Anti-Abortion Group - Real Truth About Obama - Seeks Exemption From Election Restrictions

[Median Democrat]

Well, I guess the anti-abortion activists recognize that they are withing striking distance of overturning Roe v. Wade, so they are going all out against Obama:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

A group of anti-abortion activists wants to run ads against Barack Obama.
RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — A group purporting to tell the "real truth" about Barack Obama's views on abortion wants a judge to rule it is not subject to federal election restrictions on fundraising and advertising.

The Real Truth About Obama Inc., a group formed by anti-abortion activists, is trying to establish a Web site and air radio ads. But the group's attorney says his clients fear they will be prosecuted for breaking federal rules that restrict fundraising and advertising by political action committees, or PACs.

The Richmond-based group argues it is not a PAC because it would be talking about an issue, not advocating Obama's defeat or election.

U.S. District Judge James Spencer has scheduled a September 10 hearing on a motion seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the Federal Election Commission and Justice Department from imposing the restrictions.

* * *

The Real Truth About Obama wants to post ads on its Web site and on the Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity talk shows in key states during the "electioneering communication" blackout period 60 days before the general election. The ad features an "Obama-like voice" saying he would make taxpayers pay for all abortions, ensure minors' abortions are concealed from their parents, appoint more liberal Supreme Court justices and legalize the late-term procedure that abortion opponents call "partial-birth" abortion.

A spokeswoman for Obama's campaign declined to respond to the organization's proposed ad. Obama supports abortion rights.

/snip

[madeline_con]

1. True Repugs. They want to circumvent the law.

The sad part is, they probably will. I hope someone can counter the ads using the same rules this crew is bending.

[americanstranger]

3. You gotta admire the block-headed determination of such a move.

Or maybe not. :)

I don't think they'll get very far with this. It would set a precedent that would set off a free-for-all of advocacy ads, many of them by orgs with tax-exempt status. It would be tacit destruction of the Separation of Church and State. The lawsuits would fly, the courts would be bogged down, and the level of shite passing for campaign ads would choke the airwaves.

I think even Senator Campaign Reform would have a hard time trying to let this one slide, and I'd be willing to bet that some Constitutional lawyers will weigh in pretty heavily on this.

- as

[madeline_con]

5. I hope cooler heads prevail and take all this into consideration. eom

[americanstranger]

6. You and me both.

You gotta think that any judge not named Clarence Thomas would see the danger of granting this petition.

- as

[Faygo Kid]

2. Oh good grief. Bunch of whacko haters. Judge Spencer appointed by Reagan.

He's also African-American. And was the judge in the BlackBerry patent infringement case. I don't know anything else about him.

There just can't be any way this group will prevail, even in front of a Reagan appointee.

[SheilaT]

4. My response to anti-abortion people

is to tell them that if they don<'t believe in abortion don't have one.[br />
And do everything possible to make sure that there's very little demand for abortion: readily available birth-control, sex education, pre-natal support for all women, readily available and affordable child care. Whatever it takes to support pregnant women and their children.