A Few Comments on the Thompson FEC Matter

I've been reviewing some of the blog posts and mainstream media coverage of the FEC Complaint against Fred Thompson's illegal campaign activities. So, I wanted to comment on a few things.

First, credit for this really goes to the progressive blogosphere for their great research on this issue. Without their work, I would not have realized the extent of the violations nor had the information that was assembled to create the complaint.

Second, the complaint is on solid legal ground. Holly Bailey of Newsweek gives her analysis on MSNBC, courtesy of Crooks and Liars. The New York Sun editorial board, which is known to be somewhat conservative, also agreed that the complaint is valid. The final example I'll give is from Bob Bauer, an author and scholar on election law matters. He agrees that the complaint is thorough in its content. There are many more examples that have been published on blogs, in newspapers, on internet websites, and been broadcast on radio and television. Ultimately, the Federal Election Commission will decide. For now, I'm confident in the complaint and believe that the preponderance of public opinion is as well.

Also, some of the writings say that once Thompson announces his candidacy, this will all go away. That is incorrect. In a conversation with officials at the FEC today, they confirmed what I already believed. By announcing and registering his campaign committee, it does not undo the illegal activity already committed. He is still obligated to respond to the FEC complaint and the FEC is still obligated to act on the complaint and render a decision.

Finally, I'd like to thank the active participation of folks from both sides of the political spectrum in discussing this in the comment thread at News for the Left and here at HuffPo. It honors me to have the supportive comments as well as the hateful ones. Yall are the best!

Comments

[DemandTruth]

Funny, the MSM has dismissed this issue and devolved this story into another regressive right propaganda talking point:

Is the Left afraid of Fred Thompson?

Well, I say nope. We just don't think a man who breaks the law while running for president should be chosen for president or presents a very good example for our country. Duh.

[rwt1138]

Has Thompson made a statement yet? Let me make some predictions:

dismissal:
"Well, I reckon some folks have got nothin' better to do than to stir up trouble for other folks what're trying to get something done. some folks just got too much time and not enough sense."

or how about

small government:
"This here is an example of just the sort of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo that's why so many folks don't like big government: It gets in the way of good people trying to do good things."

or maybe his fallback

incomprehensible "folksiness":
"some folks can't tell the difference between a horned toad and a hornswoggle. I figure any fella with a bee in his bonnet is probably not worth two shakes of a calf's tail in the long run."

[jazzman]

Thanks to the blogs? He didn't say thanks to the traditional media? the NYTimes? The Washington Post? ABC, CBS, or NBC? I think I know why.

What do you think is the chance that Fred Thompson's violations would have come to light if those media were the only ones controlling the informaton? Doe the words, "chance of an ice cube in hell" mean anything to you?

Let's hear it for the blogosphere. It is the unexpected reality that has kept the corporate fascists of this nations from seizing total control of the information flow. Hope Lane wins the law suit too.

[CrimsonTom]

Cheers, Lane! Thanks for making a difference. A $1M fine will save us at least one cycle of odious and dishonest campaign commercials.

[Balloonman]

what did THOMPSON do wrong? What illegal activities. I know, I'm slow, but I reread LANE's piece over and over and no mention WHAT he did wrong?

[Janco54]

This is a follow-up piece. Click on Lane's name and go to his previous one. That has all the facts.

[ArmandAllegro]

Thanks.

[RevMetheus]

short answer: he raised WAY over the amount an undeclared candidate can raise in the "feeling out" process, also using that money for political websites geared toward his candidacy.

even shorter answer: check out Lane Hudson's other blogs on this matter.

[jackejett]

Lane

Thanks for the good work ...and a big thanks for giving a not to the blogosphere.

jack jett
www.yabbadabbahubbado.com

[FrankieD]

There is a continuing speculation as to why Thompson is delaying his formal entry. NBC announced some time back that they would no longer run reruns of Law and Order episodes with him in it once he was a formal candidate.Conundrum solved . Its all about money and residual payments. How typically Republican.

[suki21693]

And TV facetime. Every week he appears as the very voice of reason in a very scripted television program. I sure he knows that his staged performance is better than any he could give in a true public forum debate.

[Uselessboy]

Is there really any penalty for this kind of thing? I mean even before Bushco.

[bigirlsdontcry]

Great work Lane. You bagged the elephant in the room!

[yathink]

I see we already have a dittohead here. Can't even compliment Lane for his persuit of the facts (and clarifying the legalities even further) without some 25 percenter holding forth. Strange country--Karl is proud I am sure.

Thanks Lane. This is very informative and useful.

[mrsbigg]

Way to be Lane. You're tenaciously focused on your facts and research so as to provide credible information while equally generous sharing credit. Keep up the effective efforts.

[MyManJones]

I am a strong supporter of Fred. I see this as a ho hum issue. Of course the media will act as though it is a fatal flaw if Fred does not prevail.

Fred, through his extended decision process has saved donors millions of dollars. Unlike Romney who blows two million of donors money on a meaningless straw poll in Iowa, Fred has known he had plenty of time to spend money. His concern is can he win?

I would say at this point he is concerned about Rudy, a vicious competitor with a very large spending capacity.

This is not a race where a strong second place has any value at all. One is better off not running than be an Al Gore and Fred is so aware of Mr. Gore.

He is looking pretty good but a damn site far from being an assured winner. The suit itself will bring useful publicity and polarize against those who have been pounding Fred with every black thought they can muster.

It won't hurt him, as intended. Just the reverse.

Don Jones
MyManFred.com

[Rand]

Wow! A supporter who supports! What a shocker!

I support John Edwards, but if he was accused of committing a campaign law violation I'd like to see it investigated and, if he did it, I'd want to see him penalized... And he'd almost certainly lose my support

Nice to know that breaking the law is OK in your book!

[Lisette]

.
Dear MyManJones,

You are not correct on why Thompson is stalling.
He is ill prepared for one thing, and the real reason he is stalling is to avoid the debates. He knows he can't debate--he can't talk. He is dumber than dirt.

[yellowdogSC]

MyManJones(Don),

Would it be possible for you to respond to my questions, posted as comments on: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marvin-kitman/a-republican-speaks-out-a_b_61333.html

As you say, no one can know the truth unless they are as close to the man as you are.

Thank you VERY much.

[maddogbitesback]

Some people don't mind viting for crooks and liars. They buy into lies that they want to believe. Fred is a nothing. A true nebbish with a painful history,.

[OrvilleHLarson]

"K Street Fred" Thompson's a bought-and-paid for, lying Washington shyster. Like all D.C. Beltway crooks, he doesn't know which end is up anymore.

Dr. Ron Paul for President.

[Jeff Prior]

Great job, Lane. Keep up the good work.