FredRum Lt.Jg.
Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 118 Location: Reston, VA
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:50 am Post subject: SBVFT/527 legal commentary from FindLaw |
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In an attempt to battle my insomnia, I was browsing around FindLaw (apologies to O'Neill and others, but lawyers induce immediate drowsiness in me ) and saw this new article linked on their home page. It's biased, but I thought it might be of passing interest to some of the folks here:
Why "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" and Other "527" Organizations Can't Be Silenced
By MICHAEL C. DORF
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Wednesday, Sep. 01, 2004
When asked whether he supports the attacks on John Kerry's Vietnam War record by "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," President Bush has repeatedly dodged the question.
To his credit, the President has said that Kerry admirably served his country. But he has not specifically condemned the Swift Boat advertisements, which falsely claim that Kerry lied about the events that led to his combat medals.
Instead, Bush has called for an end to all political ads by so-called "527" organizations, which are not subject to the restrictions on campaign finance that apply to campaigns and the major parties. His position would eliminate ads by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which is a 527, but would also shut down wholly truthful ads by every other such organization as well.
Last week, Bush upped the ante. Calling the "shadowy" 527s "bad for the system," he enlisted campaign finance hero John McCain's support for new legislation. Their proposed law would forbid 527s from raising and spending money outside of the federal restrictions.
click here to read the entire article _________________
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