Posted on 03/27/2002 4:03:29 PM PST by rightwing2
Bush Signs Campaign Finance Bill; NRA Sues
NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, March 28, 2002
WASHINGTON – President Bush on Wednesday signed campaign finance legislation that restricts speech and bans unregulated donations to political parties. "I believe that this legislation, although far from perfect, will improve the current financing system for federal campaigns," Bush said in a statement. The measure immediately drew legal challenges. Within a short time of Bush's signing, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had filed suit, as had National Rifle Association. Both denounced the law's infringement on freedom of speech. The law "eviscerates the core protections of the First Amendment by prohibiting, on pain on criminal punishment, political speech," said a legal complaint filed on behalf of NRA and its political victory fund. "We are proud to be one of the first plaintiffs to formally ask the federal court to invalidate these new limits on the political speech of ordinary citizens because we believe that this law cannot be allowed to stand, not even for a moment," stated Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the gun rights group. Bush signed the bill as he traveled to Greenville, S.C., and Atlanta to talk with emergency workers and on campaign fund-raising jaunts for Reps. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Saxby Chamblis, R-Ga.
The U.S. Senate approved the legislation on March 20 on a 60-40 vote that came hours after a last-ditch attempt to filibuster the bill. It was an identical version of the measure passed in February by the U.S. House of Representatives, avoiding a conference committee that could have been used to kill the bill. The campaign finance bill was sponsored by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and John McCain, R-Ariz. Upon learning Bush signed the bill, McCain issued a statement saying, "I'm pleased that President Bush has signed campaign finance reform legislation into law."
'I May Hesitate'
While traveling through El Salvador on Sunday, Bush joked with reporters about placing his name on the bill once it arrived at the White House: "It will probably take about three seconds to get to the W, I may hesitate on the period, and then rip through the Bush." The law bans unlimited contributions, known as "soft money," to national political parties and restricts issue ads aired by interest groups before elections. Bush had called the measure "flawed" but had said he would sign it. "I wouldn't have signed it if I was really unhappy with it. I think it improves the system," Bush told reporters during a stop at Greenville firehouse. "And it improves the system because it enables an individual to give more money. And I want to do is have a system that encourages more individual participation, as well as more disclosure." Still, he said, he had been concerned about a system where money was given to entities and stakeholders had no say. He said he was concerned mostly about corporate shareholders and labor union members not having the ability to object to how their money was being spent. However, although no one is required to buy stock in any company, many workers must pay union dues to have a job.
Opponents of the bill, such as McConnell, say the new law represents an unconstitutional limit to political speech. They note that limiting political advertising by non-affiliated groups will protect incumbents, further empower the media and remove the ability of citizens to band together over common political causes. McCain said last week the scandal surrounding bankrupt Enron Corp., and revelations that the energy trader had donated money to 72 of 100 senators and had pushed electric supply and commodities deregulation though the U.S. Capitol and state houses, helped the cause. Copyright 2002 by United Press International.
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Hmmm.
Like I told you, Bush hasn't betrayed his republican and conservative supporters, nor has he taken them for granted either. While several of Bush's recent forays into political gamesmanship, have upset and confused some in his conservative base, I believe the vast majority of his supporters have had a measured response. Some, like yourself, have over reacted. I think very few conservatives were expecting Bush to initiate across the board conservative policies, with total disregard towards the loyal opposition. To think otherwise, is being naive in my book.
Ronald Reagan understood, that as President, he would never get his full conservative agenda passed through the Congress, 100% intact. This is something that President Bush also understands, but you, obviously do not understand. Compromise and negotiation are a major part of any president's game plan. This is especially true, when you consider, that at best, only 1/3rd of the American electorate, identifies themselves as politically conservative.
This charge that Bush is a liberal republican, is utterly ridiculous and without merit .
So you can exoriate those republicans and conseravtives who disagree with you, all you want, if that makes you feel better. However, the more you attack Bush and his supporters, for not agreeing with you, the more you look weak and petty.
Wow! Only a libertarian could come up with such convoluted nonsense.
Please remove me from your ping list.
I'm hoping you are right in your thoughtful input. Thanks.
Read why the majority opinion of the Supreme Court found that party expenditures were independent of the candidate, and thus not covered by legislative caps, but rather entitled to First Amendment protection
Learn more about the landmark decision that rejected portions of the Federal Election Campaign Act claiming that it violated the First Amendment.
Bush is not a liberal and repeating such a lie, doesn't make it true. So far, Bush has shown himself to be a consumate conservative politician, in the mold of Ronald Reagan.
President Bush has promoted a conservative agenda. Here's a short list of his main accomplishments in a mere 14 months.
* has provided remarkable leadership in time of war
* secured passage through Congress of a $1.35 trillion tax cut
* has proposed the largest increases in military spending since Reagan
* opposed the Kyoto protocol
* disposed of the ABM Treaty
* eliminated taxpayer funding of overseas abortions
* has openly and strongly supported Taiwan
* made no deals for release of the EP-3 plane crew from Red China
* secured initial funding for a NMDS
* has promoted increases in off shore oil drilling
* has strongly advocated drilling in ANWR
* pushed for building more nuclear power plants
* campaigned to reduce our dependency on oil imports
* repealed many last minute Clinton EO`s
* campaigned for partial privatization of Social Security
* offered faith-based alternatives to traditional welfare
* stopped funding for further destruction of human embryo's
* has nominated conservative judges to the federal bench
* returned honor, dignity and trust to the Presidency
This isn't the record of a liberal, or a moderate. It is the record of a principled and pragmatic, mainstream conservative, who understands how to get the job done. Is it a perfect record, absolutely not. What the President wants, what I want and what the majority of conservative-republicans want, is political unity, not unanimity. With a slim majority in the House and Democrat control of the Senate, its impossible to win on every issue. Sometimes compromise and negotiation is the only viable alternative, for achieveing a partial victory on certain issues.
Bottom line, in poll after poll, American's continue to give the President high marks for his leadership, his honesty and for his strong integrity and personal character. His approval ratings have been in the 80% range. These high poll numbers, are mainly attributed to his successful handling of the war effort, but on individual issues, Bush has been very successful promoting his conservative policies, so far.
You can spin all you want, but your lies and distortions are obvious to anyone paying attention.
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