Statement by the President

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.

###

Return to this article at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020320-21.html

The George W. Bush Lie

ABC News's This Week on January 23, 2000:

GEORGE F. WILL: I want to see if you agree with those who say it would be bad for the First Amendment? I know you're not a lawyer, you say that with some pride, but do you think a president, and we've got a lot of non-lawyer presidents, has a duty to make an independent judgment of what is and is not constitutional, and veto bills that, in his judgment, he thinks are unconstitutional?

GOV. BUSH: I do.

WILL: In which case, would you veto the McCain-Feingold bill, or the Shays-Meehan bill?

BUSH: That's an interesting question. I — I — yes I would.
Source

LIAR - George W. Bush

One provision says you cannot do an "issue" ad 60 (or 30) days before an election. That is restricting speech, thus is against the first amendment, and thus is unconstitutional. They are basically making it illegal to criticize the government.

I'm not thrilled with this bill, but let's be accurate. It doesn't say you can't run issue ads... it says if those ads mention the name of a candidate during the 30 or 60 days prior to an election, they must be paid for with "hard" money.

Yes indeed. Jurisdiction jurisdiction and jurisdiction.

Somehow politicians can put people in jail for "influencing", but they never do when they take bribes or mislead US IN THEIR VERY OWN SPECIAL INTEREST LIES!. THe American people are not merely losing freedom, but jurisdiction for sake of politicians' own personal vigilante lynching looting rights.

Let them read what CFR says:

If you read about the rationale in the constitutions delineating the jurisdiction limits between the Feds, the states, the people and the three branches of government, we all perfectly understand that any piece of legislation which allows a party encroach another party's jurisdiction is illegal. Start with article 1 of the constitution and later how seperation of powers and checks and balances are to be managed.

Specificaly the bill imposes ludicrous limits on individuals and businesses from contributing to one party or another in paid ads specificaly. Read it for yourself, it is common knowledge that campaign finance reform imposes limits on individual contributions on speech BUT NOT ON DIRECT BRIBERY.

Since when had the state powers to control what one does with his or her pocket money aside from blatant cases of bribery and prostitution where money is specificaly used as a contract payment for a politician or a whore to give up his or her jurisdiction while he or her was voted or exists to exert such independent jurisdiction?

This campaign finance reform is a loophole for bribery for politicians. It does not go after corruption and illegal contracts in politics and politicans, it goes after individuals who make personal campaigns of their own, not the one bribing the bastards.

READ IT FOR YOURSELF. THEY WANT TO BAN FINANCIAL INFLUENCE. WHERE IN THE HELL DOES THE CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZES "INFLUENCE" AS A DE FACTO CONTRACT INVOLVING JURISDICTION VIOLATION AND EXPLOITATION? SO WHAT NOW? BLAME WOMEN AS PROSTITUTES IF THEY WILLINGLY TAKE A RIDE IN RICH MEN'S CARS HITTING ON THEM?

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO GET A FREAGING GRIP ON REALITY!!!

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	GPO's PDF version of this bill	References to this bill in the Congressional Record	Link to the Bill Summary & Status file.	Full Display - 114,378 bytes. [Help]

H.R.380

Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2001 (Introduced in the House)

Beginning
January 31, 2001

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--REDUCTION OF SPECIAL INTEREST INFLUENCE

SEC. 101. SOFT MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTIES. `SOFT MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTIES

SEC. 102. INCREASED CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR STATE COMMITTEES OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTION LIMIT FOR INDIVIDUALS.

SEC. 103. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. TITLE II--INDEPENDENT AND COORDINATED EXPENDITURES

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 202. EXPRESS ADVOCACY DETERMINED WITHOUT REGARD TO BACKGROUND MUSIC.

SEC. 203. CIVIL PENALTY.

SEC. 204. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.

SEC. 205. INDEPENDENT VERSUS COORDINATED EXPENDITURES BY PARTY.

SEC. 206. COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES. TITLE III--DISCLOSURE

SEC. 301. PROHIBITION OF DEPOSIT OF CONTRIBUTIONS WITH INCOMPLETE CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION.

SEC. 302. AUDITS.

SEC. 303. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS OF $50 OR MORE.

SEC. 304. USE OF CANDIDATES' NAMES.

