"Bush signs campaign finance law" (An oldie but goodie for you BushBots! Have a nice day!)

various wire reports, via Japan today ^ | March 28, 2002 | AP via Japan Today

[churchillbuff]

JAPAN TODAY March 28, 2002 ATLANTA — U.S. President George Bush quietly signed what he called a flawed law to reform political fund-raising on Wednesday and then set off on a blitz to raise some $3.5 million for fellow Republicans.

Bush praised the law's ban on the unlimited contributions known as "soft money" to national political parties but he questioned its limits on outside political advertising and its failure to protect union members and company shareholders from having their money spent on politics without their consent.

In a sign of his misgivings about the bill, the broadest overhaul of U.S. campaign finance laws in a quarter century, Bush chose to sign it into law privately in the Oval Office without the fanfare the White House typically arranges for such events.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and ardent foe of the measure, filed suit moments after the president signed the largely Democratic-basked legislation, arguing that it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

The president said he saw no irony in signing the bill into law and then collecting political cash for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in South Carolina, Georgia and Texas in an aggressive two-day fund-raising swing through the South.

"I'm not going to lay down my arms," Bush said, saying he would abide by the rules of the new law, which does not go into effect until the day after the Nov 5 election in which he hopes to wrest control of the Senate from the Democrats.

"These Senate races are very important for me. I want the Republicans to take control of the Senate," he told reporters in Greenville, South Carolina. "These are the rules and that's why I am going to campaign for like-minded people."

Bush aims to erase the Democrats' one-seat edge in the Senate, which has stymied much of his domestic agenda.

"I want Lindsey Graham elected," Bush told donors at a Greenville, South Carolina, event expected to bring in about $1 million for the congressman running for retiring Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond's U.S. Senate seat from South Carolina, and for other Republicans. "Frankly it's in my interest that he get elected because I've got a lot I want to do."

Later, Bush hoped to raise $1.5 million for Republicans including Rep. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, campaigning to face Democratic Sen. Max Cleland, and more than $1 million on Thursday for Texas Attorney General John Cornyn's bid for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Phil Gramm.

In a time-honored tradition, the White House scheduled official events at each stop — in this case arranging for the president to meet firemen and police who cope with catastrophes like the Sept 11 attacks — thereby making the federal government pay for the bulk of his travel costs rather than the candidates.

The campaign finance law, passed after a seven-year struggle in Congress, bans unlimited "soft money" to national political parties, which have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in such cash in recent years.

In addition, the law sharply limits such contributions to state and local political parties, restricts broadcast ads by outside groups shortly before elections and doubles to $2,000 the amount of highly regulated "hard money" contributions to individual congressional and presidential candidates.

In a written statement, Bush praised some of the law's provisions, including the "soft money" limits, the increased individual contribution limit and new disclosure requirements saying they would "go a long way toward fixing some of the most pressing problems in campaign finance today."

But Bush said he would have preferred a bill that included paycheck protection — a provision to protect union members and company shareholders from "involuntary political activities" undertaken by their leadership.

"The bill does have flaws," the president said, adding that he expected the courts to resolve "legitimate legal questions" about the constitutionality of its broad ban on issue advertising.

Both parties remain unsure who would benefit politically in the new world of campaign finance, but supporters contend that the law will help curb big donors from effectively buying access to the halls of power where they can sway lawmakers.

Campaign finance reform gained momentum earlier this year with the collapse of energy giant Enron Corp, which critics say lavished contributions on both Republicans and Democrats to gain access to Capitol Hill and influence policy.

The law's most ardent congressional proponent was Sen. John McCain, the maverick Arizona Republican who made the issue a centerpiece of his losing run against Bush for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2000 election. They other key advocate in the Senate was Sen. Russell Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat. (Compiled from wire reports)

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[churchillbuff]

I'm sorry to be getting under the skin, again, of the "Bush walks on water" freepers, but it's important to remember whose cowardice gave us campaign finance "reform". Have a nice day!

[Bella]

I'm afraid that I might have to agree w/ you on this.

[Pubbie]

"An oldie but goodie for you BushBots!"

Yeah Bush screwed up - But what the hell are we going to do, vote for Dean???

