RNC tells TV stations not to run anti-Bush ads

[DealMonkey]

Seems like the RNC is in legal left-field with this issue, MoveOn as a group, and therefore the funds to pay for ads, are financed by small contributions from individual donors. Besides, since when is it the job of the RNC to determine whether ads are legal or not? I thought the FCC would be the one making these calls. Hmmm, guess the lawyers will have to fight it out . . .

CNN.com: RNC tells TV stations not to run anti-Bush ads

GOP committee says MoveOn.org's spots are illegally financed

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Republican National Committee is warning television stations across the country not to run ads from the MoveOn.org Voter Fund that criticize President Bush, charging that the left-leaning political group is paying for them with money raised in violation of the new campaign-finance law.

"As a broadcaster licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, you have a responsibility to the viewing public, and to your licensing agency, to refrain from complicity in any illegal activity," said the RNC's chief counsel, Jill Holtzman Vogel, in a letter sent to about 250 stations Friday.

"Now that you have been apprised of the law, to prevent further violations of federal law, we urge you to remove these advertisements from your station's broadcast rotation."

But MoveOn.org's lawyer, Joseph Sandler, said in a statement that the ads were funded legally, calling the RNC's letter "a complete misrepresentation of the law."

"The federal campaign laws have permitted precisely this use of money for advertising for the past 25 years," he said.

And MoveOn.org, which was planning to spend $1.9 million on an ad buy that started Thursday, said Friday that it would spend another $1 million.

'Soft money' targeted
The RNC charges that because the ads are designed to help defeat President Bush, the group cannot pay for them with unlimited "soft money" contributions but only with contributions raised in amounts less than $5,000.

Although MoveOn.org is a so-called "Section 527" organization that is legally allowed to raise soft money in unlimited amounts from donors, the new campaign-finance law prohibits the group from using those funds to pay for ads that directly attack Bush, Vogel said.

And in a bit of political one-upmanship, the letter quotes the presumptive Democratic nominee, Sen. John Kerry, as saying that the objective of the new law "is to eliminate altogether the capacity of soft money to play the role that it does in our politics."

But MoveOn.org says it has raised $10 million for advertising from 160,000 donors, in amounts averaging $50-$60. It is running two ads in 67 TV markets in what its Web site describes as 17 "battleground" states.

"It's not surprising that [RNC Chairman] Ed Gillespie continues to make false claims about the legality of our campaign in order to silence us," Wes Boyd, president of the voter fund, said in a statement. "Our lawyers continue to assure us that our advertising, and the small contributions from tens of thousands of our members that pay for it, conform in every way to existing campaign-finance laws."

The group maintains that a recent ruling from the Federal Election Commission supports the method it is using to fund the ads. But in her letter to the stations, Vogel said that FEC ruling makes it clear that any ad that "promotes, supports, attacks or opposes" a federal candidate comes under the contribution limits, which she charges MoveOn is violating.

One of the ads, called "Worker," ends with the tag line, "George Bush. He's not on our side." The other, called "Child's Play," shows small children working at various jobs and ends with the tag line, "Guess who's going to pay off President Bush's $1 trillion deficit?"

RNC: Problem with funding, not content
Vogel insisted that the RNC's problem with the ads stemmed from their funding, not their content.

"I write not because of the misleading allegations contained in the advertisement, which will be answered in due time, but because running this advertisement breaks the law," Vogel's letter said.

MoveOn.org has been running ads for several months on cable channels, which don't fall under FCC regulations. However, CBS refused to broadcast the group's ads during the Super Bowl, saying the network did not run issue advertising.

MoveOn.org and other groups trying to defeat Bush have been raising money to help the Democratic nominee compete with the president's vast war chest in the period between the end of the Democratic primaries and the political conventions. The Bush-Cheney campaign, which launched its first ad salvo this week, has more than $100 million to spend.

The RNC has complained that though it is no longer allowed to use soft money for campaigning, MoveOn.org is accepting large soft money contributions from a cadre of wealthy donors, including billionaire financier George Soros and film producer Steven Bing, in its quest to defeat the president.

Soros has said ousting Bush this year is now the "central focus of my life."

 

[Dari]

How can they raise $10 million via 160,000 individuals when George Soros has gone on record himself stating that he's donating $15 million to this organization?

 

[sMiLeYz]

dari

Where does George Soros say hes donating 15 million to this organization? Url?

 

[TheBDB]

They should have declared MoveOn.org a terrorist organization and bombed it. Much better way to silence them.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: Dari
How can they raise $10 million via 160,000 individuals when George Soros has gone on record himself stating that he's donating $15 million to this organization?

