The ACU files an FEC complaint against MoveOn.org and the NYT
The Old, Gray, Drunk Lady ought to sober up
By Mark Kilmer Posted in Breaking News — Comments (13) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I don't know that this has hit the pop media as yet, but a press release tells me that the American Conservative Union (ACU) "has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against MoveOn.org Political Action and the New York Times Company for violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971," as modified by 2002's BCRA.
On Monday, September 10, 2007, MoveOn sponsored a full page advertisement in the New York Times attacking General David Petraeus prior to his report to Congress regarding the status of the United States military operations in Iraq. The open rate for a full page black and white advertisement in the New York Times is $181,692. MoveOn only paid $65,000 for the ad, according to multiple press reports.
The New York Times Company’s “discount” is in effect a corporate soft money contribution to a federal political committee. MoveOn’s acceptance of this corporate soft money contribution exceeds federal contributions and is a clear violation of FEC laws.
Now, I'm well aware that some would be embarrassed by such a suit, because…
The New York Post reported that The New York Times charges a higher rate, $181,692, setting up erroneous reports that MoveOn got a "lefty" discount. But the higher price is for ads guaranteed to run on a specific day, said New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis.
I'm sure the ACU lawyers have looked into that and have a counter-answer set.
Read On…
Redstate's Erick Erickson makes the point on my mind:
How kind of the Times to make sure they had an open slot on the day Petraeus's testimony ran so MoveOn could make its ad more timely.
Review the books.
“ACU demands a full and thorough investigation of the cost of the Ad and the discount given by the New York Times Company to MoveOn.org Political Action, for payment by MoveOn of the usual and normal charge for the costs of the Ad and the requisite civil money penalty for violation of federal law by each of the Respondents,” ACU Chairman David A. Keene stated in the FEC complaint.
We shall see what the FEC has to say.
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The ACU files an FEC complaint against MoveOn.org and the NYT 13 Comments (0 topical, 13 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
NO
______________________________
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
There are few conservatives that actually buy the rag, so why not? Once again it is an ad. My favorite conservative talk radio station here takes ads from whacko lib groups. They are in business to make money. The value of giving MoveOn a discount probably made up for itself in sales of their newspaper.
I don't have the sales stats, but I cannot think why a newspaper with that ad in it would sell more than it would without it. You did not need the newspaper to see the ad, and if you found the ad to be awful and insane -- a bipartisan opinion -- you would not want it.
It might have worked for MoveOn.org, though, if their more rabid donors were turned on by it.
to charge candidates book rates, but rather, a matter of enforcing current laws.
During the 2006 elections, many major newspapers had told their salespeople that, based on federal laws, they could give no discounts to rate card prices for political or advocacy advertising. You cannot discount to one group because you agree with its views and not to another group with whom you disagree.
I understand that Freedoms Watch plans to run a response to the NYT Move-on ad and is going to demand the same rate card discount.
it looks like they succeeded.
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.”
-Ronald Reagan
I'm betting that they won't give Freedom's Watch the same discount for a full page ad in response to Move-on. As it is, they placed a full page ad on 9-11 and paid significantly more than Move-on. Granted that an ad might cost more on 9-11, but I'm also betting that if Move-on's ad was on 9-11, they still would have paid less.
they wont give them the same discount. They'll charge more. More money for them. They win.
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.”
-Ronald Reagan
... this FEC complaint filed by the ACU are the Republican candidates Rudy, Fred, and McCain jumping into the fray. Rudy especially seems ready and willing to mix it up with the Dems, particularly Hillary. That is something I do really like about Rudy. I want a nominee who can go toe to toe with the "always at war" Dems. Rudy has a bit of that "junkyard dog" thing that is refreshing after almost 7 years of Bush (whom I like) being Mr. Nice guy.
As Dennis Miller has said... "Rudy is just coming into his prime killing years!".... LOL!!
Jack
Months? Years? Eons?
Can Dems on the FEC stonewall this?
"Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?" (Macaulay)
Hi,
Thought this news might be of some interest to your readers:
NEW moveon.org TV ad coming out on monday sept 17th...basically calling president bush a traitor.
Catch it here:
MoveOn.org TV Ad
For general david betray us fans or not:
General David Betray Us
Have a great weekend!
Steve
Can you think of a better ad for them to give a discount to from the aspect of selling newspapers? I bet this one edition sold more than most others of recent times.
I would guess that would be an easy response to this challenge. Do we really want to force all media outlets to charge all of the candidates, etc. book rates for media access? This could easily be a lawsuit with unintended consequences.