SEC. 305. PROHIBITION OF FALSE REPRESENTATION TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS.

SEC. 306. SOFT MONEY OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL PARTIES.

SEC. 307. CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING. TITLE IV--PERSONAL WEALTH OPTION

SEC. 401. VOLUNTARY PERSONAL FUNDS EXPENDITURE LIMIT. `VOLUNTARY PERSONAL FUNDS EXPENDITURE LIMIT

SEC. 402. POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEE COORDINATED EXPENDITURES. TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. CODIFICATION OF BECK DECISION.

SEC. 502. USE OF CONTRIBUTED AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. `USE OF CONTRIBUTED AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES

SEC. 503. LIMIT ON CONGRESSIONAL USE OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.

SEC. 504. PROHIBITION OF FUNDRAISING ON FEDERAL PROPERTY.

SEC. 505. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

SEC. 506. STRENGTHENING FOREIGN MONEY BAN.

SEC. 507. PROHIBITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY MINORS. `PROHIBITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY MINORS

SEC. 508. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.

SEC. 509. INITIATION OF ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDING.

SEC. 510. PROTECTING EQUAL PARTICIPATION OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS. `PROTECTING EQUAL PARTICIPATION OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS

SEC. 511. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

SEC. 512. EXPEDITED COURT REVIEW OF CERTAIN ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971.

SEC. 513. CONSPIRACY TO VIOLATE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMITS.

SEC. 514. DEPOSIT OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS IN TREASURY ACCOUNT. `TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS TO BE RETURNED TO DONORS

SEC. 515. ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

SEC. 516. ENFORCEMENT OF SPENDING LIMIT ON PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVE PUBLIC FINANCING.

SEC. 517. CLARIFICATION OF RIGHT OF NATIONALS OF THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS. TITLE VI--INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

SEC. 601. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 602. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 603. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 604. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

SEC. 605. REPORT AND RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION.

SEC. 606. EXPEDITED CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION.

SEC. 607. TERMINATION.

SEC. 608. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. TITLE VII--PROHIBITING USE OF WHITE HOUSE MEALS AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR POLITICAL FUNDRAISING

SEC. 701. PROHIBITING USE OF WHITE HOUSE MEALS AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR POLITICAL FUNDRAISING.

`Sec. 612. Prohibiting use of meals and accommodations at White House for political fundraising TITLE VIII--SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING FUNDRAISING ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
TITLE IX--PROHIBITING SOLICITATION TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO CERTAIN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

SEC. 901. PROHIBITION AGAINST ACCEPTANCE OR SOLICITATION TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO CERTAIN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

`Sec. 226. Acceptance or solicitation to obtain access to certain Federal Government property TITLE X--REIMBURSEMENT FOR USE OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY

SEC. 1001. REQUIRING NATIONAL PARTIES TO REIMBURSE AT COST FOR USE OF AIR FORCE ONE FOR POLITICAL FUNDRAISING. `REIMBURSEMENT BY POLITICAL PARTIES FOR USE OF AIR FORCE ONE FOR POLITICAL FUNDRAISING

SEC. 1002. REIMBURSEMENT FOR USE OF GOVERNMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CAMPAIGN-RELATED TRAVEL. `REIMBURSEMENT FOR USE OF GOVERNMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CAMPAIGN-RELATED TRAVEL
TITLE XI--PROHIBITING USE OF WALKING AROUND MONEY

SEC. 1101. PROHIBITING CAMPAIGNS FROM PROVIDING CURRENCY TO INDIVIDUALS FOR PURPOSES OF ENCOURAGING TURNOUT ON DATE OF ELECTION. `PROHIBITING USE OF CURRENCY TO PROMOTE ELECTION DAY TURNOUT
TITLE XII--ENHANCING ENFORCEMENT OF CAMPAIGN LAW

SEC. 1201. ENHANCING ENFORCEMENT OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW. TITLE XIII--BAN ON COORDINATED SOFT MONEY ACTIVITIES BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

SEC. 1301. BAN ON COORDINATION OF SOFT MONEY FOR ISSUE ADVOCACY BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES RECEIVING PUBLIC FINANCING. TITLE XIV--POSTING NAMES OF CERTAIN AIR FORCE ONE PASSENGERS ON INTERNET