Maybe the 10 million is in addition to the 15 million?

 

[sMiLeYz]

Gotta love Republicans and their blatently obvious attempts to squash dissent.

 

[Jmman]

"It also has attracted powerful allies. In November, billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his business partner, Peter Lewis, pledged a $5 million matching grant -- a dollar for every two raised by MoveOn members -- to create a $15 million advertising campaign to defeat President Bush."

 

[Jhhnn]

Shee-it, Dari, that's simple- they raised over $25M. I contributed, myself. Simple math.

The Republicans are getting desperate, with good reason. This attack by the RNC is an attempt at intimidation, pure and simple. The message being that if they win, they'll make it tough for anybody who didn't go along with their program.

If there are legal grounds for the charge, I'm sure the DoJ or some other feredal agency will make the appropriate complaints...

Meanwhile, the RNC should work on getting their own campaign together, rather than trying to silence the opposition...

 

[Tripleshot]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
Shee-it, Dari, that's simple- they raised over $25M. I contributed, myself. Simple math.

The Republicans are getting desperate, with good reason. This attack by the RNC is an attempt at intimidation, pure and simple. The message being that if they win, they'll make it tough for anybody who didn't go along with their program.

If there are legal grounds for the charge, I'm sure the DoJ or some other feredal agency will make the appropriate complaints...

Meanwhile, the RNC should work on getting their own campaign together, rather than trying to silence the opposition...

The only campaign they are going on is 9/11. They have no answers to the democratic opposition. They want to show pictures of the twin towers going down and claim unddr Bush's watch, we are all safe from terrorism. Good grief. It was probably because he was president at the time the towers were targeted.

At any rate, this is typical of the RNC. They have nothing to go on, so "lets use the courts like we did in Florida 12/2000" Trail lawyers will win for Bush.

Oh, the hypocracy.

 

[nutxo]

Good grief. It was probably because he was president at the time the towers were targeted.

Oh, the hypocracy.

Umm, seeing as how the last person to attack anyone was Clinton I doubt it was Bush that caused the twin towers. It was probably Bill Clinton and the democrats system of genocide they, along with the UN, had imposed on the people of Iraq. Starving children to death, Im suprised they didnt build ovens.

:beer:

 

[sandorski]

Shouldn't the RNC be making a complaint to the the appropriate Governmental Agency(FCC?) instead of directly "Warning" media outlets? Let the appropriate channels/Courts Rule on the legality and then contact those involved, to do otherwise appears as Government/Political interference.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

 

[TheBDB]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

Of course possible campaign ad violations concern me. However, the focus of this thread is what the RNC is doing. Feel free to start a new thread if the FCC charges MoveOn.org with a crime.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

You know what this thread is about Cad. Sit back and enjoy the show. It's quite funny.

BTW is it the FCC's job to monitor this or the FEC? Or both?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

Of course possible campaign ad violations concern me. However, the focus of this thread is what the RNC is doing. Feel free to start a new thread if the FCC charges MoveOn.org with a crime.

The RNC is informing the stations of the violations. Now sure - the FCC hasn't ruled on it but since when does one have to wait for them to send letters to the stations requesting they stop doing something possibly against the rules?

This whine fest about the RNC sending letters is pretty entertaining though.

CkG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Ultra Quiet

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

You know what this thread is about Cad. Sit back and enjoy the show. It's quite funny.

BTW is it the FCC's job to monitor this or the FEC? Or both?

I believe both would have jurisdiction. The question would be where to start. FEC would be my hunch - then the FCC would have to enforce it.

CkG

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

Of course possible campaign ad violations concern me. However, the focus of this thread is what the RNC is doing. Feel free to start a new thread if the FCC charges MoveOn.org with a crime.

The RNC is informing the stations of the violations. Now sure - the FCC hasn't ruled on it but since when does one have to wait for them to send letters to the stations requesting they stop doing something possibly against the rules?

This whine fest about the RNC sending letters is pretty entertaining though.

CkG

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Shouldn't the RNC be making a complaint to the the appropriate Governmental Agency(FCC?) instead of directly "Warning" media outlets? Let the appropriate channels/Courts Rule on the legality and then contact those involved, to do otherwise appears as Government/Political interference.

So it's not common practice for lawyers to send "please cease and desist" letters prior to actually filing a lawsuit? Say for instance someone was using copyrighted material on a web page. Would they go straight to court or send them a letter warning them of the violation?

