly notice if Bush vetoed it. He must use his popularity to take a principled stand for free speech and that includes the freedom of people to contribute to political parties unfettered. CFR amounts to government control of elections.

[wildandcrazyrussian]

Not only that, but it would impact US much more than the left. The reason is that the left-wingers can still go ahead and do something (without fear of prosecution lest some officials be described as, say, 'racist' or 'homophobic' for infringing on what would still be left-wing free speech rights) and THEN the left-wing media could replay it as often as desired AS NEWS -- but at the same time refuse air time to conservatives.

Even easier, the media could replay such ads FROM THE PAST --specifically described as "commentary" -- without any left-wing organization openly paying anything at all. We could see hundreds of playings of montages of "Great Political Ads from the Past", all of course anti-conservayive, in the void caused by Shays-Meehan.

We need to start describing Shays-Meehan / McCain-Feingold as the fascist political bludgeoning that it is.

[weikel]

I won't be able to support Bush anymore if he does not veto this tyrranical act.

[LS]

Perhaps all those amendments Dick Armey introduced, that were voted down, had a specific purpose after all---above and beyond trying to call the American public's attention to the fact that this is an unconstitutional piece of poop.

[Cincinatus]

When did money metamorphosize into speech?

Around the time Gutenberg invented printing with movable type, ca. 1450. Money has always facilitated speech in that the more money one has, the bigger megaphone one can buy.

BTW, Welcome to Earth.

[weikel]

The contribution limits are not the worst part you can go to jail for criticizing incumbents under this bill.

[LS]

Hypothetical: It's 1904 and you have a choice of voting for Teddy Roosevelt, a patriot, a man of honesty and integrity, a "big-defense guy" but one who clearly does NOT see any problem with business-bashing or infringing on SOME constitutional liberties, OR you can vote for the socialist (Eugene Debs) or the "Populist Democrat," William Jennings Bryan, who wanted total isolationism, an income tax, government ownership of all railroads and grain elevators, and rampant government-sponsored inflation.

I will fight against this bill with everything I have, but the world keeps turning, and REGARDLESS of what he does with this bill, I have to think that Bush is so superior in other important ways for the Republic that it would be assinine to vote for a DEM (which is what a vote for anyone else is).

[firewalk]

Veto H.R. 2356 President Bush!

[weikel]

I would normally agree but Bush( I hope he will veto it) not vetoing such a blatantly unconstituitional act is deeply disturbing to me. I can't support a man who does not protect the 1st & 2nd amendments.

[Nix 2]

Jim, we got to get this thing demolished in the senate if possible. Bush has never yet been given the credit he deserves for taking on the most important issues and beating liberal butt on things that are most important. I told Logos some time ago to watch carefully because Bush's style is not his daddy's style. He is much more savvy than any media, even conservative media have thought he would be and would cause their downfall one by one. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to see them be surprised yet again. I hope he has exceeded YOUR expectations as well.

He should fire a warning shot over their bow, btw. That might help McConnell in the Senate.

Shot fired in the original memo. That is why it's been released. Will help McConnell now, and hpefully will send this thing into the circular file where it belongs. Barring that, I have to believe that Bush will veto this obscenity. I have called the Whitehouse as many times as my phone bill can stand. Have called my Senator, Santorum, who I am sure would never vote for this thing if it ever gets to a vote. Have mass emailed Repub Senators several times.
Swamp them. Whitehouse and Senate. This is important. Just say NO!!!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[BlackElk]

Let's not let Gerald Ford off too easily. He chose Nelson Rockefeller to be Vice President, a heartbeat away from the White House. In his time, there was no more unforgiveable sin than that.

Secondly, Betty Ford is and was a social revolutionary, supporting abortion and homosexuality twenty five years ago!

Thirdly, Ford was a total suck up to the Demonrat leadership of his time having learned in 25 years of House service how to lose and kiss the shoes of Demonrat leadership.

Understand that Nixon named Ford in the undoubted belief that even Demonrats would not so jeopardize their country as to allow such a complete putz into the White House.

All of this, beginning with the appointment of His Accidency and Nixon's resignation led America to a new low: Gerald Ford vs. Jimmuh Carter.

Oh, I almost forgot. We would never have heard of Gerald Ford if it had not been for his naked and essentially anti-American ambition to defeat a solid American and Republican congressman in a primary because the congressman was not a cheerleader for the United Nations.

By now, even Jimmuh Carter looks better than Gerald Ford. The only thing you can really say for Ford was that he was not the Arkansas Antichrist.

[LouD]

Hang any sorry SOB caught taking money from a foreign corporation or government.

Retroactive to 1992

[AAABEST]

If this bill passes the senate, and the President does not veto it, what then will be your, and 'Free Republic LLC', position as to advocacy and further support of George W. Bush?

In 4 years, I haven't seen much "advocacy" from JR.

Yeah, maybe he gets practical and pragmatic when confronted with reality but for this most part FR has rolled along as a free wheel. Many of us try to push him in different directions to get him to advocate things, but he ususally blows it off unless things reach critical mass.

If there is advocacy it's in regard to the constitution and conservatism ....even libertarianism, rarely if ever candidates.

[BlackElk]

Whatever else may be the case, George W. Bush is no Gerald Ford. After eight years of the Arkansas Antichrist, anyone who would not vote for Bush's re-election and thinks himself or herself conservative is not paying much attention.

[weikel]

I support him for now its just if this passes he better veto it.

[OldFriend]

After listening to Shays on with Hannity yesterday afternoon it is clear that this bill is nothing but a scam and once again Shays can be counted on to betray his country and his party.

[steve50]

About the same time a tax increase became revenue enhancement, and a tax cut became federal spending.

We need to remember words have meanings