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.

[Wphile]

No matter what, Bush won't get another Conservative on the Supreme Court unless he gets the Senate back. Look what they did to Pickering!

Bush has his eye on November and frankly, that's where our eyes should be as well. CFR is going to be struck down by the court and due to the expedition clause in the bill, it may even happen before November.

[WilliamWallace1999]

Go NRA, Go. You just guaranteed my continued membership. Makes up for backing that land-grab legislation out west.

[Howlin]

I'm sure he's on his way to your house right this minute; start packing!

[MJY1288]

"They were too stoned for an early morning filing."

BRWAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAA, The worst part is...You're probably correct

[RamsNo1]

What are you afraid of---other people's freedom of speech? Freedom of speech is like campaign money---it flows no matter how you try to stop it.

[sinkspur]

But they can't respond to the quesiton of how, precisely, this will help the conservative cause.

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

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

[Wphile]

No it's NOT. It's the latter. Listen, the Dems are already on record saying this is only the first step towards their ultimate goal which is public financing of campaigns. If Bush vetoed, the issue would become even more front and center (at least with the media and the Congress, not with the people) than it is already. A firm ruling by the SCOTUS will put the brakes on the entire agenda. It is the best and most effective way to stopping it. The bill stinks, Bush knows it, and this is the best route to proving it.

[Rowdee]

Everybody should be happy.....lawyers are already making money on this issue.....gotta love the spineless jellyfish called politcians.

[wheezer]

No matter what, Bush won't get another Conservative on the Supreme Court unless he gets the Senate back.

Flipping Jeffords was all about the courts.

If the GOP wants to hold a Senate majority, they better make sure they do so with more than a three seat margian or more RINO's will flip it right back to the Clinton Machine.

[Mike-o-Matic]

Yeah, no kidding! The speed with which this took place is astonishing. Way to go NRA!!

[Dave S]

I would offer one tidbit for your digestion: when Bush took control, "we" held both houses and yet we're still the ones that have to compromise our principles in the interest of maintaining power.

How many times do I have to teach you newbies the facts of political life. You dont dont control the Senate with 51 votes. You cant get permission to sneeze in the Senate without 60 votes. Any single member can hold up any bill or any appointment unless you can get sixty senators to vote with you on stopping the filbuster. The same thing is true to a lesser extent in the House. Gingrich had much more fun and success as being the minority guy that got to throw a wrench into the works and prevent legislation from passing. A tough minority can stop legislation but a numerical majority doesnt ensure its passage.

Being in the majority did help from the standpoint of chairing the various committes giving you some discretion on when to schedule meetings, etc. But that was lost with Jeffords betrayal.

Raw numbers such as having 318 in the House or 51 in the Senate dont mean you have a majority. As soon as you all learn that, perhaps you will get out and vote some more Republicans in.

[Ragin1]

What is Bush's agenda?

[eureka!]

Hence the ";^)"...

[Wphile]

????

[linn37]

party pooper ,can't we spend the day reading I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR BUSH AGAIN posts?????? I need to send in the hubbys NRA dues I knew they would get in the fight!

[rko1933]

Did you smoke your breakfast this morning?

[MJY1288]

I can guarantee you that President Bush speaks to Mitch McConnell and the NRA and was well aware, and probably working with them on what should be removed from this bill.

[arly]

Bush just lost my vote!

[sinkspur]

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's all bluster. When Howard Phillips is the alternative in 2004, we'll see how much outrage is still in the pipeline.

[Dan from Michigan]

GO NRA. Kick McCain's, Bush's, Carl LEnin's, Debbie Stabusall's, and Feingold's asses.