Air America: Just One Long Campaign Ad
Media Blog
Stephen Spruiell Reporting
10/26
Former FEC chairman Bradley A. Smith and professor John R. Lott, Jr. have written an op-ed for the Washington Times that exposes the hypocrisy of big Democrat donors who worked to pass McCain-Feingold, then poured millions into ventures like MoveOn.org and Air America:
<<< It's hardly a coincidence that Air America debuted in time for the 2004 presidential campaign or that the bankruptcy filing was put off long enough so that creditors actions won't stop broadcasts before the Nov. 7 election. As if the willingness to lose money weren't already obvious, over a year ago the network started asking listeners to donate money to keep the programs on the air.
Air America merely follows a grand tradition of circumvention by the very people who have supported campaign-finance regulation. George Soros donated millions to help pass McCain-Feingold, but was quick to work around it so that his big dollars could keep flowing. During the 2004 presidential campaign, Mr. Soros was prohibited from giving money directly to his preferred candidate, Howard Dean, so he gave $15 million to MoveOn.org so that it could raise the money for Mr. Dean.
The big innovation for Air America was using the bankruptcy laws to turn non-Democrats into involuntary campaign donors. Not only are Democratic "investors" out in the cold, but landlords, limo services, law firms, stations that sold Air America air time and state governments are owed money. Apparently, the network still owes the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club, a New York City program for poor kids, a whopping $875,000 — money that was transferred from the club by its former director. But even while these people are being stiffed, since the bankruptcy Air America's founders brazenly announced they are starting a new left-wing radio network. >>>
The authors write that this state of affairs has left us with two choices: deregulate the system or extend restrictions to the press. Faced with such alternatives, maybe the editorial boards of the major newspapers will finally wake up and realize how mistaken they've been about this issue.
media.nationalreview.com
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