RNC considers selling TV rights of presidential primary debates

[Hestia]

RNC considers selling TV rights of presidential primary debates
By Mark Preston and Robert Yoon, CNN
March 15, 2011 7:50 p.m. EDT

Washington (CNN) -- The Republican National Committee is considering sanctioning the GOP presidential primary debates and then selling the broadcast rights to news outlets, two Republicans with knowledge of the idea tell CNN.

The proposal was mentioned last week during a meeting of top RNC officials and a handful of political operatives representing potential GOP presidential candidates.

In February, the RNC disclosed it was saddled with more than $22 million of debt left over from the 2010 midterm elections. At that time, newly elected Chairman Reince Priebus acknowledged the committee has "a lot of work to do" to pay off its obligations so it can focus on raising money for the 2012 presidential election.

It is unclear if it is legal for the RNC to sell the broadcasting rights or whether it would constitute a prohibited political contribution in the eyes of federal law.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/15/rnc.debates/index.html?hpt=T2
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My gosh, is there a level they will not stoop to?

[trumad]

1. It certainly is a wya to fund the RNC.

[rfranklin]

2. This is probably a scheme allowing Fox to contribute to the RNC...

without it being a campaign contribution.

[Hestia]

10. Interesting, very interesting - if it's Fox, Murdoch, et al, you know they found a loophole

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Let me get this straight.

By federal law, television networks and/or stations can't charge for campaign debates; therefore they must be a free service.

The republicans are proposing that THEY are allowed to charge for what the television stations by law are not allowed to charge.

Furthermore, the television network/stations have to PAY for a program that they originally could have charged for but for federal law. They end up with an expenditure instead of a profit.

I don't think so . . . .

[onenote]

7. I don't know of any federal law that bars stations or networks from charging for debate time

If they agree to air a debate, they have to treat all candidates equally, but they could charge the organization hosting the debate if they wanted to.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. I thought it was mandated by the FEC to give free air time to debates.

Not commercials. Debates.

I'll have to do some research.

Thanks.

[rurallib]

4. has no value unless it turns into a WWF type wrasslin' match

[Hestia]

11. LOL!

[C_U_L8R]

5. Selling out Democracy to the highest bidder

it's the republican way

[Historic NY]

6. commerical every few minutes should fill the coffers & allow Palin time to finish her crib notes.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. that is so fitting. Whores on stage, being whored on TV

Of course, to the rest of the thinking whirled, they will appear to be greedy, money grubbing, jerks.

[Metric System]

12. I wonder if Comedy Central is interested? Or maybe Syfy?

[maxrandb]

13. I think this is awesome

but only if they wear jumpsuits like the NASCAR drivers with all their corporate sponsors prominently displayed. Then, during the debate, and announcer could say; "this statement against labor unions brought to you by Koch Industries", or "this statement on drilling in ANWR brought to you by Exxon-Mobile", and then let the Repuke make their statement.

[OhioBlue]

15. no kidding!!! n/t

[rasputin1952]

14. I don't think there is an Evil Clown Network, it's about the only place they could...

go with an offer...

[Arkana]

16. The Presidential debates, brought to you by Mentos: The Freshmaker!