OK, one final word about “web videos” and McCain-Feingold.
Yesterday, we talked about the loophole that allows campaigns (specifically the Bush campaign) to create ads that look like TV commercials that are broadcast exclusively online. McCain-Feingold mandates all TV and radio campaign ads feature some kind of “I approve this message” tagline, but because these videos are only shown over the ‘net, they apparently don’t have to include the phrase.
If Congress wants the law to extend to online campaign ads, lawmakers will have to go back and pass another law. Fortunately, that’s exactly what some members of the Senate are trying to do.
Yesterday, two senators who don’t usually agree on much unveiled a measure to extend the regulations to a variety of media untouched by the existing McCain-Feingold provisions.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., unveiled legislation Thursday that would require federal political candidates to take responsibility for the content of their print newspaper ads, bulk mail, e-mail messages, Web videos and prerecorded phone calls that directly refer to the candidate’s opponent.
Wyden had worked with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to get the TV and radio requirement enacted because they thought the public should know who is behind attack ads.
Their “Stand By Your Ad” provision went into effect last November, requiring candidates for federal office to appear in their paid television and radio ads, identify themselves and tell voters that they approved the message.
Since then, however, Wyden said candidates have learned how to “exploit the power of the Internet” and that “the meanest political messages” have appeared online where the “Stand By Your Ad” requirement doesn’t apply.
I think closing the loophole is a good idea, but I don’t think the legislation will be going anywhere soon. Getting Congress to approve the existing regulations was a Herculean task in the first place; getting approval from House Republicans who don’t like campaign reform anyway will be next to impossible.
Moreover, even if the bill were somehow passed quickly, it’d require Bush’s signature. Since he apparently likes the loophole, I don’t see him jumping at the chance.