Cardin revisits 06 GOP dirty trick in hearing on bill to make campaign tricksters federal criminals

[BurtWorm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/07/AR2007060702142_pf.html


Cardin Promotes Campaign-Tactics Legislation

By Lisa Rein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 8, 2007; B06

When Republicans distributed fliers in November suggesting that prominent Maryland Democrats were supporting the GOP's Michael S. Steele for U.S. Senate, Democratic candidate Benjamin L. Cardin could do little more than denounce the tactic.

When Democratic leaders asked the Justice Department to investigate the Prince George's County mailings, they were told no federal laws applied.

...


" 'Misleading' is being kind to it," Cardin said as he opened a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the bill to punish deceptive election practices. "It was an effort to confuse minority voters in the largest jurisdiction in Maryland."

He called the fliers the "poll tax of our time," referring to the long-illegal practice of charging people to vote, aimed at keeping blacks from voting. Cardin said the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 is designed to "put political parties and candidates on notice."

The legislation, introduced last year by Democratic Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.). would make it a federal crime to distribute campaign literature that makes false claims about endorsements.

It calls for penalties of up to $100,000 and five years in prison for anyone convicted of knowingly communicating false information on the "time, place and manner" of elections, voter eligibility and rules, a candidate's party affiliation and endorsements. Supporters say the bill would be an extension of the Voting Rights Act, passed 42 years ago to protect voters from intimidation. A companion bill has passed the House Judiciary Committee.

[aquart]

1. Oh, I LIKE that.

Pass it, Congress. I dare you.

[ljm2002]

2. Very good

I hope it passes