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March 25, 2005

As ITA works to unearth the truth surrounding alleged "GOP" talking points, my friend Mike Krempasky is leading an even more significant investigation into the Federal Election Commission's proposed rules for internet activity. ITA offered a summary of recent events yesterday at this post, and CNET offers an even better summary here. But today at his group weblog RedState.Org, Krempasky outlines shocking proposals from the FEC's first draft obtained exclusively by RedState. These documents preceed what became public yesterday, and reveal insight into the FEC's mindset.

The proposed rules would apply to all internet activity except that with "limited distribution" or with password-protected sites. Emails to more than 500 people in 30 days would also trigger FEC regulation. Krempasky rightly called it a "regulatory minefield" for bloggers. The final draft is a bit tamer, but still horribly intrusive. Worse, the whole charade demonstrates the extent to which McCain-Feingold legislation permits the FEC to go. Even if their rules this round aren't all that burdensome, the potential remains. Freedom-loving citizens have cause for alarm, and now is the time to protest.

Others covering the FEC regulation: Captain Ed, Patterico, Professor Bainbridge, Polipundit, Wizbang, and La Shawn Barber.

Posted by Joshua Claybourn at March 25, 2005 12:00 AM

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