FEC Delays Ruling on 'PoliBlog' Speech (CFR alert)

Newsmax ^ | March 16, 2006 | Newsmax

[Stellar Dendrite]

The Federal Election Commission has postponed a long-anticipated decision on whether to apply the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law to political speech on the Internet.

It appeared that FEC Commissioner Michael Toner wanted to give Congress a chance to pass the Online Freedom of Speech Act proposed by Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.

But late Wednesday afternoon, the House Rules Committee passed on the opportunity by failing to report Hensarling’s bill out of committee for debate on the House floor.

Key House aides told NewsMax that the House would likely resume discussion after March 27. If so, legislators might have to enact Hensarling’s bill to counteract the FEC if it decides to apply McCain-Feingold. That decision is now slated for March 23.

Supporters say Hensarling’s bill merely codifies the status quo, allowing politically opinionated bloggers - known in the blogosphere as "polibloggers" - to opine on political topics without being subjected to government regulation.

Bloggers from all sides of the political spectrum have thrown their cyber-weight behind the proposal. They are concerned that the FEC will rule that they are subject to campaign-finance laws. And experts say they have reason to be concerned.

McCain-Feingold makes it a felony for corporations, nonprofit advocacy groups and labor unions to run ads that criticize – or even name – members of Congress within 60 days of a federal election if such speech might have an influence on voters.

The FEC initially excluded the Internet from McCain-Feingold restrictions. But campaign-reform boosters sued, claiming the Internet was a "loophole” that allowed big money to continue influencing the election process.

Toner has openly supported the Online Freedom of Speech Act (HR 1606). His announcement of the postponement led to an outcry from some bloggers.

"It couldn’t be more clear: pass HR 1606 or face regulations on the Internet. Period,” wrote Mike Krempasky, a founder of Red State, a conservative blog.

Traditional media organizations have taken a different view. An editorial in the New York Times on Wednesday called for closing the "Internet campaign loophole.”

[lesser_satan]

Let the nazi bastards pass there sh!tty little fascist law. I dare them to try and enforce it.

[calex59]

Every time I see this my blood boils. Evertyone involved in passing this blatantly unconstitutional monstrousity should be horse whipped and tarred&feathered.

Including W and the supremes who were sitting at the time. Bush failed to veto it, when he certainly should have, and the supremes upheld this blatant attack on free speech. What a blow to freedom and the constitution this was!

[mewzilla]

...without being subjected to government regulation.

I have three words: Make our day.

[NCSteve]

Where do you suppose the people who support McCain for President are? I don't guess we'll be hearing from them on this thread.

[Stellar Dendrite]

LOL

[Elyse]

I'm not understanding this whole thing. Are they saying that a blog is an ad? Are they saying that a message board is an ad? It doesn't make sense to me.

[elkfersupper]

These folk are going to keep drilling down to the absolute basis for the existence of this country until they start an honest-to-God shooting war.

I'm convinced of it.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

"After all I've done to you people!!!" -John McCain

There, I fixed your tagline.

[tcrlaf]

*** closing the "Internet campaign loophole.”****

Translation-
"WE would NEVER have told the folks the TRUTH about Dan Rather's Memo!!"

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Umm, this is a law to prevent political content on the 'net from being regulated. The "nazi bastards" kept it from getting out of committee.

[eazdzit]

You stated: "[McCain-Feingold makes it a felony for corporations, nonprofit advocacy groups and labor unions to run ads that criticize – or even name – members of Congress within 60 days of a federal election if such speech might have an influence on voters.] "

CFR NWO 3rd WAY Bilderberger PUBOCRATS in your face with their power.

But God forbid that we make it a felony to be in the country illegally.

When the Senate comes back we must hammer them hard on NO AMNESTY

:)Easy Does It:)

[eazdzit]

You posted: "Where do you suppose the people who support McCain for President are? I don't guess we'll be hearing from them on this thread. "

Hey, if he gets the nomination, its the same people who support Bush. They are NWO Open Border Globalist lackeys.

:)Easy Does It:)

[eazdzit]

Official Title: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to exclude communications over the Internet from the definition of public communication. Status: Failed House (82% of Republicans supporting, 76% of Democrats opposing.) By failing to be passed in the House, this bill or resolution is now dead. Introduced: Apr 13, 2005 Last Action: Mar 13, 2006: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 211. Sponsor: Rep. Jeb Hensarling [R-TX]

Cosponsors Rep. Rob Bishop [R-UT] Rep. Frederick Boucher [D-VA] Rep. Christopher Cannon [R-UT] Rep. John Conyers [D-MI] Rep. Jeff Flake [R-AZ] Rep. Mark Kennedy [R-MN] Rep. Marilyn Musgrave [R-CO] Rep. Ronald Paul [R-TX] Rep. Timothy Ryan [D-OH]

Let's make sure these guys get re-elected

:)Easy Does It:)