LP files Suit To Stop State Funding Of 3rd Debate

Mike Oliver writes "Arizona Libertarians have filed a lawsuit that could stop Arizona State University from sponsoring the third presidential debate between George Bush and Sen. John Kerry, scheduled for Oct. 13. The lawsuit maintains that by spending up to $2 million to sponsor the event in Tempe, the university is making an illegal campaign contribution to the Republican and Democratic parties."

Comments

And this is *MY RIGHTS ONLINE* exactly how?

[Oliver Wendell Jones]

Shouldn't this be a Slashdot Politics story instead?

I fail to see how this has anything to do with anyone's online rights...

No state funds being used

[Bamfarooni]

The debate is being paid for by the private ASU Foundation (which is distinct and separate from the state funded University), mostly with corporate donations. No state funds are being used, so I suspect the lawsuit will be quickly dispatched.

The foundation gets most of it's money from corporate sponsors (SRP, Motorola, etc), and the occasional private individual. Since the money doesn't go directly to the candidates, I can't imagine how it'll violate any campaign finanace laws.

Re:No state funds being used

[IO ERROR]

The debate is being paid for by the private ASU Foundation (which is distinct and separate from the state funded University), mostly with corporate donations. No state funds are being used, so I suspect the lawsuit will be quickly dispatched.

If only it were that simple. The ASU foundation hasn't received nearly the $2 million this debate is going to cost. The difference is going to be billed straight to Arizona taxpayers.

The foundation gets most of it's money from corporate sponsors (SRP, Motorola, etc), and the occasional private individual. Since the money doesn't go directly to the candidates, I can't imagine how it'll violate any campaign finanace laws.

It probably doesn't violate any campaign finance laws, but the lawsuit doesn't say that it does. The lawsuit DOES state that it violates the Arizona constitution, which it does. Arizona recognizes THREE major political parties: Republican, Democrat and Libertarian. Any money paid by the state to benefit one or two of them is a partisan campaign contribution or endorsement and is illegal in Arizona.

Re:No state funds being used

[jangobongo]

According to this article at azcentral.com:

"To put on the debate, the school raised more than $2 million in donations through private donors. But the complaint says those officials who solicited donations were working for the state, thus violating the law. "

Re:Hmm..

[AntsInMyPants]

A long running libertarian theme (notice I am using the small "l" here) is that the government uses its own devices to perpetuate its own power. If there's one thing the two major parties agree on, its that competition is bad. They are stuck with each other, but the last thing they want are other major parties forming to threaten their dominance. What the Libertarian Party's actions seem to be consistant with that.

An example

[GimmeFuel]

http://www.lp.org/lpnews/0307/illinois_ballotlaw.h tml

Republican National Convention fell a week after the deadline in Illinois for candidates to be certified. Thus, if the law were to be followed, Bush would not be able to be on the ballot in Illinois.

The Republican response: Ignore the deadline 'cause we're important. Nevermind that we'd scream like little girls if you ignored the deadline for the Democrats or a third party. We deserve a double standard, because, uhhhh...well we do.

<voice type="record exec from South Park">

I AM ABOVE THE LAW!

</voice>