FEC looks to BAN 527's from getting Soft money

[1floridademocrat]

As they say...

"Rut Ro!"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61609-2004Jan29.html


The issue is this, if the FEC says the supreme court's decision on campaign finance applys to 527's as well.. so ANY MONEY AFTER 5000, (just like any other 3rd party group) would have to be returned.

And from my understanding, if the FEC makes this decision, the can enforce it as well.

This if it comes to pass.. is bad. Very very bad..

Means: 527's will have to send back a HUGE chunk of cash
Means: 527's will have almost no ability to impace the election, will be bound by the same ad/issue rules as more traditional groups.

It also means that anyone who DIDN'T drop out of matching funds can have some serious problems coming.

Hold out to your hats, I wouldn't be all that surprised if this decision by the FEC comes soon, REaL soon.

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Well now,

isn't this interesting. :grr: Of course this comes AFTER the Dean ad ran in Iowa, right? This is to stop George Soros and his $$$$ from helping the Dems. We already know how the Republican Supreme Court will vote. There's got to be another way Soros can use his $$ to help.

[maddezmom]

2. amazing

NOT! I can't believe they can change the rules in the middle of the game. Actually, I can. What else are they going to do, make it illegal for Dems to vote. God, I really, really hate the repubs. :mad:

[ShaneGR]

3. Well, the Supreme Court just ruled on BICRA... so.....

Their ruling did not include anything reversing soft money to the 527's. Basically if the FEC tried to do this, everyone would sue again and it would have to go back through the court system.


TRANSLATION: No ruling until after November.

[1floridademocrat]

4. Actaully..

from what I understand , the FEC is BASING this decision on the Supreme Court decision.



I know that a lot of people think that the rules couldn't possibly be changed before this election, but if the FEC rules that the soft money (express advocacy) loophole was elimitated by the supreme court (which is what most lawyers think) then all it will take is an FEC ruling to ban the donations.

Period.

And even IF the 527's challenge, from what I understand they would have to send the money back, then fight for it. Either way.. they would lose the money at least until after the election.