Statement by Gov. Marc Racicot (On legal action against ACT, Media Fund, and Moveon.org)

George W. Bush ^ | August 26, 2004

[RWR8189]

ARLINGTON, VA – Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Chairman Gov. Marc Racicot today issued the following statement:

"Federal law requires that all organizations working for the election or defeat of a federal candidate operate under the same standards and rules. On March 31, 2004, Bush-Cheney '04 and the RNC filed a complaint against the Media Fund, ACT, MoveOn.org and other organizations for failing to operate under these rules. These organizations have now spent over $85 million in advertisements and other political activity to defeat President Bush, but they have refused to abide by the fundraising and spending limits. We have asked the FEC to enforce the law and require these organizations to operate under federal election standards for fundraising and spending.

"While the FEC agreed that these organizations should operate under the law, they refused to apply this law until after the 2004 election was over. Because 120 days have passed since we asked the FEC to apply the law to these organizations, and the FEC has failed to act, we will file suit in federal court to compel the FEC to take action to regulate these organizations as the federal political committees that they are. Our goal is a level playing field - all organizations working for the election or defeat of federal candidates should operate under the same standards and rules."

[Lexinom]

they refused to apply this law until after the 2004 election was over.

[Old Sarge]

And this will work, because....?

[SF Republican]

I am with you; what IS the point of this, politically speaking

[Old Sarge]

My point was:

...does the RNC really think they can make a legal point stick to The Left? The Left OWNS the courts - and the GOP just gave another reason for them to laugh in their latte's.

[Frank_Discussion]

Here's a thought: The case either achieves enforcement of CFR, or it moves up to the Supremes to be judged unconstitutional.

[vbmoneyspender]

Racicot should leave this alone -- the whiner constituency is already voting for Kerry.

[Peach]

What I heard on television last night from a GOP official, but isn't in this letter, is that there is concern that there is a coordinated fund raising effort underway by the DNC groups connected to the 527's.

Unstated, but my concern, is that there is foreign money pouring into these groups, ala Chinese fund-raising during the Clinton-Gore years.

[AFPhys]

And you suggest, what....?

[Lucky Dog]

I am with you; what IS the point of this, politically speaking

Bush is quietly taking the wind out of Kerry's sails on telling the President to stop the Swift Boat ads. He knows that no court can act on this suit in time to make a difference.

Additionally, it enables the Bush campaign to show up what a hypocrite Kerry is in demanding that only the Swift Boat ads be dropped and not those that smeared Bush's national guard service, etc. When Kerry whines again, which he will, Bush will, once again, say "join me in stopping all of these ads." Kerry will ignore the call after which Bush will say "we are trying to do something about what you are just complaining about."

At some point this situation will presented as another Kerry "flip flop" and an extremely self-serving move, and a very hypocritical, feckless one, at that.

[Mister Baredog]

TO: Lucky Dog
FROM: Baredog

Bush is quietly taking the wind out of Kerry's sails on telling the President to stop the Swift Boat ads

I think you've nailed it, they even have McCain in on the act, ain't it great.

IMHO the Swifties have just begun to kick the s**t out of Lurch, after all, he did say "bring it on". LOL

[Lucky Dog]

...all, he did say "bring it on".

I just hope they keep "bringing more and more of it on."

[aBootes]

IMHO the Swifties have just begun to kick the s**t out of Lurch, after all, he did say "bring it on".

There is an interesting note in NRO's Corner, posted by Rich Lowry, to the effect that one Vietnam Veteran has stated that if Kerry loses, "it will be the parade we never had." I quite liked the thought.

[kaehurowing]

The media yesterday said that in response to McCain's request to do something about SwiftBoats, Bush promised to take action against 527 organizations illegally coordinating with candidates.

I assume this is the response. Good.

[GretchenM]

but they have refused to abide by the fundraising and spending

Anyone know anything about these limits?

[Loyal Buckeye]

Win the case and make the contributions taxable. That would honk off the RATs.

[Mister Baredog]

one Vietnam Veteran has stated that when if Kerry loses, "it will be the parade we never had." I quite liked the thought.

Me too, I just made a small correction. LOL

[savedbygrace]

Ben Ginsberg said that the SBVT are operating according to current law. I don't understand this legal action by B-C, if it also includes SBVT.