RuthAlice,
 
There are numerous instances of both major parties and of candidates from both major parties threatening complaints over advocacy ads.  This type of bullying is not some RNC monopoly.  Indeed, as I often highlight, this is an inevitable consequence of the philosophy that political speech can and should be regulated - regulation is a weapon in the arsenal of political players, and used accordingly by candidates and parties of all stripes.
 
Bradley A. Smith

________________________________

From: owner-election-law_gl@majordomo.lls.edu on behalf of RuthAlice Anderson
Sent: Thu 6/8/2006 5:31 PM
To: richard@shepardlawoffice.com; election-law@majordomo.lls.edu
Subject: RE: Query: Rules Governing TV Surveys



Although I am no lawyer, I agree that the media exemption should
cover this. I would just like to share my impression that this sounds
like a lawyer expressing an argument to dissuade the station from
airing the information.

There have been numerous instances of the RNC threatening complaints
over  advocacy ads (such as those against privatizing social security
and the tolerant church ads of the United MEthodists. Clearly, their
threats have no merit and they haven't a legal leg to stand on, but
it doesn't matter because they are able to bully enough stations to
keep the ads off the air. This simply sounds like the same sort of
bullying tactic.  If it works, they keep info off the air that may
damage their campaign momentum. If they fail, they are in the same
place as if they had not tried bullying.

RuthAlice





RuthAlice Anderson
Admin & Finance Manager
Western States Center
PO Box 40305
Portland, OR 97240
ph: 503-228-8866 ext. 107
fax: 503-228-1965
e-mail: rutha@wscpdx.org

http://www.westernstatescenter.org