Gov't Lawyers Seek Limits for Soft Money

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- Government lawyers are renewing their push to rein in groups like those spending millions on ads and voter outreach in the presidential race.

At issue is how federal law affects nonparty groups that spend soft money -- corporate, union or unlimited donations -- in federal elections.

Starting after the 2002 election, this kind of spending has been banned broadly from presidential and congressional races. Also, national party committees and federal candidates cannot solicit such donations.

New outside groups, most pro-Democratic, contend the ban does not apply to them, so they are pouring soft money into ads and get-out-the-vote efforts focused on this year's presidential race. Campaign watchdogs disagree and want the Federal Election Commission to block the spending.

......The rules would not take effect before the Nov. 2 election.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-shadow-parties,0,4838659.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[mbperrin]

1. So nice to see the *folks using OUR tax dollars (govt lawyers)

to push THEIR agenda!

Looks like someone underestimated the power of the Net to really combine a lot of small donations into a rather impressive sum!

And as usual, when the Pubs are losing, they want to take the ball (which belongs to US, dammit) and go home!

I believe I'll let the Veep speak for me on this one!

[TahitiNut]

2. It'd be nice if they'd devote the same attention ...

... to making sure votes are counted accurately and completely.

[bemildred]

3. Hey, money is "speech", ask Fat Tony. nt