Posted on 04/25/2012 3:46:18 PM PDT by Fractal Trader
Last night, President Obama appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s unwatchable show to “slow-jam the news.” By this, Fallon meant that Obama would read a campaign speech about student loans, Fallon would utter a few lines to back him up every so often, and his lead band singer would warble in support of Obama’s propaganda.
Only one problem, aside from the fact that this was possibly the worst “comedy” segment in the history of mankind: it violated campaign finance law.
The equal time rule states that if a licensee permits a person “who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station.”
There are exceptions to the rule: appearances on (1) a bona fide newscast, (2) a bona fide news interview, (3) a bona fide news documentary, or (4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events.
Only the second provision could be construed as saving NBC from giving Mitt Romney equal time. But this was not a bona fide news interview. In fact, it wasn’t an interview at all – no questions were asked, no answers were given. It was literally Obama reading a campaign speech over a guitar, a horn, a keyboard, and some drums.
Not only was this appearance in violation of equal time law, it was clearly an in-kind contribution by NBC to the Obama campaign. As the Federal Elections Commission states, “A donation of services is … considered an in-kind contribution.” Under applicable law, contribution of broadcast time is considered such a service. This was a campaign commercial for Obama, and the Obama campaign was not charged for it.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
It depends on what the meaning of “is” is.
Well, there's your loophole.
The King makes laws, he doesn’t obey them!
Who the hell ever heard of this guy? Doubt if anyone saw it, because no one would intentionally put this turd on, so it's no big thing. (OK, maybe a dozen or two junkies or drunks had it on, but the only reason they did was because they passed out earlier and the station was still on.) Old folks like me remember when the last shows worth watching were over, a 'test pattern' was put on the screen until the next morning.
You misspelled Justice Department; now it’s spelled “Just Us Department”
I’m sure Fallon will treat all candidates with the same respect and kid gloves...
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/04/25/Flashback-Fallon-Lying-Ass-Bitch
This "slow jam" bit wasn't very funny when Fallon did it with Brian Williams.
What made them think a different blowhard would make it funnier?
I'm not sure that it's more a violation of the laws than a smarmy, obsequious interview would be, though, but we'll see what happens.
(I haven't watched the show since they insulted Michelle Bachman and tweeted throwaway insincere apologies just to keep their jobs).
I’m not sure what is required, he’s definitely on the primary ballot here in Indiana
http://www.floydcounty.in.gov/PDF/SampleBallot2012-democrat.pdf
Yep ... but this will be the only place we hear about it. All other media outlets and politicians will ignore the matter.
(http://www.westernjournalism.com/wikileaks-obama-team-stole-election-bribed-jesse-jackson-and-took-russian-money-in-2008/?utm_source=Western+Journalism&utm_campaign=221710e292-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email)
No, they played a Jimi Hendrixy impression of a few bars of Hail to the Chief.
I think this is easily addressed by having Romney on the show. I’m sure they realize that and would be happy to have him on. Should he go on? I don’t know, but he’s been on a couple of these type shows already, hasn’t he? And hasn’t Obama been on too?
I get that it wasn’t an interview, so they’d have to have Romney come on a do some bit with Fallon.
To me this is not a big deal and, although someone at hot air liked it, the consensus seems to be that it was pretty lame.
The Washington compost blog is reporting that 2 million people watched this illegal act.
LLS
Saving??? Why, NBC would be positively giddy to have Romney do an equal-time segment. Can you imagine how bad he would suck?
“I’m sure the Justice department, under Eric Holder, will uphold our campaign laws, and guarantee us the station will give Mitt Romney fair and equal time as well.”
Good luck with that.........
“I’m sure the Justice department, under Eric Holder, will uphold our campaign laws, and guarantee us the station will give Mitt Romney fair and equal time as well.”
Good luck with that.........
If I was Romney, I would advise against it.
Obama is a juvenile.
Romney has to have the “gravitas” and pass on this. He is an adult.
Obama is a jerk, a juvenile albeit a dangerous jerk and acting juvenile.
The village definitely is missing Obama....
Yeah, he will get equal time but it does not say when that time will be...probably 7AM on a sunday morning.
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