A USA Today editorial on the stalemate over at the FEC says, "This couldn’t have happened at a worse time for those who care about clean elections – or a more opportune moment for groups seeking to flout the rules and turn the election into a special-interest mockery."
Really? A special-interest mockery? Perhaps, USA Today could clarify what issues that these groups support aren’t worthy of being discussed or represented in this year’s election?
On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee has been helped by "Americans for Fair Taxation" who dream of overhauling our nation’s tax code. Their dream may be unlikely, but that doesn’t mean their speech should be banned – just the opposite.
Meanwhile, the leading democratic candidates have enjoyed the support of various unions. The American Federation of Teacher’s and AFSCME have supported Senator Clinton. Edwards has garnered support of the Carpenter’s Union and the SEIU. And yesterday, the union representing Nevada’s culinary workers endorsed Obama. Together, these groups represent millions of American voters. They have a right to represent themselves in the political process.
Undoubtedly, more independent advocacy groups will want to speak out in the course of the 2008 campaign. But just because the FEC doesn’t have enough Commissioners to reach a quorum does not mean that campaign finance laws are off the books.
