Who wins and who loses under campaign finance bill

CNN.com ^ | March 20, 2002 | CNN Staff

[jwalsh07]

Gracis mi amigo.

[jwalsh07]

Gracias dim bulb.

[jwalsh07]

What's the difference between spending and contributing? There is none

Well, that being the case the next time you go on a spending binge just send me the money and I'll consider it a contribution.

You getting the drift here?

[eaglebeak]

What do you think media is, if not a collection of individuals who get together to provide news? Why can't other collections of individuals also get together and provide their viewpoint on events?

Well they can! They should, gollydarnit! What is your point?

[jwalsh07]

OK, did you read the link I provided that was written by David Mason, top gun at the FEC?

[eaglebeak]

What do you think media is, if not a collection of individuals who get together to provide news? Why can't other collections of individuals also get together and provide their viewpoint on events?

Well they can! They should, gollydarnit! What is your point?

[firebrand]

Supporters dispute this [that it abridges the First Amendment], saying that groups and individuals can still run issue ads if they use hard money and disclose the source of the ads.

If you choose to give your money to a political party in order for them to do issue ads, then you no longer have that choice for 90 days of the year.

[Torie]

I agree with the winners and losers analysis more or less, although I think the size of the wins and losses is exaggerated. Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose. Except of course for the 1st amendment, which is a BIG loser on the 60 day window thing. Except that the loss should have a short half life if SCOTUS bounces it. I see the reference again to advocacy groups being able to run ads in the 60 day window with "hard money." What does that mean? Whose hard money, and how does it become hard?

Post 62 was just rather amusing verbal diarrhea. The guy apparently never heard of television, and its impact in American politics, and that it is expensive, while the concept of folks using intermediaries to protect their interests, or pursue their issues, rather than just cutting checks themselves, is apparently too abstract a concept for him to fully grasp.

[firebrand]

So people would have to sign donor cards for $5 donations to their party? They wouldn't, probably. And there would go not only a lot of money but also the voice of the small donor in issue advertising.

[eaglebeak]

Yes, the Heritage Foundation site. But I'm a natural skeptic in the middle of all of this panic. Something doesn't add up here. The Right-to-Life/NRA letter is interesting. . .CFR seems to be about accountability more than anything else.

[SuziQ]

Whatever happened to the 'line item veto'? Did that actually ever pass, and if it did, can't Bush just line out the things he believes are unconstitutional then send it back to the Senate?

[ohioWfan]

ROFLOL!!!! I was laughing at this delicious post before I realized that it was what you were pinging me to!

It made my day! Thanks, Arne!!

[SUSSA]

No! That's just the worst part. Plus, Bush has an obligation to protect and defend the Constitution. He swore an oath to God that he would do that. The Supreme Court was never intended to be a political mask for the president. It isn't there for him to hide behind when he is afraid to do the right and honorable thing.

All through the Clinton years people here were jumping up and down that Clinton couldn't be trusted because he didn't keep his wedding vows.

Now Bush is breaking his oath of office and some of those same people are saying, that's ok its just politics. well it's not ok. It is the same thing.

I, for one, am very disappointed. I never labored under the impression that Bush was a conservative. I knew better since I live in Texas and pay attention to what is going on. But. I must admit, I did think he was an honorable man.

My mistake!! I was fooled and I admit it.

[SUSSA]

The court says there is and their opinion counts more than yours.

[baseballmom]

Bravo, Bravo, Arne.

I'm concerned, but not hysterical. I have a lot of faith in President Bush. He stepped on Kyoto like is was a pesky bug. He dismissed the AMB treaty with the former Soviet Union. He acted wisely and decisively in response to 9/11. He cut our taxes. I think he has done a very good job.

Most of us here don't know the goings on behind closed doors in Washington. But I'm betting that President Bush knows exactly what he is doing, and that it will work out well.

So much of what I have read on FR is taking President Bush to task for this CFR. He does NOT make the laws. Congress does. He cannot sit on this bill once it is out of the Congress. He either signs or vetoes. Apparently, this is a veto proof bill. So, he signs, gets McCain off his back and the media and the left wingers off his back too. The bill goes to the Supreme Court, and if it is unconstitutional they smack it down. Case closed.

[going hot]

bump for later reading

[SUSSA]

Whatever happened to the 'line item veto'? Did that actually ever pass, and if it did, can't Bush just line out the things he believes are unconstitutional then send it back to the Senate?

It passed and the Supremes struck it down.

[kayak]

... Arne ~~~ This is absolutely brilliant!!!

I nominate it for Quote of the Day, Essay of the Week, Post of the Year ....

Thanks to all who pinged me here.

[ArneFufkin]

Look, I don't blame Mexican American Freepers like you and Sabertooth from being nervous about the encroachment of Chinese into YOUR cities; cities such as Contra Costa, Los Gatos, San Mateo, San Lenandro, Santa Clara, LaJolla, El Monte, Pasadena, San Bernadino, Sierra Madre, Salinas, San Jose, Cerritos, Laguna Niguel, and of course, the center of all Mexican culture ... City of Industry! These are Mexican named cities, this is historic Spanish and Mexican culture, this IS your ethnic world! The Chinese "way" is scary and their influx and influence and propagation is seemingly unstoppable. They don't laugh or sing or dance in public, they take American jobs being risk-taking entreprenurial business and shop owners, they eat with sticks, they're bloating your schools and winning all the Science Fair blue ribbons, they live way too long and they talk way too fast. And it's likely that they're talking about you! But I say to Sabertooth ... try to remember back when some morons thought you and YOUR Mexican culture was going to be the end of our blessed America the free and righteous. God, weren't those pantloads stupid? Dumb ass comments highlighted with a self-indulgent and annoying moniker icon ... how dismal was that? I don't like to remember ... does anyone have a Dramamine?

[RAT Patrol]

thank you. exactly!