Russ Feingold is great for VP, McCain-Feingold is a GREAT LAW

[Hippo_Tron]

Okay, this is about the only way I could get your attention. I've heard many arguments on the subject of Russ Feingold that McCain-Feingold has effectively screwed over democrats in many ways. Those who believe this argument PLEASE answer this question. WHY was it Democrats who supported it and Republicans who delayed it for as long as possible?

[Eric J in MN]

1. It would be a good law if it were interpreted properly. The problem is

It would be a good law if it were interpreted properly. The problem is that Republicans on The FEC are planning to misinterpret it to hurt Democrats.

[Prodemsouth]

2. The smarter people were warning it would do just that but nobody listened

We will shutter everytime we hear 'McCain Feingold" very shortly. mark my words. Feingold can lose for all I care he has done aas much to hurt us as Nader- he helped get Ashcroft at DOJ it was all up to him and he let us down. Bush was waiting for Ashcroft to be rejected so he could put in the "more moderate" Marc Riacot (sp), former governor of Montana, who was more of a friend to Bush than Ashcroft.

[mot78]

4. Yeah but Feingold made up for it by voting AGAINST the Patriot Act

[wuushew]

3. Freepers hate Bush for signing CFR

since they are always 100% wrong the law must have some inherent good in it.

[tedoll78]

5. I'm wondering..

if the FEC ruling could be challenged in court.

Note the law's text.. it limits donations to a candidate's campaign - not to 527s! The GOP is always whining about liberals making-up law from the bench, and here they are asking the FEC's bench to create a 527 interpretation!

If the GOP wants to regulate 527s, they should go through the designated proper legislative channels.

[Doomsayer13]

6. Because the system before was pretty much legalized bribery

Corporations and intest groups could contribute an infinite amount to parties via soft money. Corporations and interest groups could also form their own non-profit organizations, not disclose financially and run ads that blatantly lied about a candidate they didn't like. Many a good candidate suffered from this smear attack and because of the sluggishness of Washington beuracracy, were never able to do anything about it.

The system before was fucked, and everybody knew it. Corporations had unlimited financial access to Washington and something needed to be done. McCain-Feingold hurt the Democrats but it was the best piece of legislation that could be passeed witha Republican majority. And It's one of the times that I'm glad the Democratic party actually stood for principle, because they had more to lose from it.