Interest Group Ads Can't Name Candidates

[Freddie Stubbs]

Abortion rights, environmental and other lobbying groups running ads for or against President Bush or any of his Democratic rivals now have a choice to make: Either remove the candidate's name or pull the commercial from the airwaves.

The campaign finance law that the Supreme Court upheld Wednesday bans ads that mention candidates for federal office within 30 days of a primary election and 60 days of a general election if they are paid for with "soft money."

The huge, unlimited donations from corporations, unions and individuals typically are used to broadcast so-called "issue ads," which critics say are really intended to sway voters just before an election and often include sharp critiques of candidates.

The restrictions kick in Sunday, 30 days before the District of Columbia's nonbinding presidential primary. They next take effect Dec. 20 in Iowa, which holds its caucuses Jan. 19, and Dec. 28 in New Hampshire, where the primary is Jan. 27. They also apply to House and Senate races.

more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-elect/2003/dec/10/121001551.html

[La_Serpiente]

1. That sounds alright to me

n/t

[grannylib]

2. I think this is a good thing...too many people are swayed by little

sound bites and propaganda...they should inform themselves on their candidate's positions well before that point in time. I hope it doesn't turn out to be one of those things that will bite us in the butt later on.

[terrisel]

3. I read that Individuals Can Still Fund Those Ads n/t

[beyurslf]

4. Can the ads say

"the republicans did this or want to do that" or the "democrats did this or want to do that"?


Or does it also ban this?