Assailed FEC Nominee Throws In The Towel

Bush's Choice For Election Commission Post Withdraws In Face Of Continued Democratic Opposition

(AP)  President Bush's contentious nominee for the Federal Election Commission removed his name from consideration Friday, potentially ending a lengthy stalemate that had paralyzed the work of the agency.

Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official who never had Democratic support to win confirmation, withdrew his nomination, saying it was time for the protracted deadlock to end.

Mr. Bush "reluctantly accepted" von Spakovsky's request, the White House said.

Democrats have objected to von Spakovsky's tenure at Justice, where he oversaw voting rights matters. The standoff has held up other Senate confirmations to the six-member FEC, which is without a quorum and has been unable to conduct business.

In a letter to Mr. Bush, von Spakovsky said the long-stalled process has been extremely hard on his family. "And quite frankly, we do not have the financial resources to continue to wait until this matter is resolved," he wrote.

He added: "The agency that is tasked with policing our campaign finance system needs to be operational during a presidential election year. The opposition to my nomination (however unfair) is preventing that from happening."

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., welcomed von Spakovsky's withdrawal. Democrats have charged that von Spakovsky tried to suppress voter participation through new restrictions such as voter identification laws and voter roll purges.

"Democrats stood united in their opposition to von Spakovsky because of his long and well-documented history of working to suppress the rights of minorities and the elderly to vote," Reid said. "He was not qualified to hold any position of trust in our government."

Senate Republicans, however, argued that a recent Supreme court ruling upholding a strict Indiana voter identification law vindicated von Spakovsky's stance on the issue.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky blamed Democrats for obstructing what he called "a highly-qualified nominee to the FEC."

"Once again, liberal interest groups did their best to manufacture controversy and, once again, Senate Democrats played along," McConnell said in a statement.

Mr. Bush sent the Senate a new slate of FEC nominees this month, retaining von Spakovsky but withdrawing the nomination of FEC Chairman David Mason.

Mason had clashed in the past with presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

The Senate could vote on the remaining four nominees awaiting confirmation or wait until Mr. Bush nominates a replacement for von Spakovsky. The commission consists of six members - three from each party. It takes four votes on the commission to act, meaning that even with a 3-2 advantage, Democrats would need one Republican to avoid a deadlock.

The FEC has unfinished business before it, including final action on regulations governing candidate air travel as well as new rules on lobbyist fundraisers and joint advertising by national parties and federal candidates.

Also pending is action on McCain's decision to bypass public matching funds during the primary. Mason had informed McCain that he needed commission approval before withdrawing. Without a quorum, the FEC was unable to act. Mason also said McCain needed to explain the terms of a loan he obtained before he won the early primaries.

Richard L. Hasen, a law professor at the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said the most important action by the FEC is a "non-controversial and ministerial act" - approving requests for public financing by presidential candidates. McCain is expected to ask for the $84 million available this year for the general election.

"It would be a terrible situation for a candidate wanting to get public financing to not be able to get it," Hasen said.

[ouronlyhope]

First the FEC is unable to make a ruling on McCain%u2019s illegal campaign financing situation because four of its six seats are vacant.

If the seats on the commission were filled---which, they are SUPPOSED TO BE---then the FEC would have to make a ruling on the McCain campaign financing situation!

So, we can see that they are purposefully being left vacant to ensure a non-ruling! If this is not the case, then the solution is obvious---fill the posts!

If the court refuses to allow the suit to go forward, it''s sufficient evidence to the public that the presidency, Congress, govt agencies, and especially the Courts are choosing to no longer operate under the law and there''s no reason why the public should acknowledge their authority over us!!

[stn_sage]

Posted by OurOnlyHope at 06:16 PM : May 17, 2008
-------------------------------------------------
My response: I wrote a post VERY similiar to this 3-4 weeks ago. You didn''t happen to see it, did you?

[wogerwabbit]

We will not be ruled by would be kings and a monied aristocracy. To subvert the Constitution is treason. Are you willing to pay the toll?

[sgtrds-e4]

If the court refuses to allow the suit to go forward, it''''s sufficient evidence to the public that the presidency, Congress, govt agencies, and especially the Courts are choosing to no longer operate under the law and there''''s no reason why the public should acknowledge their authority over us!!

Posted by OurOnlyHope at 06:16 PM : May 17, 2008

I don''t.

[sparks224]

"...the presidency, Congress, govt agencies, and especially the Courts are choosing to no longer operate under the law..."
Posted by OurOnlyHope

If we operate under the law, the Terrorists will win!
911 changed everything!
Haven''t you heard.

[stn_sage]

If we operate under the law, the Terrorists will win!
911 changed everything!
Haven''''t you heard.
Posted by sparks224 at 11:53 PM : May 17, 2008
-------------------
My response:

First, what terrorists are these? The ones this administration insinuated were all over America prepared to do bad things? Since 911, there has not been so much as ONE legitimate terrorist caught doing anything!!

Second, Democracy is ABOUT the rule of law, do away with it or suspend it, we''re no longer a democracy!
By advocating operating outside the law, you''re advocating doing away with democracy! If we do that, any terrorists outside the U.S. will in fact win.

Third, NO! 911 didn''t change EVERYTHING! Such thinking has been used by the Bush administration to violate national and international law!

Fourth, because you evidently accept at face value as fact what you are told by the Bush admin, doesn''t mean everyone else does, should or will! Haven''t YOU heard?

Finally, because you''re evidently a Rep party hack, don''t expect other people to be! And, you can fear-
monger if you like, but most people are long past responding to it at this point.

[obamaslady]

OurOnlyHope, you said it ALL so well - Amen! While McSame has enjoyed the luxury over some years of being well thought of re campaign financing legislation, it now appears that he is his own worst enemy since he does not want to abide by those very laws and that is exactly why they have left this FEC post vacant. I hope the American public understands this point and makes certain he is NOT elected. And I couldn''t agree with you more in that if our government chooses not to operate under the law then I see no reason to acknowledge them or their authority over me. They simply should NOT expect to have it both ways.

[broncfan1661]

From what I read in this article, it looks like each party is jockying for position. The dems could vote on the other 4 nominees but choose to hold up the whole show until things go their way. And Bush is definitely playing to that by only nominating candidates who the democrats will not approve.

[sparks224]

stn_sage
I was being sarcastic.
I was pointing out the fact that if we throw away our principles, like the rule of law for example, we are no better than the terrorists.

This is why the world no longer respects the American government.

So many Americans are willing to say "I don''t care about Law, I don''t care about Principles, I don''t care about right or wrong, just keep me safe!" These people have no courage and no faith. What are they teaching their children?

[stn_sage]

stn_sage
I was being sarcastic
Posted by sparks224 at 12:13 PM : May 18, 2008
-------------
My response: Good. Some people would write what you
wrote and be serious about meaning it. Unfortunately.

[sjc_1]

It is their record of behavior and ideology that is to be examined. If their ideology says do nothing, then their behavior will reflect that. When these people are rejected, the people nominating them will say that they were "good people" and should have been confirmed. "Good people" might mean that they are loyal to their appointers and would do anything to please them, even if it is wrong and harms the country.

[david1737]

I ask all Americans to google the Keating 5/S&L scandal.

McCain/Bush and his family were all over this and it cost the American tax payer over $1.4 trillion dollars!

It stems from deregulation of the S&Ls.

Do some research.

[kansas1946]

Another Bush lackey, down the tubes. Yea!!

[parrot123-2009]

Okay .......

[kansas1946]

Poor Bush. He just can''t win at anything.