SEC. 1401. REQUIREMENT THAT NAMES OF PASSENGERS ON AIR FORCE ONE AND AIR FORCE TWO BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INTERNET. TITLE XV--EXPULSION PROCEEDINGS FOR HOUSE MEMBERS RECEIVING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

SEC. 1501. PERMITTING CONSIDERATION OF PRIVILEGED MOTION TO EXPEL HOUSE MEMBER ACCEPTING ILLEGAL FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION. TITLE XVI--SEVERABILITY; CONSTITUTIONALITY; EFFECTIVE DATE; REGULATIONS

SEC. 1601. SEVERABILITY.

SEC. 1602. REVIEW OF CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

SEC. 1603. EFFECTIVE DATE.

SEC. 1604. REGULATIONS.

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51 posted on 3/22/02 12:40 PM Pacific by lavaroise
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I think this has been talked to death. It is so inconsequential in the big picture as to be a yawn.

If you are a one issue person, maybe it is worth wasting all this time on.

I certainly listen to Rush, but I also think for myself and just can't see what all the hysterics are about.

I really pay little attention to political lies excuse me advertisements.

FReeper ReaganGirl posted this article yesterday morning:
Bob Johnson, David Keene and other leaders send
letter to President Bush on Campaign Finance Veto!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/650776/posts

Here is the link to the letter with the signatures:
The Letter
http://saturn.he.net/~danger/freepnet/acu2bush.html

Here is the letter.............

President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20500
March 20, 2002

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the nearly one million members and supporters of the American Conservative Union, and the millions more represented by those groups who have co-signed this letter, we are writing to urge you to veto the ill-conceived and unconstitutional Campaign Finance "Reform" bill, passed by the House last month, and the U.S. Senate this afternoon.

As we have said all along, this is not about politics, but about principle.

It is a travesty that so many Members of Congress-on both sides of the aisle- seem to have either forgotten about or chose to intentionally ignore their oaths to "support and defend the Constitution" when they cast their votes on this legislation. It is, frankly, sad that such an affront to freedom has actually made it to the desk of the President of the United States.

Much of the debate over this legislation focused on which party will be helped or hurt by its various provisions, with very few commentators addressing the core questions of whether or not the sorts of restrictions on political speech envisioned by the bill's authors are either wise or Constitutional. We don't know which party will ultimately benefit or be hurt by this legislation and what's more, we don't care.

The bill making its way to your desk completely redefines political speech and outlaws or criminalizes speech that every American has always believed to be protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Looked at from our perspective, you are being asked to sign a bill that tells those who might want to criticize the actions of politicians to just shut up.

We understand fully the reasons why you have taken the position up to now that Congress could not count on a Presidential veto on this legislation and must therefore work to fashion something that is fair, effective and, yes, Constitutional. Well, Congress had its chance … and failed.

So now it's up to you!

You can pass the buck to the courts and hope that they will straighten out this mess. Or, you can veto it for what it is…. A bad bill that criminalizes political speech and deserves to be sent back from whence it came.

If there was ever a time to use the veto pen this is it. We urge you to veto this legislation.

If you can honestly say that you believe legislated restrictions on political speech is at the core of what our Founders wanted, by all means, sign the bill. But if you believe the proposed restrictions won't pass muster by a Supreme Court that actually believes in free speech, please, do everyone a favor by vetoing it.

Yours Sincerely,

David A. Keene
Chairman, American Conservative Union

(Many other signatures – click HERE to see them.)

I really pay little attention to political lies excuse me advertisements.

The problem is the "average voter" has no idea what the issues are until right before an election, which means they will get it from their local newspaper. This gives the press an enormous amount of power in it's ability to sway voters, all predicated by the newspapers political leanings.

Isn't the mere fact that the FCC regulates the media against the constitution?

Since we consider the radio spectrum to be a public resource, then I feel it is OK to regulate it in regards to the use of that spectrum. But like all things governmental, they stepped outside of the task and are in charge of too much.

I'm not thrilled with this bill, but let's be accurate.

Got to admit I was reporting my understanding. Because of this conversation I have looked up the bill and you are correct. Or, at least, it appears you are. The bill keeps refering to other pieces of the US Code which I have not looked up. It is a nightmare to figure exactly what is going on with this (and all other) bill.

