Even if things got a little testy at times, the debate over the internet question on this listserv over the last couple of weeks or so has been illuminating. It also demonstrated that the most able and knowledgeable minds in our field were unable to find common ground. Now the FEC has adopted a policy that, judging at least from the comments that have been posted here, is reasonably acceptable to all sides.
That is a very impressive accomplishment. Since the FEC rarely receives anything but bad press, that accomplishment is worth noting.
Best,
Daniel Lowenstein
UCLA Law School
405 Hilgard
Los Angeles, California 90095-1476
310-825-5148
________________________________
From: owner-election-law_gl@majordomo.lls.edu on behalf of Rick Hasen
Sent: Mon 3/27/2006 9:07 AM
To: election-law
Subject: FEC Unanimously Approves Internet Rulemaking
FEC Unanimously Approves Internet Rulemaking
So reports <http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/news.html?AID=664> Bob Bauer, who also links to (1) these amendments and explanatory material missing from the <http://www.fec.gov/agenda/2006/mtgdoc06-20a.pdf> draft <http://www.fec.gov/agenda/2006/mtgdoc06-20.pdf> released Friday; (2) this opening statement <http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/clientfiles/Opening%20Statement%20--%20Internetfinalvote.pdf> from FEC Chair Michael Toner; and (3) this interesting statement <http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/clientfiles/vspak.pdf> by Commissioner van Spakovsky, who characterizes his own vote for these rules as "reluctant" and calls upon Congress to pass H.R. 1606.