From the WSJ:
Two bastions of liberalism are discovering the nasty side of campaign finance reform now that it has landed in their own backyards.
On Sunday, a spokeswoman for the New York Times admitted it had “made a mistake” when it charged the radical group MoveOn.org a special discounted rate for an ad accusing General David Petraeus of betrayal in advance of his Congressional testimony. Meanwhile, DailyKos’s Markos Moulitsas Zuniga has faced a Federal Election Commission inquiry into advertising sales at his blog, which has become a force in pushing the Democratic Party to the left on various issues — among them, campaign finance reform.
DailyKos holds forth regularly that “our democracy is in danger” from money in politics and loudly supports McCain-Feingold and other campaign and media restrictions. The New York Times position on campaign finance reform is that it “has not gone far enough,” and that more should be done to control donors and prevent changes that would “open the spigots to corporate and special-interest money.”
Of course, it’s always other people’s influence that’s a threat to democracy. DailyKos’s misadventure was resolved with a Federal Election Commission ruling that allowed it (quite properly) to escape the rules it wants foisted on everybody else. And we certainly defend the Times’s right to sign advertising contracts at whatever price it wants to charge — without the FEC combing through its books in search of rate discrepancies.
Unfortunately, the Times’s passion for regulating everyone else’s speech has now boomeranged, with politicians calling for an investigation into its favor to MoveOn. This is getting to be a bad Times habit: Recall its campaign for a special counsel to investigate media leaks that turned into a probe of its own sources and led to judicial rulings that limited press freedom.
House Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Tom Davis (R., Va.) wants hearings on whether the MoveOn discount represented a contribution in violation of campaign finance laws, and whether those laws are actually enforceable. Mr. Davis is indulging in some partisan opportunism here, and we wish instead that he was explaining that the problem is not that these organizations slipped through some campaign finance net. The problem is the net.
The DailyKos argues that it qualifies for the “commentary” exception under McCain-Feingold, while the Times would presumably qualify under the newspaper exception. Anyone who reads either one quickly figures out that they are both stalwart supporters of the Democratic Party and liberal causes. This is their right, but it’s hard to see why their political speech deserves any more special legal protection than that of Big Labor or the NRA. As for the Times‘s ad discount, we also don’t see why it shouldn’t be as protected as the paper’s inevitable endorsement next year of Hillary Clinton for President. Won’t that be an “in-kind” political contribution worth at least a few thousand dollars?
[my emphases]
Those of us who find McCain-Feingold terrible law will, I think, find this WSJ editorial spot on. And as much as we’d enjoy watching the NYT or Daily Kos run afoul of their own policy prescriptions — BECAUSE OF THE HYPOCRISY! — it remains that by pushing for such prosecutions under McCain-Feingold, we would be legitimizing bad law, when what we should be doing is concentrating on having that bad law repealed.
And yes, I recognize that, given McCain-Feingold’s status as law, it is perfectly proper to work to uphold it, even if the motive for doing so is more opportunism than conscience or fidelity to legal principles; I just think doing so further poisons political discourse, with free speech the primary casualty.
As I wrote back when questions were first raised over the Times having potentially run afoul of FEC rules:
[…] being no supporter of McCain-Feingold myself, I’d just as soon it be informed readers  and not the government  who exact [a] price [against the Times] by canceling subscriptions, or by regularly pointing out how the Times has turned into a mouthpiece for a particular ideology.
And I stand by this.
But then, for market pressures (rather than prosecutions) to work in this way, stories of bias masquerading as “neutrality” must be publicized — which, judging by the reaction from the left (and sensible conservatives like John Cole and Glenn Greenwald) to the MoveOn.org/NYT ad story, is itself beyond the pale.
Because we all know that publicizing such stories is simply a way for the “nutters” to distract us from the mess that is Iraq.
Meaning that to some folks, the best course of action seems to be to ignore the problem altogether — or at least until such time when it aids their cause.
Other people’s politics and all that, you see…
(h/t Terry Hastings)
Seems like there could still be a shareholder suit if it’s deemed that the NYT is sacrificing revenue in furtherance of an agenda unrelated to its business interests.