This is pure politics nothing more, nothing less. The ranting in here is hilarious as usual. By reading some of these posts you'd swear this was the first campaign some of you had ever seen. Get a clue.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

Of course possible campaign ad violations concern me. However, the focus of this thread is what the RNC is doing. Feel free to start a new thread if the FCC charges MoveOn.org with a crime.

The RNC is informing the stations of the violations. Now sure - the FCC hasn't ruled on it but since when does one have to wait for them to send letters to the stations requesting they stop doing something possibly against the rules?

This whine fest about the RNC sending letters is pretty entertaining though.

CkG

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

So why didn't they just tell them flat out to stop? Or have the FCC/FEC tell them to stop?

 

[Shad0hawK]

Originally posted by: sandorski

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

so that makes it okay?

so the better alternative is to let the democrats who also are seeking election and the de-facto controller of parts of the government should get to do pretty much what they want without "bothersome legal questions" form the opposing side?

what concerns me is the dem penchant for ignoring the law when they have something to gain from it

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Shad0hawK

Originally posted by: sandorski

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

so that makes it okay?

so the better alternative is to let the democrats who also are seeking election and the de-facto controller of parts of the government should get to do pretty much what they want without "bothersome legal questions" form the opposing side?

what concerns me is the dem penchant for ignoring the law when they have something to gain from it

Where are the Democrats ignoring the law in this thread?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Ultra Quiet

Originally posted by: sandorski
Shouldn't the RNC be making a complaint to the the appropriate Governmental Agency(FCC?) instead of directly "Warning" media outlets? Let the appropriate channels/Courts Rule on the legality and then contact those involved, to do otherwise appears as Government/Political interference.

So it's not common practice for lawyers to send "please cease and desist" letters prior to actually filing a lawsuit? Say for instance someone was using copyrighted material on a web page. Would they go straight to court or send them a letter warning them of the violation?

This is pure politics nothing more, nothing less. The ranting in here is hilarious as usual. By reading some of these posts you'd swear this was the first campaign some of you had ever seen. Get a clue.

Is the RNC an Official of the Federal Government? The Law? No, the RNC does not own the law concerning this issue, it is merely a subject of it. The RNC should file a complaint through the appropriate channels. It is even very questionable if the Law is being contravened for God sake, let those responsible decide, not a Political Apparatus.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Ultra Quiet

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
So the fact that they(never-movedOn.org) could possibly be breaking campaign ad rules doesn't concern anyone - we just get yapping about "dissent" and "desperation" and all sorts of other BS. The RNC can file a formal complaint if it feels ad rules were broken. I'm sure this'll be worked out in short order and then if what Mrg is doing doesn't break the rules - expect the Republicans to do the exact same thing and put the paltry $15 million they(Mrg) supposedly have to shame.

CkG

Of course possible campaign ad violations concern me. However, the focus of this thread is what the RNC is doing. Feel free to start a new thread if the FCC charges MoveOn.org with a crime.

The RNC is informing the stations of the violations. Now sure - the FCC hasn't ruled on it but since when does one have to wait for them to send letters to the stations requesting they stop doing something possibly against the rules?

This whine fest about the RNC sending letters is pretty entertaining though.

CkG

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

So why didn't they just tell them flat out to stop? Or have the FCC/FEC tell them to stop?

Probably to avoid the appearance of being too heavy handed. That would go from the realm of "Appearance" to outright "Evidence".

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: Shad0hawK

Originally posted by: sandorski

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

so that makes it okay?

so the better alternative is to let the democrats who also are seeking election and the de-facto controller of parts of the government should get to do pretty much what they want without "bothersome legal questions" form the opposing side?

what concerns me is the dem penchant for ignoring the law when they have something to gain from it

Where are the Democrats ignoring the law in this thread?

Are you really that naive? Sure it isn't exactly the DNC doing this but...

And that is the point. If nevermovedOn can do this - then you'll see the other side do this as well to skirt campaign finance laws. I don't think this is something that the left wants to challenge the right to. But whatever - should be interesting to see what comes of this. So much for money out of politics- no?

CkG

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Shad0hawK

Originally posted by: sandorski

The problem with it is, that the RNC is a Political Apparatus seeking election and is also the defacto controller of all parts of the Federal Government. If that doesn't cause concern for you what would?

so that makes it okay?

so the better alternative is to let the democrats who also are seeking election and the de-facto controller of parts of the government should get to do pretty much what they want without "bothersome legal questions" form the opposing side?

what concerns me is the dem penchant for ignoring the law when they have something to gain from it

No. Neither party should. There are channels where complaints go for a reason.

Edit: Their is only alleged "ignoring of the Law", alleged by something that doesn't have the power to make a charge. If they are confident of their allegation, tell those who can make the charge.