One thing I always thought would be a good idea was to require a complete reading of every bill voted on. Make the bill be read in the chamber, and do not allow any other work while the reading is going on. This would make bills shorter, easier to understand, and allow for the passage of fewer of them.

The George W. Bush Lie

The price one pays for allowing oneself to be used as an establishment puppet. You have to say what makes sense to fool the electorate and then you have to suffer the ignominy of the liar, fool, sell-out when you must do what you are told.

It is not surprising that the puppets being recruited to play the fool seem to be selected from the most intellectually challenged available.

What do you think?

I think it's much ado about nothing unusual. Most everything the Feds do is unconstitutional already. I think the outrage is laughable, to say the least. We're shocked, shocked! to find that unconstitutional laws are being passed here! Feds ignore Constitution, sun rises in the east. Film at eleven.

My Dear President Bush:

On March 20th, David A. Keene, the Chairman of the American Conservative Union sent you a letter urging you to veto the Campaign Finance "Reform" bill. There were many other conservatives that signed that letter. I hope you have received it by now. If not, below is a copy of that letter, which is posted on the Internet here: http://saturn.he.net/~danger/freepnet/acu2bush.html.

I agree with the letter and also urge you to veto the Campaign Finance Reform bill. Because it restricts free speech prior to an election, it is without a doubt unconstitutional. When you took the oath of office on January 20, 2001, you swore to uphold the constitution. This bill is unconstitutional and I know you are a man of honor and a man of good character. You have shown me that in your years as governor of my state and in the time that you have been President of this great country.

Please don't disappoint me and your conservative base on this issue. Veto Campaign Finance Reform.

Sincerely,

Richard Meek

That's the letter that I e-mailed to President Bush this afternoon..............

I see what you mean- I could not find it by hunting the site, and a HotBot search returned ( unhelpfully ):

WEB RESULTS (Showing Results 1 - 6 of 16 Matches ) next »
Get the Top 10 websites for "campaign finance reform"

1.	The Heritage Foundation --- For Researchers
	Visit Publications Library for archived policy papers. Regulation More Education, Not More Regulation, Is Needed to Help Workers Protect 401(k) Investments More... Social Security Perspectives on the 3/4/2002 http://www.heritage.org/forresearchers See results from this site only.

2.	The Heritage Foundation Lecture Series -- Publications Library
	THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION 2002 LECTURE SERIES \| Library Home \| The following are lectures published by The Heritage Foundation. Links below will guide you to the full text of the document and the Portab 3/11/2002 http://www.heritage.org/library/lecture See results from this site only.

3.	Asia and the Pacific -- The Heritage Foundation Publications Library
	Asia and the Pacific Asia Subject Index China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong The Koreas and Japan Southeast Asia Australia and New Zealand Asian Security Trade and Foreign Aid in Asia Priorities for the Presi 3/14/2002 http://www.heritage.org/library/asia.html See results from this site only.

4.	Inside the Hill (03/04/02) -- The Heritage Foundation
	Welfare Reform and the Decline of Dependence by Rober Rector 3/14/2002 http://www.heritage.org/features/onthehill See results from this site only.

5.	Inside the Hill (02/25/02) -- The Heritage Foundation
	Welfare Reform and the Decline of Dependence by Rober Rector 3/2/2002 http://www.heritage.org/forlawmakers/insidethehill/ See results from this site only.

6.	The Heritage Foundation -- Multimedia Archives
	Multimedia Archives On Demand The following are taped programs from The Heritage Foundation. They are in Real Audio/Video format which requires the RealPlayer, available at http://www.real.com. 2001/2 3/3/2002 http://www.heritage.org/live/archives.html See results from this site only.

You must also include the phrase (UN-ELECTED!) to seal the statement! This vile group never went before the ELECTORATE yet makes policy that affects us all! UNCONSTITUTIONAL & UN-ELECTED Kick the bums out!

A little-known fact is that the ban on non-PAC ads can also be enforced against Web sites, possibly including Free Republic. I've read several articles about average voters being fined or put in jail for making a Web site critical of an elected official under various state laws.

What's a paleo? How are you defining this? Just curious.

http://www.heritage.org/library/backgrounder/bg1308es.html

Try this.