Supreme Court Reverses Limits on Campaign Spending (cripples McCain-Feingold-Thompson)

WSJ ^ | 1/21/10 | staff

[pissant]

WASHINGTON—A divided Supreme Court struck down limits on corporate political spending, overturning two precedents in a ruling likely to affect campaigning in the 2010 elections.

President Barack Obama called the decision a victory for big oil, Wall street and other interests, and said he would work with lawmakers to craft a "forceful response."

The ruling underscored the impact of former President George W. Bush's two appointments to the court. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito joined the five-justice majority in ruling that a central provision of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance act violated the First Amendment by restricting corporations from funding political messages in the run-up to elections.

[LdSentinal]

Still doesn't excuse the fact that GWB violated his oath to uphold the constitution by signing this POS into law.

You do realize that there were enough votes in Congress to overturn his veto on this legislation?

[sickoflibs]

“Mr. Obama, in a statement Thursday, said: “The Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics. This ruling gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington, while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates.”

Of course more GOVERNMENT POWER is good!

[Taxbilly]

We of the NRA thank you!

[MuttTheHoople]

President Barack Obama called the decision a victory for big oil, Wall street and other interests, and said he would work with lawmakers to craft a "forceful response."

Good. Big Oil put me through college. Wall Street has helped me during my unemployment time with my investments. Let Stuttering Barry the Mulatto Queen go off on business.

The ruling underscored the impact of former President George W. Bush's two appointments to the court. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito joined the five-justice majority in ruling that a central provision of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance act violated the First Amendment by restricting corporations from funding political messages in the run-up to elections.

For all the things G.H.W. Bush and Dubya did wrong during their tenures, these may be the the second best acts these guys did (after watching over the liberation of Eastern Europe without a huge bloodbath, and the liberation of Iraq and AFghanistan and the routing of al-Queda).

[jellybean]

The correct title for this article is Supreme Court Reverses Limits on Campaign Spending.

FR protocol requires using the correct title to avoid duplication.

[Still Thinking]

Your two statements contradict one another. If this one had gone to the liberals, we'd be stuck with it for all time, but since it went to the conservatives it can be reversed at any time.

Nevertheless I agree with your basic point, that Bush had no excuse signing something he admitted was unconstitutional. Hell, he had no business signing half the stuff he did. And this one, despite the fact that wonder of wonders, SCOTUS did the right thing for once, still did a lot of damage while it was in force.

Oh, and I publicly and freely admit I was wrong: The Supreme Court CAN find their ass with both hands and a flashlight.

[freekitty]

It’s about time.

[pissant]

Do you know if your guy Fred was called upon to argue in favor of it again?

[o_zarkman44]

Exactly what will the ProgRats in congress propose that won’t be equally restrictive of 1st Amendment rights?

Chuckie Schumer is a commie, so we know where he stands.

[Manly Warrior]

Yep, one failed, unconstitutional law deserves another, I guess.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

This ruling gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington, while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates.

Big lobbyists should have power only when they are leftists pushing "good" policies like Cap and Trade. The first amendment be damned.

[jellybean]

Last time I checked Fred wasn’t in the Senate nor is he practicing law. He’s doing his talk show.

Perhaps you could let go of you Fred hate for a few minutes and just celebrate that the Supreme Court made the right decision this time.

[o_zarkman44]

I’m sure Obama wouldn’t want his Soros backed front groups and unions to lose their advantage with their soft money, by allowing the business minds of America equal voices in matters that affect their business.

[pissant]

I don’t hate Fred. Never have. I just hate McCain-Feingold-Thompson. And yes, I’m celebrating tonight with a frosty pint (or three) of IPA.

[thingumbob]

How did the worlds smartest Latino woman vote?

That is okay to violate the free speak rights of "Certain" people (read = especially if they don't agree with her).

[Redleg Duke]

Leveling the playing field against Big Union.

[spinestein]

I’ve been waiting for this day ever since this McCain-Feingold abomination became law.

Hallay-effing-lu-ya!!!

(This has been a great week).

[Robbin]

“Perhaps you could let go of you Fred hate for a few minutes and just celebrate that the Supreme Court made the right decision this time.”

You’re kidding right? Pissant HATES everybody whose name isn’t hunter. He’s just getting warmed up on Palin. Pissant’s goal in life is to insure that either his ticket wins or the dems win... Fred would have been a great president and we wouldn’t be in the sorry state we are now if he was the president. Scary part is, Hunter isn’t even going to run this time and Pissant is STILL attacking everybody else.

[thingumbob]

Good luck getting that through the Senate without a filabuster!!!!!!!

[Oldpuppymax]

Signing the McCain-Finegold travesty in the FIRST place was yet another proof of Bushs’ stupidity. His father puts Souter on the friggin’ court and Bush extols the virtues of unconstitutional legislation. Shrewd family, that.