A breakthrough at the FEC?

by James Oliphant

The Federal Election Commission, crippled by the lack of a quorum, may be finally headed toward some functionality--just in time for the November general election.

The White House Thursday nominated Matthew Petersen, currently the Republican counsel on the Senate Rules Committee to fill the last of four vacant slots.

Petersen's nomination comes a week after controversial FEC nominee Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official who Democrats say actively worked to suppress minority voting rights, withdrew from consideration. Von Spakovsky was central to an impasse between Republicans and Democrats that resulted in five of the six seats on the commission going unfilled.

"The White House acted quickly in nominating Matthew Petersen to fill the sixth and final slot on the Federal Elections Commission," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement Thursday. "This prompt action provides a path toward seating a fully functioning, bipartisan commission. I appreciate the promise of the Majority Leader for a speedy review of Mr. Petersen's record and look forward to his swift and successful confirmation."

President Bush earlier this month reworked his previous nominations to the FEC, replacing former chairman David Mason. Mason had entered into a dispute with the campaign of John McCain over its decision to withdraw from the program that provides a candidate with federal matching funds.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office suggested Mason was sacked because of his independence. But then later praised the withdrawal of von Spakovsky, expressing hope that the full slate of nominees could now be voted on by the Senate.