The New York Times has a great piece on Fred Thompson's quasi-campaign effort and how the FEC is struggling to deal (or not deal) with it:
Mr. Thompson, a Republican, has been able to set up what looks like a stealth campaign on the Internet because federal election laws and enforcement have failed to catch up with the surge in campaigning in cyberspace. As a result, he has been able to promote his positions and raise money through his Web site, all while technically remaining a noncandidate.
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F.E.C. regulations that limit the use of traditional media for campaignlike activity apply to the Web as well. But while regulators can easily monitor the reach and level of spending on television and other traditional forms of advertising, the same is not the case with the Internet, since users determine how much traffic a site like Mr. Thompson’s gets. And experts say enforcement is practically nonexistent.“The federal government is a lumbering beast amid all these insects,†said Michael Cornfield, a professor of political management at George Washington University who specializes in online campaigning. He said Mr. Thompson was running a “phantom campaign†on the Web.
“That’s what the Internet makes possible that wasn’t possible 20 years ago,†Professor Cornfield said. “Because people can campaign on your behalf, you can have what looks to the letter of the law like uncoordinated campaigns but you’re still building yourself a network.â€
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FEC Violations?
This quote:
"But while regulators can easily monitor the reach and level of spending on television and other traditional forms of advertising, the same is not the case with the Internet, since users determine how much traffic a site like Mr. Thompson’s gets. And experts say enforcement is practically nonexistent."
...seems like they're preparing a case to give Fred a hard time. Anyone willing to take a bet that the next thing to come along is accusing the Republicans of ignoring FEC rules/laws?
indubitable!
Blogging at RespectfullyRepublican.com
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The first direct mail letter was in my box at home tonight. His phantom campaign is starting to look very real, especially when I consider pulling my checkbook out.
Wait a Minute...
Someone needs to correct me. I've read the FEC statue. It's a long, boring, and often ambiguous piece of crap. So then I read a 200 page commentary by lawyers employed by the federal government.
What spending limit would Fred had reach that he wouldn't have reach while announcing. I think we all just jumped on a very very poor article, but I really hope I'm wrong. I would love to understand what it is that I must have missed both times.
The statue does NOT limit the use of web ads, video ads on the internet, or web activity. Sure some rules apply - like "I'm Fred Thompson and I endorse this ad."
McCain-Feingold put like two other "restrictions" on the web if I recall that correctly as well.
So SOMEONE, ANYONE - David, Patrick, a Lawyer..... please explain to me the advantage Fred has. Fred still reports, he still has to report in details, and has not bought web ads galore (none to my knowledge).
This is the one time I'm actually asking to be wrong.
..Okay, after reading the article I think a lot is taken out of context. I had red flags in my face, but SUSAN SAULNY did a good job at wrapping it up. It's her job to cause a lil' hype (which apparently she did for all those who haven't read the section on Presidential campaigns in the FEC statue)
Key word: "campaignlike."
Take it in context people. Please!
The only thing you have to worry about is the one thing that can be bypassed: Video.
Hello, YouTube?! It's the cost, not the views. Airtime is equally accessible on the internet, so there's nothing to worry about.
Fred is wanting not to bust on his (booty) - that's all. Please stop the hype, stop the "stealth," stop the "Superman" analogies. He's smart, but far from the Savior and his campaign is doing nothing sneaky by having an active base online.
Give me a break TR.
Ali A. Akbar
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econservative.org, Founder
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