One would hope that an article such as this, which actually defends the right of the NYT and Kos to be partisan shills, would put to rest those that believe that the WSJ is a right-wing noise machine.
Of course I’m not holding my breath or anything.
And what would a suit redress, happyfeet? The NYT stock is at a ten year low. The market capitalization of NYT is less than the approximate market value of the real estate that the Times is headquarted in. Which means the net market value of the their news business is…zero.
Oh. I see your point. I was just throwing that out really. Seems like shareholders have bigger issues to talk about if they went down that road. I guess the fun suit would be the one the salesguy in question might bring if he were to be held accountable for what they are calling a “mistake.” That ain’t gonna happen either.
I’m down with OPP.
Yeah, you know me.
Trying to take money out of political campaigns is like trying to take jumping out of basketball, said Bill Bradley long ago. And think how much higher players can jump now.
That song if I remember right mostly worked cause they sampled other people’s music. Synergy. That’s what I guess this is all about really.
–BECAUSE OF MY HYPOCRISY!
Oops…
I hope so, but I wonder if they will resent the article for failing to live down to their worst expectations?
Actually pushing on this law against its former supporters might be a good way to force them to change their tune, publicize what a pile of reasty goat droppings it is, and get it removed.
I wonder if they will resent the article for failing to live down to their worst expectations?
I certainly expect them to. But no matter, they will simply return to bitching about the mess that is Iraq whilst claiming to really be supporting the troops.
BECAUSE OF THE…..THE…….THE……..it’s almost not even funny anymore.
[…] might not to, I can’t help but take some admittedly perverse pleasure in that. Jeff explains what I’m talking about here quite […]
Talk of “market pressures” re: the Times, or any other similar media entity, is misplaced.
Last time I looked up the numbers, Thrasher and Nintendo Power both had more readers than the Times, and the Times has declined in the market considerably since then.
But the Times is not made for the market. No amount of reader revolt can change it, because it’s not in the business of being read.
And talk of bringing the FEC down on it is equally stupid. The government and the Times are not separate — or separable — entities. It’s the inner voice of the permanent state.
Just ignore it. It’s not talking to you anyway.
Never happen. Instead, they’ll propose a new set of “reforms” that, on the surface, tightens the regulations while, in reality, opens up new loopholes for “correct” groups.
Just ignore it. It’s not talking to you anyway.
The bum with the knife might not be talking to me, but he is holding a knife, and as such, I intend to pay attention and hope others will as well.
I believe with absolute conviction, that there is a vast left wing conspiracy to bring down Mrs. Clinton.
Giggle.
As George will said in the days before the 2004 election: “If ever there was an administration that deserved electoral sanction for its conduct of policies, it is this one. If ever there was an opposition incapable of delivering that sanction, it is this one.”
MoveOn was by all indications too cavalier and too calculating simultaneously. And the Times, well, we all knew they butter the toast with a left-handed knife.
It’s only September, folks. This is just going to get funnier.
Oh, yea, wishbone. This is going to be a veritable chucklefest. By Primary season I plan to have taken up smoking so that I’ll have lit cigarettes available to put out in my forearms and thighs.
You know, for when the whole “blowtorching my ears” thing seems passe.
BJ, you have to admit that on the unintentional comedy scale the time between the anti-war “triumph” in 2006 and now is just replete with moments only the late great Douglas Adams could have invented as fiction devices.
Jack Murtha as point man.
Harry Reid as point man.
Wes Clark showing up at the oddest moments.
Op-eds by Madeleine Albright prescribing policy options.
MoveOn being as hamfisted as the Soviets used to be at PR.
Obama and Clinton tacking on each others sound bites like a regatta.
Sean Penn (I’ll the description to your imagination.)
The Kostards stomping about when the Dems couldn’t force a pullout.
Remember this classic Adams passage: There is a theory that when we figure out the meaning of the universe, it will be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. Some believe this has already happened.
I start every day thinking they can’t top themselves. And then they go and do it.