[Paul Atreides]

Or, vote for some Johnny Nobody, which is, in essence, the same difference as voting for Dean......or, Hillary.

[StoneColdGOP]

I'm sorry to be getting under the skin, again, of the "Bush walks on water" freepers, but it's important to remember whose cowardice gave us campaign finance "reform". Have a nice day!

Damn right.

[Dr. Frank fan]

the "Bush walks on water" freepers,

Who are they?

If there are freepers who have said that Bush is perfect, I haven't seen them.

For the record I freely concede that Bush is not perfect, has made mistakes, is human, etc. In particular I disagreed with his signing that CFR bill, as I disagreed with a few other things he's done, as I disagreed with some things every single President and in fact every single politician has done.

(What do people think they accomplish by making this point?)

[Mark]

Yes! I mean besides clearing out AlQuida and removing Sadam in a rapid manner and bringing honor back to the White House and honor to our military,tax cuts, what else has he done?!! (good protest sign?)

[StoneColdGOP]

Or vote for someone else.

What are you more afraid of? Voting your conscious, "wasting" your vote, or going with the old "lesser of two evils" idea?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

The rep party shifted to the center, and the Dems shifted to 'progressivism'.

In other words, there are two new parties: The Socialist Democrats and the Liberal Republicans.

The con game is over now. This is the reality.

The only solution is to not vote for the bastards that sold us out. A round of Hil or Dean and more socialists in Congress are the only answer for reversing this new reality within the next 10 years. I am sick of fighting. If we want socialism, let's try it in earnest for a few years, and let the voters decide in 2008 if they want to keep it or elect conservatives.

[churchillbuff]

Yeah Bush screwed up

Sorry, but I really do view Bush as a political coward. It's easy to stand up to a bad guy from central casting like Saddam. Harder to stand up to the liberal media and the PC crowd on campaign finance, medicare extension, big spending, etc. I don't see Bush standing up to liberals at home - - and conservatives give him a pass as long as he's making war abroad. Kinda like Nixon - conservatives wouldn't criticize his left-wing policies because he was fighting a war.

[Pubbie]

Reagan wasn't perfect either - even he passed some dumb laws - but hey let's show the GOP and vote for Buchanan - That will show em (sarcasm/)

[45Auto]

...supporters contend that the law will help curb big donors from effectively buying access to the halls of power where they can sway lawmakers.

More BS shoveled by the masters of BS. These morons are now going to get what they deserve; a whole series of unintended consequences, but the flow of money to the criminal element known as Congress will not be abated by this travesty of justice. This law essentially says that its not the members of Congress who are corrupt, but the guys who peddle the money to them.

"The addict is not responsible for his addiction, its all those dope peddlers who are at fault."

[mdefranc]

"Yeah Bush screwed up - But what the hell are we going to do, vote for Dean???"

No, if you like free speech and dislike federal spending, vote Libertarian.

[Paul Atreides]

You may want to suffer under socialism for a few years, but I don't. I'm not cutting off the entire foot, just because I have a stubbed toe.

[byteback]

"remember whose cowardice gave us campaign finance "reform

Yup should have backed McCain. He NEVER would have supported something like this!

[churchillbuff]

the "Bush walks on water" freepers, Who are they?

Look in the mirror, and at the other posters who will flame me.

[lodwick]

bttt

[Servant of the 9]

Bush, like almost everyone else, was sure the Supremes would throw most of this out.
He thought it was a harmless 'feel good' bill, like pardoning the Whitehouse Turkey at Thanksgiving.
He was wrong.
I was wrong.
The ACLU was wrong.
The Media was wrong.

I guess that means W is neither the Second Coming nor the Antichrist, but only a man.

Everyone will have found ways to circumvent this crap by spring.
It is an affront to our rights, but meaningless in effect.

So9

[Lazamataz]

Yeah Bush screwed up - But what the hell are we going to do, vote for Dean???

I will not be voting the Presidential line this coming election.

Bush might as well sign the Assault Weapons ban. He cannot lose my vote twice.

This decision is permanent and irrevokable.

[Pubbie]

"Or vote for someone else."

ie Vote for Buchanan and help Dean win the election - sorry but Bush isn't that bad.

