Statement by the President: "... I will sign (CFR) into law."

Office of the Press Secretary ^ | March 20, 2002 | George W. Bush

[erk]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 20, 2002

Statement by the President

Like many Republicans and Democrats in the Congress, I support common-sense reforms to end abuses in our campaign finance system.  The reforms passed today, while flawed in some areas, still improve the current system overall, and I will sign them into law.

The legislation makes some important progress on the timeliness of disclosure, individual contribution limits, and banning soft money from corporations and labor unions, but it does present some legitimate constitutional questions.  I continue to believe the best reform is full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions.

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Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020320-21.html

[Issaquahking]

>537 votes. Then all the 3rd party voters would have given us Al Gore. Not much of a choice, some of the things he's doing, but was less of the two evils.....let's see where all this goes before signing into law; perhaps he is reading the avalange of email this weekend will offer him a clue. While I make no excuse for this legislation, nor do I understand why he did this, "w" is still better than the alternative on a big picture. It sure makes him hard to defend this day though.

[davidosborne]

Jwalsh07,

I agree with your responses

TOWARDS FREEDOM !!

David

[rwfromkansas]

You need to get some principles, kneepad.

[jwalsh07]

Thanks.

[davidosborne]

"w" is still better than the alternative on a big picture. It sure makes him hard to defend this day though.

AGREED !!!

[sinkspur]

I can't believe he is going to sign this, I am so pissed off, I'd like to take him behind the barn and beat some sense into him.

You're overreacting. You really are. By the time this takes effect in 2004 it will have been a)overturned due to its unconstitutionality or b) The ways around it outlined in USA TODAY yesterday will have taken effect.

Either way, the GOP wins.

The hyperventilation over CFR has been Limbaugh-driven and ACU-driven. This CFR is weaker than the 1970 "reforms" and the GOP figured out a way around those in four years.

Money finds a way, and the GOP has ALWAYS had more money!

[CedarDave]

...I don't want to jump on the Bush-basher wagon, I keep hoping he will pull yet one more rabbit out of his hat. However, I am doubtful.

I keep hoping, like Charlie Brown, that Lucy will hold the football. I am continually disappointed. Maybe I'll change my screen name to CynicalDave (only half kidding).

[cactmh]

P.B. wouldn't be doing anything because he had about as much a chance as Ralph Nader...

[NittanyLion]

Sinkspur has apparently placed principles and Constitution beneath party. Sinkspur, I strongly urge you to consider that some things are wrong, even if you perceive a benefit from them.

[davidosborne]

Passing and signing unconstitutional law is not illegal. A politician can not go to jail for it. It's that seperation of powers thing -- ya know the Constitution.

I am not a lawyer, but violating your OATH to SUPPORT and DEFEND the constitution IS a crime worthy of impeachment... REMOVAL from office... not jail...

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

You know, it wouldn't surprise me if Bush's 2004 Democratic opponent used CFR as an issue against Bush (even though it was primarily a Democratic bill). They know how to work both sides of an issue when it suits them. But then, most politicians do.

[ladyinred]

To: erk Well, it's time for me to move to New Zealand. Because CHICKEN$HIT, GUTLESS, HALFA$$ pseudo-conservative voters will go totally overboard about this and W will be out of office in '04, leaving us ripe for Evil Party domination. Why even give a damn anymore?

May I go with you? Hillary Clinton just got a free pass didn't she?

[sinkspur]

You need to get some principles, kneepad.

You're a kid. What the hell, at 18, do you know about "kneepads"? Your momma ought to spank your hiney.

[FastCoyote]

One of the usual conservative "Bushies" took umbrage when I said Republicans and conservatives were just Democrats in drag. Apparently a lot of you don't understand that being a conservative is meaningless unless you are first and foremost a Constitutionalist. Even the libertarians understand how bad CFR is. But pragmatic conservatives willing to play a part of the trading game between the left and right, are just part of a giant ratchet screwing us into socialist totalitarianism. Hope all the Bushies are satisfied now, there's more to come.

[davidosborne]

The hyperventilation over CFR has been Limbaugh-driven and ACU-driven.

MANY freepers were opposed to CFR LONG... BEFORE Limbaugh and ACU

It's about PRINCIPLES don't you get it?

Respectfully,

David

[B. A. Conservative]

Secession for me! I am no longer an American; it is not me that has changed.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I am not a lawyer, but violating your OATH to SUPPORT and DEFEND the constitution IS a crime worthy of impeachment... REMOVAL from office... not jail...

Wouldn't that impeach the 60 senators and the (however many) Reps in the House who signed it? I can't see them voting to impeach Bush on something that they sent him in the first place. Or, even more laughably, voting to impeach themselves, one by one, until only the 'nay' voters are left in both houses of Congress. Hmm, maybe that's a good thing.

[rwfromkansas]

What I have learned at FR. I guess this site is not a good influence on me or something.

[lawdog]

BillyBob you have the most intelligent suggestion on the way this should have been handled. Unfortunately, "Carl" what-his name dosen't have a clue!

[sinkspur]

Sinkspur has apparently placed principles and Constitution beneath party.

And you don't know what you're talking about.