CALIFORNIA: FPPC dismisses complaint against anti-Kamala Harris TV ad

SacBee: Capitol Alert ^ | 10/27/10 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

California's political watchdog agency has dismissed a complaint by Democrat Kamala Harris, candidate for attorney general, that a national Republican group is conducting an illegal $1.6 million advertising campaign against her.

Harris' complained Monday that the 30-second attack ad by the Republican State Leadership Committee was required to contain a disclaimer listing their top two donors and failed to do so.

The Fair Political Practices Commission tossed the complaint out Tuesday, ruling that the ad is exempt from the requirement because it is "issue advocacy" that does not specifically encourage a vote for or against a candidate.

The FPPC already has decided to tighten standards for issue advocacy, but not until after the Nov. 2 election.

Until then, an attack ad that criticizes a candidate's performance can qualify as issue advocacy if it does not specifically encourage a vote for or against a particular person.

The anti-Harris ad criticizes the Democrat's opposition to the death penalty and her decision not to seek capital punishment for the killer of San Francisco Police Officer Isaac Espinoza in 2004.

The 30-second TV spot, running in Los Angeles, concludes by saying, "Tell Kamala Harris - California's worst criminals deserve the toughest punishment the law allows. No excuses. No exceptions."

Though it attacks Harris, the TV ad does not specifically ask voters to vote for her GOP opponent, Steve Cooley.

[Myrddin]

I heard a pro-Harris ad. It is a bleeding heart liberal, environmentalist whacko's dream candidate. BARF! Cooley is the better candidate.

[NormsRevenge]

The anti-Harris ad criticizes the Democrat’s opposition to the death penalty and her decision not to seek capital punishment for the killer of San Francisco Police Officer Isaac Espinoza in 2004.

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B*tch! Rot in Hell, Kamala... along with those who gunned down cops and innocents under your reign and got away with it with life in prison.

and she says she would support the law of the state re: capital punishment if elected AG, Yeah right.

[calcowgirl]

ditto

:-)