The AP reports that the FEC is now allowing third-party political advertisements “that name candidates in the days before elections.” This change is because of a June Supreme Court decision that declared the restrictions unconstitutional.
This is America. And to think McCain-Feingold actually made it a federal crime to name a candidate in an ad within 60 days of an election (30 days for primaries) – unless the ad came from a candidate’s official campaign. Or as Ed Crane put it, no criticizing incumbents!
This is a welcome change in FEC policy, but there are still some undue speech restrictions. The ads may only run “provided the overall message is a call to action on a public policy issue.” Two steps forward, one step back, I guess.
Remember the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech.”
Inertia Wins! 