Today marks a historical milestone in American politics. Today is the day the the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act (aka “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002“) effectively silences all broadcast advertising that criticizes political candidates.

From the Examiner:

Something almost without precedent in America will happen Thursday. That’s the day when McCain-Feingold — aka the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 — will officially silence broadcast advertising that contains criticism of members of Congress seeking re-election in November. Before 2006, American election campaigns traditionally began in earnest after Labor Day. Unless McCain-Feingold is repealed, Labor Day will henceforth mark the point in the campaign when congressional incumbents can sit back and cruise, free of those pesky negative TV and radio spots. It is the most effective incumbent protection act possible, short of abolishing the elections themselves.

So I’m making a call for some good old fashioned civil disobedience… backed by the full force of the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Any and all conservative political candidates and organizations who wish to advertise, campaign, editorialize, sling mud, go negative, be positive, criticize or challenge political opponents, can do so through this blog right up until the voting booths close on November 7th… ABSOLUTELY FREE.

1. Jason, that’s a bargain even at twice the price!

   Does the Incumbent Protection Act include the Internet?

   Comment by Old Soldier — 10:07 am
   

2. “Does the Incumbent Protection Act include the Internet?”

   Probably not. The law says that state and local political parties can raise unlimited soft-money for state and local races, but they can’t use those soft-money dollars to engage in “public communications” that refer to candidates for federal office (representatives, senators, and presidents).

   But the act defines “public communication” as:

   “a communication by means of any broadcast, cable or satellite communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mass mailing or telephone bank to the general public, or any other form of general public political advertising.”

   While the catch-all at the end would seem to include the Internet, the FEC sepcifically ruled that communications over the Internet aren’t included in the definition. The FEC also cited the Internet’s two-way nature as a reason for the exemption: “Congress did not include other forms of two-way dialogue such as candidate forums, rallies, debates or other events that are open to the public.”

   Comment by Texas Rainmaker — 10:16 am
   

3. Jason, thanks for the expanded view.

   Comment by Old Soldier — 4:37 pm
   

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