“Seems like there could still be a shareholder suit if it’s deemed that the NYT is sacrificing revenue in furtherance of an agenda unrelated to its business interests.
Another problem: The Sulzbergers own the vast majority of the Class B voting stock.”
I wonder what Thanksgiving is gonna be like at the Sulzberger house this year? Think Pinch will have to eat at the little kids table?
wishbone:
You forgot (1) Zibgnew Bryzinski showing up to give foreign policy advice. (2) Sandy Berger re-emerging as Hillary’s national security advisor. (3) Osama bin laden (or his replicant) quoting Noam Chomsky and reading Glenn Greenwald’s book on the floor of his cave…
Of course, because the purpose of campaign finance reform is to remove corrupting (meaning “other people’s”) influences from politics.
Mikey, that Chomsky moment may be the best of all.
Noam must have been so proud.
Seriously.
Ok, Ok, you guys win!
Cindy Sheehan running for Pelosi’s seat because no one has tried to impeach Chimpemperor and his Squirrel Monkey.
Rosie redefining the physical qualities of steel.
Dennis Kucinich (‘nuf said)
Ron Paul (way too much said!)
I see the funny now!!!!!
Yeah, big chucklefest coming, especially if Iraq looks good. Imagine a sedate, friendly Iraq and Hillary trying to defend her “Let’s get the hell out” position in the face of success.
Granted, you have to take Maliki pronouncements with a grain of salt, but for what it’s worth:
Civil war has been averted in Iraq and Iranian intervention there has “ceased to exist,” Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said yesterday.
An over assessment, to be sure. But what if he’s basically right?
Jimmy Carter on foreign policy.
Nancy Pelosi, ditto.
Both of the above making Joe Biden appear…sage. (Good Lord!)
What happened to John Cole? I remember when he was reasonable.
It’s what happens when one quits trying to be right and starts trying to be hip…..or should I say nuanced?
Some people hold to positions because they are reached by critical analysis, ethical consideration, and reason. Others hold them because they are going along with the crowd, or haven’t considered anything else. Those second kind are like Andrew Sullivan and Cole.
Campaign finance regs now bear the seeds of their own destruction. Actually, they always did, but it is more apparent to more people now.
The FECA — going back to ’76 — always had a “media exemption” to keep the Act from getting struck down as violating the First Amendment (and to cultivate MSM support for the Act).
The problem with that is that the First Amendment guarantees individual rights, even when it comes to freedom “of the press” — that refers to a method, not an entity.
Having a “media exemption” puts the gov’t in charge of deciding who has speech/press rights and who does not, contrary to the First Amendment.
The Kos kerfuffle takes another step toward recognizing that individuals are the media as well, and thus entitled to the exemption.
Thus, one has to marvel in the stupidity of both the NYT and MoveOn in getting themselves into one of the few remaining areas where the regs can still bite — by exchanging money/services. The case does nicely expose the increasingly arbitrary nature of these disctinctions, and will perhaps move us closer to the day this silly stuff is junked.
“Comment by kelly on 9/25 @ 1:49 pm #
Both of the above making Joe Biden appear…sage. (Good Lord!)”
Wait, you mean to say that those things aren’t plugs?
Oh. Hold on.
You said he looks sage, not ‘he looks like sage‘.
Okay.
I know what you mean wishbone. it’s almost like the clown car isn’t big enough, but you turn your back for just a second and when you turn around, MORE CLOWNS!!! This is gonna be the bestest election , ever!!
Somebody mention Zbig showing up?
– Now take all those haha moments and picture the absolute gold mine they will provide the Reps during the election shindig, particularly if Iraq continues to stabilize.
– Hey voters of America:
– Do you want a leader who is willing to get you fired from your job if you won’t join the happy campers in the “Nanny state”?
– Do you want a Party who, and a leader, who thinks its ok to call our finest military men liars?
– Do you want a group to lead you that hates our military?
– Do you want a group that aides and abets the enemies of America, and does everything it can to obstruct the only tools we have to fight the WOT?
