Blogger John Bambenek ignited a powerkeg of bipartisan protests with the revelation that he had filed a FEC complaint against the owner of Daily Kos, alleging they operate as a political committee and should be subject to FEC regulation.
You can read the responses at Daily Kos, Redstate, NRO, and Instapundit; all of them quite critical.
The now retired Online Coalition (of which I as well as Redstate and Daily Kos were members) addressed this issue before the FEC in 2005 and 2006. It just so happens that I a write up on the group in the archives and (via Adam B. at Daily Kos) a link to the letter [PDF version] filed with the FEC. Mike Krempasky wonders (rightly) if Bambenek was just completely AWOL during that period; so wrongly does he attempt to rehash already plowed ground.
I wondered if he was really that misinformed or if it was all just some sort of stunt, so I set off in search of answers... In 2005 Bambenek at least pretended to understand the issue as he posted in support of the efforts of the Online Coalition. In my book that supports the theory that this is an attempt to produce some sort of political "gotcha" stunt.
While there's hardly any content produced at Daily Kos that I would agree with, I will fight for their right to publish free from onerous FEC regulation just as fiercely as I would for this site. That's been my (and many others) position since 2005 and there's nothing in the flimsy excuse for a complaint that makes me question that stance...
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Comments (7)
I think he's trying for a "... (Below threshold)1. Posted by cirby | July 25, 2007 2:12 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I think he's trying for a "who's really funding Kos?" moment.
1. Posted by cirby | July 25, 2007 2:12 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 02:12
2. Posted by Oyster | July 25, 2007 8:07 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I'm of the same mind. I think Kos' site is comprised of some the looniest of the loonies, but I also believe they should have free reign without the cumbersome regulations the FEC would burden them with, which would indeed restrict their right as private citizens to speak their minds.
They seem to me to be a collection of organized activists - not an single entity organization.
2. Posted by Oyster | July 25, 2007 8:07 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 08:07
3. Posted by C-C-G![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| July 25, 2007 10:30 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I say let Kos speak. It's good evidence of just how unhinged some of the lefties are.
Of course, if Kos is taken down, there's always WizBlue.
3. Posted by C-C-G![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| July 25, 2007 10:30 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 10:30
4. Posted by _Mike_ | July 25, 2007 12:51 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Of course, if Kos is taken down, there's always WizBlue.
The comparison is flawed. Kos has readers.
At any rate, they should keep the FEC out of it.
4. Posted by _Mike_ | July 25, 2007 12:51 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 12:51
5. Posted by Knightbrigade | July 25, 2007 6:45 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
As much as going anywhere near Kos makes me ILL, freedom of speech is mandatory!!!
Hell, I'm sometimes bothered by Jay Tea looking over my shoulder moderating.......lmao
5. Posted by Knightbrigade | July 25, 2007 6:45 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 18:45
6. Posted by Dave | July 25, 2007 8:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well, DO they violate election laws? I could care less if they are being crazy over in their insane asylum of a website, but if they are breaking laws as far as contributions go, and the FEC decides that they are, then they should pay the fines.
And if they aren't violating anything, then who cares? Let them be.
6. Posted by Dave | July 25, 2007 8:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 20:50
7. Posted by LiberalNightmare | July 25, 2007 9:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lets be honest here, the only reason the KOS kiddies havent done the exact same thing to someone on the conservative side is because they didnt think of it first.
And thats what they are really pissed about.
7. Posted by LiberalNightmare | July 25, 2007 9:16 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 25, 2007 21:16