Bush signs Campaign Reform, NRA Sues

AP/Yahoo ^ | 03/25/02 | SCOTT LINDLAW

[PeteF]

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - President Bush signed landmark campaign finance legislation Wednesday and the National Rifle Association swiftly filed suit challenging the constitutionality of the new law.

Bush signed the measure in the Oval Office — without the public signing ceremony often staged for major legislation. In a written statement, he said that while the bill has flaws, it "improves the current system of financing for federal campaigns."

Bush then embarked on a two-day swing to South Carolina and Georgia, where he planned to raise more than $3 million for GOP candidates for Congress.

Critics have long argued the legislation violates the Constitution, and the NRA was the first in line to file its challenge at the federal courthouse a few blocks from the White House. The legislation "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 the NRA and its political victory fund.

[browardchad]

As soon as you all learn that, perhaps you will get out and vote some more Republicans in.

And CFR has encouraged us to get out and vote more Republicans in? Exactly how?

[Lazamataz]

Read my post, Laz. I said the NRA would not be stopped by this bill.

It appears that the NRA disagrees with Nix 2.

[sinkspur]

Oh, I see, even if a law violates the constitution is OK because it provides a political advantage.

The hard money provisions are likely not unconstitutional.

[anniegetyourgun]

It won't do anything relative to this fall's election since it doesn't go into effect until after that date - IF it survives court, which is unlikely.

[Patriotic Rich]

The president's column (Charlton Heston) in the April copy of American Rifleman, is great! I wish I could share this with all.

[concerned about politics]

the President's legal representative will be opposing the NRA in court.

They have to. It's their job. Whether they agree to it or not. They are there to represent the Houses. No one else.

[Satadru]

Are you suggesting he did not lie and smear other Republicans during the primaries to get the nomination? So much for the 11th commandment.

[monday]

"The GOP has TWICE as many hard money donors as the Democrats."

Correction, used too have twice as many. I won't be donating again till Bush begins to show some principles.

[Jaidyn]

They called the other day soliciting money to fight this. Of course, I helped them out. When the SC shoots this down, it will forever be a non-issue for either party! It's too bad they put Bush on the spot and I don't think he handled it well, but time will tell. Since it doesn't go into effect until after the elections, we can take note how much the democrats abuse the system and let the world know. I'm going to kick and kick and kick like never before. I took somewhat of a rest after the elections last year but am ready to jump start my adrenalin again.

[zeaal]

Might it be possibile for FR to not be allowed to operate 60 days prior to an election?

[anniegetyourgun]

#59 - ROFL!

[anniegetyourgun]

Enjoy oblivion!

[pgkdan]

What happened to principled leadership?<p.You need a principled leader with core values and principles and the balls to fight for them.

[VA Advogado]

I would post something, but according to what I've been reading on FR, I just lost my freedom of speech. I suppose FR will be shutting down any minute now. :-)

Like me, you were probably hoping Larry Klayman and Jucidial Watch would be the first one at the court house door, taking up the fight for us. Oh well. I guess the bill didn't effect their fundraising.

[bloodmeridian]

I guess no one can claim any longer that the NRA protects only one amendment.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Slave Reparations? That suit is nothing, just wait until you see my Salem Witch Trial Reparations filing.

Heh, that would actually be a good idea. A slew of various reparations lawsuits might help put the slavery one in perspective. Nothing like some serious, real-life satire :)

[SBeck]

Hard money is increased from $1,000 to $2,000 per donor, per candidate.

OK, so this is doubled. That's a pittance when you consider that the Rats will find other ways to raise money anyway. Do you think the unions won't find a way to get their membership to funnel hard donations now?

Conservatives are being asked to drink this cup of swill and pretend we like it. Why is it always the conservatives that are capitulating?

Actually, it reduces the number of donors significantly. $2000 doesn't sound like much until you write the check. By reducing the number of households that can contribute, CFR has widened the gap between the influencers and the non-influencers.

[Redbob]

"It's about time..."

As amazing as it is that the NRA has actually taken some action, I still find this "it's about time" remark puzzling:
How could anyone have filed suit sooner? I mean, you can't file suit against a law before it's signed, can you?

[Blake#1]

Excellent!!!!!! Great use of the language.

[VRWC_minion]

Looks like Bush and the NRA synchronized their watches.