FEC Looks to Clarify Rules Prior to Primaries

FEC LOOKS TO CLARIFY RULES PRIOR TO PRIMARIES
The Federal Election Commission is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to redefine electioneering communications. The FEC proposed two options, Draft A and Draft B, to square the rules with a Supreme Court decision. Draft A would carve out an exemption from the "electioneering communications" rules to allow corporations and unions to directly fund issue ads on TV and radio in the 30 days before a primary or 60 days prior to a general election. This reworking would also permit those ads to mention federal candidates so long as the ads can be interpreted as addressing an issue rather trying to elect or defeat a candidate. Draft B would redefine prohibited "electioneering communications" to exclude such ads entirely. The distinction is vital to broadcasters (the restrictions do not apply to print ads), advertisers and advocacy groups. Which one it picks could mean millions of dollars for broadcasters.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6501984.html?rssid=193
* Read FEC's draft final rules:
http://www.fec.gov/agenda/2007/mtgdoc07-76.pdf