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Advocacy Blog
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Could there be a Functioning FEC in the Near Future?
President Bush announced the nomination of three new members for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) which could possibly resolve the current impasse facing the six member agency. An inability to confirm nominees has left the FEC without a quorum, and with only two commissioners, "the agency [is] paralyzed in the midst of a heated presidential campaign."
And the nominees include Democrat Cynthia Bauerly and Republicans Donald McGahn and Caroline Hunter. Ellen Weintraub would remain on the commission as a holdover and the nomination of Steven Walther also is pending before the Senate. Opposition to the controversial nomination of Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official, has continued the FEC stalemate and President Bush refuses to remove his nomination. However, according to the New York Times, "Republican officials were now willing to allow each of the nominees to be voted upon separately"
David Mason, the current Republican chairman, was not renominated. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said; "A full commission was virtually assured if the White House maintained its own Republican nomination of David Mason, who was cleared for confirmation. By abandoning Mr. Mason and instead sticking by Mr. von Spakovsky, the White House has abandoned experience and independence for partisan loyalty. That is the White House's choice. It is a regrettable one. Nonetheless, we will work towards the confirmation of the remaining nominees and expect to defeat Mr. von Spakovsky."
As Bob Bauer notes, "It is not hard, on these facts, to make out the politics." Mason indicated previously that John McCain may not be eligible to withdraw from the presidential primary public financing system. The situation is described with this blog's title, "Throwing FEC Commissioner Mason Under the Bus to Help Senator McCain?" which predicts, "that Republicans ultimately allow separate votes. They need the FEC to approve Sen. McCain's expected request for public financing in the general election portion of the campaign. They need that more than the Democrats now need a functioning FEC."
Posted by Amanda Adams
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