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In reply to the discussion: Kucinich Announces ‘Game Changing’ Constitutional Amendment to Publicly Finance Federal Elections [View all]onenote
(42,715 posts)Section 2. No expenditures shall be permitted in support of any candidate for Federal office, or in opposition to any candidate for Federal office, from any other source, including the candidate. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to abridge the freedom of the press.
Does this mean that if you or I make a home made sign supporting our candidate and take it to a rally or post it in our front yard that we've violated the law by making an "expenditure" in support of a candidate?
And exactly how broad is the exception that protects freedom of the press? What constitutes the press and how does one distinguish it from others who engage in speech (even when engaging in that speech involves an expenditure of funds by way of buying paper and ink to make a sign or driving around in a truck with a microphone saying Vote for....)?
The concept of federally funded elections is something I wholeheartedly support. But at the same time, I recognize that there are considerable difficulties in moving from concept to reality.