[NittanyLion]

I'll tell you one thing I'd like to see accomplished. When CFR was passed, many people told me this was a brilliant political play. The detrimental portions would be struck down, and all that would remain are parts beneficial to the GOP. Within the last week, folks are telling me that the latest Prescription Drug Plan will surely bring privatization to Medicare.

Both claims are against all historical precedent. If nothing else, I'd be happy if conservatives understand that an endorsement of liberal policy is generally just that, as opposed to "strategery".

[truthandlife]

Make sure to tell him how you feel. These emails are tallied more than anything over at the White House. This is what happens when you listen to a political consultant (Karl Rove) instead of your gut.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/webmail

[bvw]

You must have taken the Howard Ickes "Parse This Now" course. Sure seem like a full graduate.

[sinkspur]

What do people think they accomplish by making this point?)

It's churchillbuff; he's one of the premier "baiters" on this website.

In fact, he's a master baiter.

[Dr. Frank fan]

[the "Bush walks on water" freepers, Who are they?] Look in the mirror

But I'm not a "Bush walks on water freeper". Again: I agreed that Bush is not perfect, human, etc. Did you read my post?

and at the other posters who will flame me.

I didn't flame you. You'd know if I had.

As for other posters who may end up flaming you, I don't agree that if someone flames you, it proves they think that Bush walks on water.

Flaming a person for inventing and attacking a ridiculous straw-man (the concept of "Bush walks on water freepers") is not the same thing as thinking GW Bush walks on water.

[churchillbuff]

This is what happens when you listen to a political consultant (Karl Rove) instead of your gut.

Or maybe when you're a liberal at heart, or don't have any conservative instincts to speak of.

[Pubbie]

4 million Evangelical "Conservatives" stayed home in the 2000 election and nearly helped elect President Gore - but that would have been much better than Bush because Gore didn't support CFR like Bush did - Oh Wait -....

[ladyinred]

(What do people think they accomplish by making this point?)

I have wondered that myself. It is amazing how many of them there are here too. I assume they are mostly those who are for 3rd parties. They expect a President who does every single thing exactly how they want it. Just amazing to me. The bad thing is, what damage they can do , and we could end up with a Hillary or a Dean in charge, and then what?

[CyberCowboy777]

Even Churchill was a liberal once.

Worked on some stupid legislation - but I would not have traded him for Chamberlain during WWII.

[uncbob]

I don't think you will be seeing
JONH HUANG2
on this thread re-explaining how it was a masterful political stoke by Bush

[Digger]

It's a good thing that the U of Nebraska didn't hire GW. Their football coach goes 9-3 (.750) & gets fired. This guy goes 5-7 & is praised by the sheeple. Better tell that coach to get a cushie profession & run for pres. (BTW, the athletic director stated that it wasn't wins & losses but the direction that the program was going in. Are you truly satisfied with the direction GW is taking us? Now be truthful).

[Dr. Frank fan]

If nothing else, I'd be happy if conservatives understand that an endorsement of liberal policy is generally just that, as opposed to "strategery".

I think that most conservatives do understand that.

Granted, many Republicans may not.

[churchillbuff]

I agreed that Bush is not perfect, human

He's a coward --- that makes him human, you're right, but it doesn't make him a conservative leader. (And don't tell me how he's fighting Saddam - - - it doesn't take any courage to fight against somebody who everyone hates)

[ex-snook]

"What are you more afraid of? Voting your conscious, "wasting" your vote, or going with the old "lesser of two evils" idea? "

If jobs don't increase, troop deaths continue in Iraq and the alert flag is still raised, maybe people will jump to Dean (or?) as the lesser of two evils. Since choosing the lesser is the only game in town.

[Dr. Frank fan]

You must have taken the Howard Ickes "Parse This Now" course. Sure seem like a full graduate.

I'd ask you just who the heck you think "Howard Ickes" is if this post actually contained enough substance to be worth discussing further.

[uncbob]

Reagan wasn't perfect either - even he passed some dumb laws -

Yeah he did like naming O'Connor to the SCOTUS for PC reasons and in establishing MLK as a holiday for the same reason BUT overall he was a hell of a lot more conservative than either Bush

[churchillbuff]

Worked on some stupid legislation - but I would not have traded him for Chamberlain during WWII.

