Elizabeth Dole and the FEC
Submitted by Blue South on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 3:20pm
"Maybe Elizabeth Dole doesn't stand by her ad because she knows that for the past six years she hasn't been standing up for North Carolina's families."
Today the NCDP filed their second ethics complaint in a week against Elizabeth Dole. This time its Federal Election Law that Elizabeth Dole has violated. For the Complaint, click here (PDF)
Under Federal Election Candidates are required to have a "stand by your ad" disclaimer. From the complaint:
Under the applicable Federal Election Commission regulations, a television advertisement authorized by a candidate must contain an audio statement by the candidate identifying the candidate and stating that he or she approved the message; the audio voice-over must be accompanied by either "an unobscured, full-screen view" of the candidate, or else a picture of the candidate that is "at least eighty (80) percent of the vertical screen height." 11 C.F.R. § 110.11(c)(3)(ii). The advertisement must also contain "a similar statement that must appear in clearly reading writing at the end of the television communication." Id. §110.11(c)(3)(iii).
I know people will say "who cares". But these requirements were put in place to protect our democracy, and to make sure that candidates werent putting up negative ads and hiding from them. You might remember that starting in 06, many candidates began incorporating the disclosure statement into the ad.
Well, now Elizabeth Dole's "crack" communications team has; whether through laziness, incompetence, or willful manipulation, broken the law yet again. I look forward to the FEC doing their job and investigating Dole's team.
For those who think that this violation, and the violation from earlier this week are small or trivial, well, I think Jerry's quote speaks to that much better than I ever could:
"Ms. Dole and her campaign may dismiss these matters as small or irrelevant," Meek said. "But they are an indication of how fast and loose Republicans are willing to play with the rules. North Carolinians are tired of Washington insiders who say one thing and do another, or in Dole's case, do nothing."
Smoke and Fire
For the second time in a week we have seen Smoke, and the Dole campaign playing fast and loose with Election Laws. I just wonder if there is any fire?
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
No fire
This stuff is good for distracting the opponent, but it doesn't add up to much when all is said and done, in my opinion. Most people would say, "Who cares?" and then go buy some beer and potato chips.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Sad but true
Politicians in this country (on both sides of the aisle) have spent so much time acting more important than the laws they write, its not surprising that people now expect politicians to break the law.
Its a sad commentary on our country.
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
I agree, James.
And unless the heightened focus uncovers something outrageous, I'm kind of worried this approach might cause people to conclude that there's nothing substantive under "ethics" for Dole's opponents to use against her.