FEC Comments

Bob Bauer, at More Soft Money Hard Law, has excerpts from the actual comments of individual FEC Commissioners on the draft rules proposed on internet regulation. They are quite instructive, as they provide insight into exactly what each commissioner who shared his or her thoughts on the matter truly believes, published rhetoric notwithstanding. With the exception of Commissioner Weintraub (she of "chill out!" infamy), most of the commission seem, at least publicly, to be sympathetic to the plight of bloggers, if undecided as to what extent they should or should not to act on their sympathies.

Reading this has also convinced me still more of one thing. Brad Smith is a hero who deserves the gratitude of everybody who values free speech. The guy is implacable, and rightly so.

This is far from over. Stay tuned.