"Improve McCain-Feingold"

The LA Times offers this editorial about the argument in the WRTL case from earlier this week. (My substantive posts on the argument are here and here). A snippet from the editorial: "It seems likely that Roberts will join the majority in ruling that McCain-Feingold's ban on 'phony issue ads' was used improperly against the Wisconsin ad. Such a salutary outcome would clear the way for a Federal Election Commission ruling making it clear that similar ads are allowed, even if they mention a candidate and attempt to influence an election." This is certainly a defensible position to take, but we should be clear about what this means: it means essentially an end to limits on corporate electioneering paid for by corporate treasury funds. McCain Feingold would be mostly a limit on party contributions.

For a different viewpoint from the Times, see this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial. Meanwhile, the Capital Times offers Campaign Finance Case Hinges on Alito's Vote.

Posted by Rick Hasen at April 27, 2007 08:40 AM