s_knight8
2004-06-26 22:51:59 UTC
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3419-2004Jun24.html
Fahrenheit 9/11: Thumbs Down
Violates Federal Election Campaign Act
David Bossie
President, Citizens United
Friday, June 25, 2004; 12:00 PM
Is Moore using the film as a political campaign to defeat President Bush?
David Bossie, president of Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group,
thinks so and has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election
Commission and other federal government agencies against the film. The group
alleges that paid broadcast advertisements for the film are subject to the
restrictions and regulatory requirements of federal campaign law.
"Moore has publicly indicated his goal is to impact this election," Bossie
said.
Bossie was online Friday, June 25 at Noon ET, to discuss why he gives a
thumbs down to the Michael Moore film.
A transcript follows.
________________________________________________
washingtonpost.com: David Bossie, thanks for being with us today on
washingtonpost.com. Fahrenheit 9/11, the Michael Moore movie ... Your
organization, Citizens United, has filed a complaint with the Federal
Election Commission claiming that the marketing of the film violates
campaign laws. Are you trying to stop the movie from being advertised or
seen?
David Bossie: Thanks to washingtonpost.com for having me today. First off,
we know Michael Moore's intention, his ultimate goal, in the creation of his
so-called movie, is to defeat President George W. Bush for reelection.
Secondly, we also know that Michael Moore as a director, never lets the
facts get in the way of a good story. He doesn't exactly have a track record
of credibility.
We filed a complaint yesterday with the Federal Election Commission claiming
that the advertisements for the film are "electioneering communications" as
defined in "McCain-Feingold" and upheld by the Supreme Court.
These advertisements use the name, likeness, image or photo of a federal
candidate for office. That can be President Bush or John Kerry.
All we want is Michael Moore to follow the law. McCain-Feingold limits my
free speech as well as Michael Moore's.
Let's be clear. 1. They are not a violation today, but will be on July 31st.
2. He is using corporate money to pay for his ads, which is illegal, and 3.
He is using foreign money to pay for these ads, which is illegal.
People can read our actual complaint on our Web site, Citizens United.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: What are you so afraid of? If you feel that President Bush
has done a great job in office, then why would one movie sway the voters
over his record?
David Bossie: President Bush has done an amazing job as our nation's leader
in this war on terror. He has had to deal with an inherited recession,
corporate scandals and the Sept. 11th attacks.
This small movie will not move voters either way. The antiwar crowd will
rally around it and the President's supporters will be energized by it as
well. I disagree with Congressman Rangel that Michael Moore is a journalist.
Moore has stated his motivation is to remove President Bush from office.
_______________________
Vienna, Va.: I heard Michael Moore state on the radio this morning that he
has never voted in an election. Why do you think someone who has never voted
is now trying to be so involved in our nation's politics?
David Bossie: I wish that Michael Moore would participate by voting, it's an
essential right that our founding fathers fought and died to give us.
However, Michael Moore has never let the facts get in the way of a good
story, his movie is nothing more than left wing propaganda.
Fahrenheit 9/11: Thumbs Down
Violates Federal Election Campaign Act
David Bossie
President, Citizens United
Friday, June 25, 2004; 12:00 PM
Is Moore using the film as a political campaign to defeat President Bush?
David Bossie, president of Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group,
thinks so and has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election
Commission and other federal government agencies against the film. The group
alleges that paid broadcast advertisements for the film are subject to the
restrictions and regulatory requirements of federal campaign law.
"Moore has publicly indicated his goal is to impact this election," Bossie
said.
Bossie was online Friday, June 25 at Noon ET, to discuss why he gives a
thumbs down to the Michael Moore film.
A transcript follows.
________________________________________________
washingtonpost.com: David Bossie, thanks for being with us today on
washingtonpost.com. Fahrenheit 9/11, the Michael Moore movie ... Your
organization, Citizens United, has filed a complaint with the Federal
Election Commission claiming that the marketing of the film violates
campaign laws. Are you trying to stop the movie from being advertised or
seen?
David Bossie: Thanks to washingtonpost.com for having me today. First off,
we know Michael Moore's intention, his ultimate goal, in the creation of his
so-called movie, is to defeat President George W. Bush for reelection.
Secondly, we also know that Michael Moore as a director, never lets the
facts get in the way of a good story. He doesn't exactly have a track record
of credibility.
We filed a complaint yesterday with the Federal Election Commission claiming
that the advertisements for the film are "electioneering communications" as
defined in "McCain-Feingold" and upheld by the Supreme Court.
These advertisements use the name, likeness, image or photo of a federal
candidate for office. That can be President Bush or John Kerry.
All we want is Michael Moore to follow the law. McCain-Feingold limits my
free speech as well as Michael Moore's.
Let's be clear. 1. They are not a violation today, but will be on July 31st.
2. He is using corporate money to pay for his ads, which is illegal, and 3.
He is using foreign money to pay for these ads, which is illegal.
People can read our actual complaint on our Web site, Citizens United.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: What are you so afraid of? If you feel that President Bush
has done a great job in office, then why would one movie sway the voters
over his record?
David Bossie: President Bush has done an amazing job as our nation's leader
in this war on terror. He has had to deal with an inherited recession,
corporate scandals and the Sept. 11th attacks.
This small movie will not move voters either way. The antiwar crowd will
rally around it and the President's supporters will be energized by it as
well. I disagree with Congressman Rangel that Michael Moore is a journalist.
Moore has stated his motivation is to remove President Bush from office.
_______________________
Vienna, Va.: I heard Michael Moore state on the radio this morning that he
has never voted in an election. Why do you think someone who has never voted
is now trying to be so involved in our nation's politics?
David Bossie: I wish that Michael Moore would participate by voting, it's an
essential right that our founding fathers fought and died to give us.
However, Michael Moore has never let the facts get in the way of a good
story, his movie is nothing more than left wing propaganda.