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.

[Dave S]

I lost a bet, I was sure the Libertarians would be first in line.

They were too stoned for an early morning filing.

[1Old Pro]

The NRA defending the constitution again. Good for us.

[Rodney King]

Thanks

[BigTime]

But they can't respond to the quesiton of how, precisely, this will help the conservative cause. I'm listening intently. I want to engrave their response in my heart and along with them be proud of our newly elected officials come Novemember when the sweeping surge of conservatism finally takes hold!

Please, enlighten me, folks!

[Redcloak]

[Tree of Liberty]

IT would have been impossible to take it to court before this morning since it was not yet law. Courts can, ostensibly, only deal with what's on the books.

[Mr. Bungle]

"Plus, I get one of those neat ball caps that scare my co-workers. :)"

LOL. I was standing in line at a store, and noticed the guy in front of me wearing an NRA-ILA hat. He noticed me looking at the hat, saying guardedly, "Yes, it's an NRA hat." I then took out my membership card, which gave the guy a nice chuckle.

The lady at the checkout counter got scared, twice. ;)

[gov_bean_ counter]

Did you see Bush's comments before speaking in South Carolina? As always what the President doesn't say is often as important as what he does say. He said regaining control of the Senate is of primary importance. He also said he wants Denny Hastert to be back as Speaker of the House. No word of Lott.

He also commented on the CFR pointing out all the things in the bill that he needed to see for the bill to move forward. The others if "truly unconstitutional" will be struck down. CFR was going to go this route anyway. I think better sooner than later for several reasons.

[Illbay]

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.

I suspect he's gonna get an earful.

[Wphile]

They were too stoned for an early morning filing.

ROFLMAO!

[stevio]

So we have to waste our NRA money, taking to court something that "Our Man" should never have signed in the first place?!? Bush sucks!

[Illbay]

Waddya mean, "about time"? The bill was only signed into law today, and the NRA was on it within an hour.

The courts won't hear challenges to PENDING legislation.

[SirFishalot]

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

[MassExodus]

Now when, no, IF The Supremes rule this un-Constitutional,

we'll see how easy it will be for Bush to get another Conservative on the bench after they kill the medias pet project.

Seems it would have been easier to take a leadership role against this earlier in the process.

[Wphile]

No word of Lott.

Cool. Lott has got to go. My vote goes to McConnell!

[MJY1288]

"I just lost my freedom of speech. I suppose FR will be shutting down any minute now. :-)"

LOL, after all the hand-wringing over this bill, I'm amazed Ashcroft hasn't taken my computer by now :-)

[SuziQ]

Bush signed the measure in the Oval Office — without the public signing ceremony often staged for major legislation.

I'm glad the NRA has filed suit. And if he had to sign it to bury it, I'm glad he did it in the Oval office to rob McCain and Feingold and Shays and Meehan of their glory! Now the Democrats can't use it as a club in the next election.

And for all of those who are threatening NOT to vote for Bush because of this, why don't you give it some time to see what happens BEFORE you do anything rash. It was obvious that the shift in power in the Senate helped this along. Work hard to get some more Repubs. in Congress, and if it has to be a RINO, try to get the least egregious RINO you can find; at least the Repubs. would be in charge of the committees again. Do you really want Bush to have to battle against the Democrat controlled Senate Judiciary Committee for the next few years in order to get his judicial nominees? If you want to see some REAL change, we HAVE to get some more conservative Supremes, and where Dem Senators will not be affected by pressure from the White House, a Repub. might!

Others may prefer philosophical purity, I just want the Repubs. in charge of the committees again because Bush's agenda has no chance otherwise!

[Illbay]

No, there were no restrictions given to the amount of pot smoked nor coke snorted, so the Liberines lost interest.

Or was that "focus"?

[dasher]

Why did Bush sign this when he no-doubt knew it would be quickly challenged? What happened to principled leadership?

It's one of two things, either GWB is truly a idiot who has totally alienated the GOP's values. Or if we are lucky it's just a ploy to take ammo away from the democRATs arguments knowing that it would be trounced by the supreme court later on. I think it's more than likely the first. :(

[RooRoobird14]

OUTSTANDING work by he NRA!!!

Time to send more cash to my buds at the NRA. (and I don't even own a gun--LOL)

God bless Wayne LaPierre and My Hero (and true love--LOL)Chuck Heston!!!!