So reports ($) BNA: “The White House has indicated that no immediate announcement of a substitute for von Spakovsky was planned. The fact that the White House is examining new FEC candidates indicated that it would not act on a suggestion from Reid to simply substitute a current Republican commissioner, David Mason, for von Spakovsky. Mason previously had been nominated by Bush for reappointment to the FEC, but that nomination was withdrawn early this month. The White House gave no reason for dropping Mason, but it was widely noted that he apparently upset Republicans by publicly questioning the actions of presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.) with regard to participation in the public campaign financing system.”