How Much Will The FEC Shutdown Affect The '08 Election? ((Edward's Funding?)

[mod mom]

How Much Will The FEC Shutdown Affect The '08 Election?
By Paul Kiel - January 4, 2008, 1:45PM
The Federal Election Commission, the agency that administers and enforces campaign finance laws, has shut down.

How big of a deal is that? Well, the consequences will not be immediately felt -- but if it stays shut down, it could significantly affect the 2008 elections.

As of now, the FEC has only two commissioners. It needs four to do anything. The reason for the shortage, of course, is the Senate stalemate over vote-suppression guru Hans von Spakovsky's nomination. Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and others have opposed Republicans' efforts to have Spakovsky bundled with three other FEC nominees (2 Dems and another Republican).


And when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) tried to hold up-or-down votes on each of the nominees separately in December, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked it. And that's where things stand. The White House says that it's standing behind Spakovsky (even though he's packed his bagsand gone).

-snip

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/005015.php

Than bastard Hans is still haunting us!

[mod mom]

1. Edwards future matching payments must wait for 4 FEC members:

In December, The Washington Post hit on this, and Edwards staffers pronounced themselves unconcerned:

The FEC certified the payment of the first installment of funds this week, including $8.8 million for Edwards. But matching payments for money he has raised this month, or will receive in subsequent months, may have to wait until the FEC has four members.
There is debate among campaign finance lawyers about whether matching funds could be released without a formal commission vote, one Edwards campaign official said. Because the next installment of funds would not arrive until after the early primaries, strategists inside the Edwards campaign said they are not worried.

"We have the necessary resources to wage an aggressive campaign with the funds we currently have on hand," said Eric Schultz, a spokesman for the campaign. "We fully expect the FEC to meet their obligations under the public financing system."

from Muck

[MGKrebs]

6. On the other hand, he can raise and spend as much as he wants

without fear of enforcement.

Which he might already be doing:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/12/28/223528/15

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/pubfund_limits_2007.shtml

Just go for it and pay the fine later?

[HeraldSquare212]

2. Wow. So we may have to accept a no-good commissioner for Edwards to get paid?

That would be an embarrassing start to the no-compromise campaign.

[mod mom]

3. von Spakovsky is beyond NO GOOD. Sen Obama has been instrumental in

holding up his appointment so this whole deal could get sticky.

Over New Years von Spakovsky attempted to back out of the appt seeing it was going nowhere but the WH stepped in and said no.

[spotbird]

5. That may be the point.nt

[AndyA]

4. This is why it's important to donate as much as you can to Edwards directly.

He can use that immediately.

I'm going to give as much as I can, because I believe John is the only candidate who is capable and willing to bring about the drastic changes we need in this country.