Bill Moyers' Journal tonight: Debate over McCain-Feingold

[marmar]

September 4, 2009

The Supreme Court is returning early from its summer recess to consider a potential watermark case that could overturn a century of campaign finance restrictions and clear the way for unregulated spending by corporations on political campaigns. The case, Citizens United v. The Federal Election Commission, has grown from a limited question about a political documentary to a broad challenge to the government's right to restrict corporations from spending money to support or oppose political candidates.

Encompassing questions on First Amendment rights, the power of corporations and the influence of money on political elections, it's no wonder the case has created an assortment of strange bedfellows. Conservatives and liberals appear on both sides, either to defend the government's right to restrict corporate political advocacy or, on the other side, to argue that such regulations are a violation of the First Amendment.

To help sort through the complicated background and ramifications of the case, Bill Moyers talks with two prominent lawyers: Trevor Potter, president and general counsel of The Campaign Legal Center, who has submitted a brief to the court in support of the F.E.C.; and Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment attorney, who will be arguing before the court on behalf of Citizens United. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09042009/profile.html

[valerief]

1. If it's one thing America needs, it's corporations contributing to more campaigns.

For the sarcastically impaired: :sarcasm:

[malaise]

2. Thanks

Will be watching

[Doctor_J]

3. With the most corporate-friendly SCOTUS in history, it will go poorly

Roberts is a corporate attorney. He made millions protecting corporations from people and laws. This one's a done deal.

[rurallib]

4. Yep, I think Kennedy swings corporate so at best it is probably a

5-4 decision.

[malaise]

5. Kick n/t