by James Oliphant
The nation's election watchdog sits paralyzed—unable to meet, give advice, fashion new rules or open investigations, even as the most intense presidential campaign in recent memory rages on.
The six-seat Federal Election Commission is down to two functioning members, two short of a quorum. Three potential commissioners await confirmation by the Senate, trapped in a cold war between Democrats and Republicans over one of the nominees, whom civil rights groups accuse of hostility to minority voters. The last seat does not even have a White House nominee.
There is little sign that the impasse will be resolved any time soon. And the clock is ticking. The Senate will be in session for about three more months before the national nominating conventions this summer.
Key issues risk going unaddressed, including whether presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke campaign laws by abandoning public financing and accepting private contributions without FEC approval. Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has said at various times that he would accept public financing for the general election, but his campaign has not committed to that, drawing criticism from McCain.
"This situation has a substantial impact on parties and candidates who want to comply with the law," said Michael Toner, a former FEC chairman.
The sticking point is a former Justice Department official named Hans von Spakovsky, whose work in the voting-rights section of the department has prompted Democrats to block his nomination.
Von Spakovsky, a Republican, was nominated by President Bush more than two years ago and served as an acting FEC commissioner since then before having to leave at the end of last year because he has not been confirmed.
Read the rest of the story at chicagotribune.com.
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Comments
Pretty typical, democrats using procedural maneuvers to deny nominees. Tell me Dems, did this nominee who you say is "hostile to minority voters" ever call two black children "monkeys?"
Hypocrites.
Thanks for finally admitting this in a swamp post, Jim. You're already a lot better at showing the facts than Rank James
"Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has said at various times that he would accept public financing for the general election, but his campaign has not committed to that."
Posted by: Jeff "Hussein" | April 9, 2008 10:38 AM
Does a President have a right to nominate a stooge, be he a "blind ideologue" or incompetent? Yes, he does. Does our Congress have the right to advice and consent, reject if they deem it appropriate, any nominee?Yes, our Congress has that right and that duty!
That is what compromise is all about, now, if some one would just inform the Republicans about this idea. One foreign to their ideology and so the American people pay the severe price. Vote Democrat and help America!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 9, 2008 11:02 AM
The Clinton campaign MUST have a good ground game to monitor future primary votes. What happened earlier in the primary season must not be allowed to occur again.
Her masterful, economical questioning of Petraeus yesterday has hemmed in this criminal entrprise in Iraq such that the viable peace plan possibly being discussed MUST now be brought before Congress for consideration before the Bushies push blindly ahead. The notion that ANYONE in her situation could have voted against the plan from the start and done anything but shoot themselve sin the foot (while not stopping the war drums and actions) is ludicrous.
Sen. Obama was rambling yesterday. Hilary was coherent, and effective.
I do hope the Senator will soon become a great veep candidate and we can see begin a mature campaign season as the republican opponents will require all of our vigilance to defeat once and for all.
Posted by: golden oldie | April 9, 2008 11:23 AM
We need to google-bomb "waffles" and Barack Obama.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/obama-prepares.html
Posted by: Jeff | April 9, 2008 2:46 PM