You've proved my point. Because Bush is fighting Saddam (as if that takes courage - - as if there's more than 1000 people in America who don't hate Saddam) you'll give him a pass as he grows the size of government, and our children's tax burden, more than Clinton did - - and signs a law making it a crime to advertise against incumbent candidates. By the way, Saddam would love that law!

[uncbob]

Bush, like almost everyone else, was sure the Supremes would throw most of this out. He thought it was a harmless 'feel good' bill, like pardoning the Whitehouse Turkey at Thanksgiving. He was wrong. I was wrong. The ACLU was wrong. The Media was wrong.

And there were a hell of a lot of posters here who got insulted by other members for warning about this fiasco

[Paul Atreides]

(And don't tell me how he's fighting Saddam - - - it doesn't take any courage to fight against somebody who everyone hates)

Apparently, it does. Do you think a President Gore would have done it? What about Bubba, or Jimmy Carter?

[Digger]

I am sick of fighting. If we want socialism, let's try it in earnest for a few years, and let the voters decide in 2008 if they want to keep it or elect conservatives.

RIGHT ON!!! I'm tired of this death by a million cuts. Let get it on.

[uncbob]

Bush might as well sign the Assault Weapons ban

Yeah he will KEEP that campaign promise

[churchillbuff]

He thought it was a harmless 'feel good' bill, like pardoning the Whitehouse Turkey at Thanksgiving.

NO, HE DUCKED HIS RESPONSIBILITY AS PRESIDENT TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. IF HE DOESN'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THAT, WHY DOESN'T HE QUIT AND GO BACK TO TEXAS (OR CONNECTICUT OR MAINE, WHEREVER)

[L.N. Smithee]

No, if you like free speech and dislike federal spending, vote Libertarian.

...and get social Darwinism free!

[At _War_With_Liberals]

I'm not cutting off the entire foot, just because I have a stubbed toe.


This thinking is weak. I am not into 3rd parties, and have only come to my conclusion after 7 months of watching the situation...

The only solution will happen naturally. When things swing to progressivism, it will fail, there will be a backlash, and conservatism will come back.

That is the only answer. I'm so convinced it will fail, I'll take my chances. This incrementalism is conditioning Republicans, and no one is noticing except politicians. We must stop this trend NOW, before it is too late.

With the current philosophy, we're doomed to socialism, period. We are losing big time. It's the only choice.

I want to ROLL back all socialism aggressively... and it will never happen by supporting Reps now.

[Digger]

you'll give him a pass as he grows the size of government

So the doctor does your by-pass & you owe him your life?

[William McKinley]

I said it then, and I will say it again now. Signing it was a monumental mistake. He deserves the backlash he's getting right now.

Overall he's done a great job, but that was a very bad mistake.

[churchillbuff]

Do you think a President Gore would have done (fought Saddam)? What about Bubba, or Jimmy Carter?

I don't know and you don't know - - - although Clinton sent troops a lot of places. What we DO know is that they would have signed the tyrannical campaign finance bill, with its ban on ads against incumbent officeholders - - - A LAW THAT SOUNDS LIKE SADDAM WROTE IT!! Bush acted just like Clinton, Bubba or Jimmy -- and signed this monstrosity. I guess if a guy has an R after his name - - and will drop bombs on Bagdad - - you're fine with him taking away your freedom.

[uncbob]

Apparently, it does. Do you think a President Gore would have done it? What about Bubba, or Jimmy Carter?

With the polls showing a big majority in favor of it you better believe Clinton would have and basked in the glory

[Digger]

Take a look at where his father took this country? And now they are talking about Jeb. Holy $hit!

[CyberCowboy777]

You dismiss the bad of Churchill for the good?

The war on terror is a valid war that I doubt any democrat would properly execute.

Bush has screwed up - Education spending, AWB, CFR and Medicare.

Bush gave me tax cuts.

Banned Partial Birth Abortion.

Signed the Forest Initiative (big deal out here in the West).

Pulled funding for Abortions overseas.

Executed the War in Iraq which will have one very important effect - neutering OPAC.

Negotiating with Russia on Oil imports.

Affirmed the personal right to own a gun.

Opening up Oil production in Alaska.

None of these would have happened with a Democrat in the Office.