Elections commission may subpoena McBride over ads

Republican Party of Florida email ^ | 26 Sep 2002 | David Royse (AP)

[PhiKapMom]

Elections commission may subpoena McBride over ads

DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ A citizen panel that investigates election complaints may subpoena Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride's campaign seeking information about pro-McBride ads paid for by a teachers union.

Florida Election Commission chairwoman Susan MacManus said she could not comment about any of the panel's cases, and the commission's lawyer also couldn't confirm that the campaign would be subpoenaed.

McBride campaign officials said they expected to receive subpoenas possibly late Thursday.

``We've heard it's coming,'' McBride spokesman Alan Stonecipher said.

The ads in question are no longer on the air. But analysts say they likely helped propel McBride to victory over Janet Reno in the Democratic primary. He's running against Republican Gov. Jeb Bush.

The elections commission is looking into whether ads paid for by the Florida Education Association illegally promoted his candidacy.

The state Republican Party filed the complaint arguing the ads were essentially contributions to McBride that cost far more than the $500 contribution limit to candidates.

Independent groups can run ``issue'' ads that don't tell voters to choose a particular candidate, but Republicans argue that the ads clearly touted McBride.

Union officials and McBride already have been sent questions by the commission, mostly asking for information on what the McBride campaign's roll, if any, was in producing the ads. Stonecipher said the nine-member elections commission, which has at least three members with close Republican ties, is pursuing a pro-Bush agenda. He noted that the commission's staff advised against pursuing the McBride investigation, but the board voted to go forward.

MacManus, a political science professor appointed to head the commission by Bush, said she also couldn't comment on charges of partisanship, although she said the members have voted in the past contrary to the staff's recommendations.

[PhiKapMom]

McBride is taking after his mentors Terry McAullife and the clintons! Sleeze!

[PhiKapMom]

FYI!

[JulieRNR21]

WOW.....this is getting very interesting indeed!

Message to McBride, McAwful & rest of sleaze:

Don't mess with Florida!!!

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Have no fear. McLawyer's buddies are still on the FL Supreme Court. Which reminds me:

VOTE OUT ALL THE REMAINING CHILES APPOINTMENTS YOU FLORIDA VOTERS

This politically incorrect reminder brought to you by someone who will probably be on your television news in early November being arrested for creating a public nuisance with his anti Amendment 6 protest.

[PhiKapMom]

I was shocked to see this in my email! This is turning into a very interesting deal with McBride and the teacher's unions!

I love it -- Don't Mess with Florida!

[PhiKapMom]

Way to go! Keep reminding everyone about those Supreme Court folks!

[Libertina]

The rats force laws through, then break them. Now watch them get all huffy if they're called on the carpet. Sheeesh!

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Thank you. I haven't forgotten. And I'm trying to remind EVERYONE who is a Florida resident to not just look at the Supremes, but on a local level. There are a ton of Chiles and other cronies to vote out. So don't just look to the top, look everywhere.

[PhiKapMom]

I can see McBride now acting indignant!

[PhiKapMom]

Didn't realize Chiles folks were still everywhere!

[Wait4Truth]

This is excellent!!! Get the snakes! I will be following this closely!

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Yes. You need to research every judge, every prosecutor, every official to see who elected or appointed them before Jeb. You'll find a lot of incumbents that were appointed by the lying sob Chiles. And that is what has set our state's economic growth back. We could be so far ahead but because of the lax on crime judges, and ignorant DOT officials, we are lagging. Not to mention some of the local "friends" in the various counties who kissed his tuckus. So do your homework locally and "out" them. Literally.

[lasereye]

asking for information on what the McBride campaign's roll, if any, was in producing the ads.

That's role, not roll. Associated Press, what do you expect?

[PhiKapMom]

HEHEHE! I love it! Their proofreading is really, really bad!

[cinFLA]

The ads in question are no longer on the air. But analysts say they likely helped propel McBride to victory over Janet Reno in the Democratic primary.

Typical. Do whatever it takes to win the election and then worry about the hand-slap afterwards.

[PhiKapMom]

That's what burns me up -- DemocRATs do it all the time!

If Jeb had done something like that the news would be all over him demanding he resign probably!

[Dog Gone]

Stonecipher said the nine-member elections commission, which has at least three members with close Republican ties, is pursuing a pro-Bush agenda.

Only three of nine? Then there IS something to this.

[PhiKapMom]

Don't you love RAT math? Three out of nine makes it a Republican agenda!

[Fracas]

This a typical Dem ploy...run the ad, get the advantage, then pay the fine, pull the ad, or apologize as required. Unfortunately, by that time, the damage is done.

Daschle's high dudgeon at the President being 'political' pales in comparison to 40 years of these tactics by the Dems.

Sleazy is not a strong enough term, IMHO. I personally like GWB's characterization: good vs. evil. For us or against us.

[Jonathon Spectre]

McBride is owned body and soul by the "teachers" unions. I would vote for Lord Satan himself first.