– etc, etc…
– The only hope the happless Dems have now is for a double miracle of the Reps nominating Ron Paul, and the entire American population suffering a sudden attack of amnesia. If the Hampsherites and KosKids take an active part in the Dems side of things, even those miracles won’t be enough.
Big Bang,
Don’t underestimate the ability (and desire) of the MSM to use its (fading but still substantial) power to control the debate and influence events in its chosen direction. After all the shrieking about how stupid Bush is, when given the opportunity to select his opponent the Democrats chose the least intelligent of the bunch. Yet he came within 100,000 or so votes of winning. And had it not been for Powerline, LGF, etc calling BS on Dan Rather he may have won.
I remind you, BB: Prediction is hard, especially about the future.
Regards,
Ric
– Oh yee of little faith, particularly in an electorate that thinks Pelosi is a NY dress designer. The biggest problem both extremes have always had is the fact that you can’t bluff the voter that hates poker, and only plays a hand because they have some vague idea that its their civic duty.
– In the end its the ability of the candidates to field that brick bats of the opposition and convince enough politically illiterate voters that the other guy/gal would be worse, and they would be worse off under that person.
– Personally, I wouldn’t want to be a Dem candidate trying to extracate themselves from the quagmire that is the lefts impulsive craziness, even with the MSM water boys on my side.
Mostly they are praying the economy goes bad I think.
The Gray Lady is now the punchline: “We know what you are madam; we’re just negotiating the price.”
America, America! God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.
Where did I make my wrong turn?
“Civil war has been averted in Iraq and Iranian intervention there has “ceased to exist,†Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said yesterday.
An over assessment, to be sure. But what if he’s basically right?”
Then I have a less dangerous tour? Allah willing and the wadi don’t rise…
– Major….No amount of friendship espirit de corp, or half off coupons for the local Burger King, will buy you absolvance from that last pun…..
“One would hope that an article such as this, which actually defends the right of the NYT and Kos to be partisan shills, would put to rest those that believe that the WSJ is a right-wing noise machine.”
That’s hilarious. But I think you mean the WSJ op-ed page. The news side is a different story. You get what you pay for with those guys.
So the NYT is in danger of running afoul of legislation that they heartily approved of and helped push through? Wasn’t Billy Jeff a big proponent of the sexual harrassment legislation that forced him into perjury? Wasn’t it Dems who passed the legislation that created the office of the Special Prosecutor? Am I detecting a pattern here? Hypocracy will whup yo’ ass if you give it enough time.
Sticky B, I think it is “Don’t outlaw behavior you do.”
Rosie redefining the physical qualities of steel.
More like she redefined the physical qualities of stool>…..
“Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted.”
– Fred Allen
I’m looking at you, Major.
What pun?! If I hand out 5 dollar Arch Cards, would people go get a Big Mac and not tar and feather me? Of course, do remember that I have access to armor and high power weaponry…
“…I have access to armor and high power weaponry….”
– Forget it? I’m counting on it when we confront jamudahamameatloafnuts at his next public lie-fest, but puns like that should leave you Hsuless in Pioria.
Big Bang – That was just bad.
Major John – Are you going to let us know where we can send care packages?
– JD – So Hsut me…..
Even worse, Big Bang. lol
Now that the Hsu is on the other foot, you can see what it feels like.
If I am able, I will try and let the PW community know where I am, and my APO. Living with the IA as I will, I am not sure if I will have any ‘net access.
Major, from what I’ve heard: see if you can find an “access point” that runs off USB. Wireless is often available, but you sometimes have to move the antenna around, which you can’t do if it’s built into the laptop. A separate access point, like they sometimes give you in hotels, can be moved around for best reception.
Regards,
Ric
In all serious, Major, don’t get your ass shot up over there.
And get a USB or PCMCIA wireless adapter that you can add an additional antenna to… you can get some fairly high-gain antennas without spending too much money. Some of the directional “cantenna”-style units have made 802.11b connections over miles.
Comment by Merovign on 9/26 @ 11:46 am #
In all serious, Major, don’t get your ass shot up over there.
Yeah. Be safe.
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