The Incumbent Protection Act, aka McCain-Feingold, took a big hit yesterday from the Supreme Court. It is particularly timely with so many incumbents nervously eying the exits. The McCain-Feingold bill prohibited corporations and unions from “electioneering communications” within in 30 days of a primary, or 60 days of a general election. Those time limits probably match pretty nicely with when most people start paying close attention to elections. So if this kind of communication is cut off, who is left with the power of name recognition? That’s right, the incumbent and that is probably why 90% of incumbents are re-elected.
Outrage on the Left
President Obama immediately came out swinging saying it was a victory for “big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies, and other special interests.” He somehow overlooked the SEIU union whose president topped the list of visitors to the White House. Unions will have unfettered communications as well. Chuck Schumer promises hearings and the Naderite Public Citizen group is proposing a constitutional amendment banning free speech for “for-profit” corporations. I’ll give you a moment to ponder that; a constitutional amendment to eviscerate the First Amendment.
The Momentum is Building
On April 15 it will be the first anniversary of the Tea Parties that were held across the country. Let’s raise a cup of tea, that the Ship of Liberty that was foundering on the rocks may at last be turning it’s guns on the enemy and turning the tide of battle. Virginia, New Jersey, a close loss in NY23, Massachusetts, the First Amendment, the momentum is building. But let’s not forget the words of Churchill:
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. — Winston Churchill
Don’t let up until we have our country back.
