[Greeklawyer]

The rules vary from state to state. In any situation, taping a phone conversation without telling the other person is forbiden. Taping during a face to face conversation is possible. What expectation of privacy did the participants have? Was the offending party invited? Florida has a privacy ammendment to the statute. Political espionage is somewhat frowned upon. (particularly after watergate. see also the bush 2000 debate tape criminal case)

Consider private investigators who tape wayward spouses in bars trying to pick up undercover private eye operatives. Those face to face conversation are admitted in divorce courts to show expendetures on affairs. (affairs are irrelevant, spending money on affairs is relevant)

Short answer: Yes, they could make a legal argument to get away with it provided the person was in the room for a legitimat reason and not just as a "bug". It is sleazy, immoral, but it flows to the "no controlling legal authority."

Now: is there a federal law against taping political campaign strategy sessions.

[floriduh voter]

Thanks for weighing in. I'm sure Jeb's counsel is all over this thing as they should be. That's one less legislator that Jeb can trust (the one who invited/let the Gannett reporter in the room). Jeb was unaware that any media were in the room or that it was being taped.

It was a discussion about the "class size amendment" so maybe it passes the campaign strategy threshold. Time will tell. FV