Tuesday, March 4, 2014

War on U.S. Constitution Update: Oppressive, authoritarian-minded democratic candidates for R.I. governor to discuss suppressing ‘super PAC’ spending

03/04/2014


PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island’s three major Democratic candidates for governor are weighing a compromise drafted by Common Cause Rhode Island that calls for limiting campaign spending by so called “super PACs” and other deep-pocketed special interest groups.
John Marion, executive director of the local good government group, distributed the proposal to the campaigns of state General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and newcomer Clay Pell on Monday.
The campaigns are set to meet Wednesday afternoon at Common Cause’s Providence office to potentially agree on the terms.
The proposal comes after the campaigns have met twice in sessions facilitated by Common Cause to seek an agreement that would effectively penalize candidates who receive advertising support from individuals or organizations outside their campaign’s direct control.
Marion’s proposal defines “advertisement” as “broadcast (including television and radio), cable, satellite, online (web), all direct mail, billboards, print ads.”
But on Wednesday they will again discuss whether or not other forms of campaign support should also be included in the deal.
Those are: “literature, yard signs, paid phone calls (e.g. phone banks, “robo calls”, etc.), paid canvassing operations and paid GOTV [Get Out The Vote] efforts.”
Marion’s proposal also names Vanderbilt Law School Professor Ganesh Sitaraman, a former policy director for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s campaign, as the designated arbiter in the event any disputes or challenges arise if and when an agreement is reached.

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