A Great Victory for Free Speech, Robust Elections, and Probably Apple Pie Too

[Note: I authored the following post on Thursday right after the Citizens United decision came down. I thought I had posted the same to the blog.  But apparently, some wires in the interwebs somewhere got crossed and it didn’t happen.  Anyway, as I said below I’ll have an analysis / defense of the decision up ASAP.]

Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Citizens United v. FEC, striking down long-established laws restricting the political speech (via independent expenditures) of businesses and unions in support of or opposition to candidates. The decision was 5-4, with the usual split. Haven’t had time to even read the syllabus of the case yet, but this is a very good day indeed: What just might be the beginning of the end (finally, finally) of a campaign finance regulation scheme that runs contrary to the most important, most fundamental rights that free people have. 

(Am I letting my opinions on the matter show? Ah, well…)

The opinions are here. Analysis as soon as I have time.

YES

Nearly There

 

If you’re aware of political news at all, you already know the story. The polls have all broken for Brown.  The anecdotes suggest that Brown supporters are remarkably enthusiastic, and that Coakley supporters are remarkably unenthusiastic. The pundits (even on the left) are saying it’s likely to be Brown. The recriminations inside the Democratic Party have started today, and won’t stop for quite a while if Brown indeed wins. Only two things remain: to close the polls and actually count the votes.

As a fool, I have a habit of offering predictions in political races:

Brown, by four-and-a-half-points. 

If It Wasn’t Happening, I Wouldn’t Believe It Was Possible

Stuart Rothenberg and Charlie Cook have moved the Massachusetts Senate race into the “toss up” columns in their respective election watch reports.

It takes five factors to make a good electoral effort: The Man (okay, not politically correct or always accurate, but cut me a break: “candidate” doesn’t start with an“m”); The Message, The Money, The Machine, and The Moment.  Scott Brown is a vastly better candidate than Martha Coakley, and he’s proven adept at finding and sticking to a good “change” message.  Money was a bit of a weak spot, but all indications are that he’s now receiving all the money his campaign will be able to spend in the time left.  Organization is still a weakness compared to the opposition, of course, but there’s some hope that the Dems until-recently lackadaisical posture may have blunted their ability to fully mobilize. As for the moment, well, even in Massachusetts people are obviously pissed off at those in power in D.C.  And therein lies the real story of this race:  Everyone, except maybe some in the Brown campaign, assumed that folks in the deep blue Bay State wouldn’t be pissed off enough to make this race interesting. 

If you’d have asked me about Brown’s chances two weeks ago, I’d have told you that he just might be able to come within 15 points of Coakley. If you’d have asked me 2 days ago, I’d have told you that he might make things pretty close (say, within five points), but that he wouldn’t win. Indeed, if the election were to be held tomorrow, I’d still tell you right now that Coakley should favored by two or three points.  But now I think it’s ever so slightly more likely than not that next Wednesday morning we will learn that the senator-elect from Massachusetts is a fairly conservative Republican.

What a morning that would be.

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Festivus!

With today being December 23, its time to celebrate.  As Frank Costanza explained:

"Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way."

So partake in the airing of grievances, test yourself in the feats of strength, and gather round ye ole’ aluminum pole. 

Free Legal Advice for a Certain Small Media Company

Suing Google and Microsoft at the same time (let alone with some already discredited legal theories regarding the liability of search engines) is not normally a strategy for litigation success. Unless, of course, you define “litigation success” as driving your company into bankruptcy via legal fees.

The NEA is an independent organization that wants nothing to do with politics, and anyone who says different is a right-wing neo-Nazi troglodyte.

With the recent accusations that the new leadership of the National Endowment for the Arts is merely an arm of the Obama political machine, maybe this isn’t the best time for its website to be featuring a highly flattering recommendation of ultra-leftist radical Saul Alinski’s works.  Or a hit piece on political advertisements that criticize union excesses.

(Hat tip to The Corner for the Alinski review link.)

Baucus Health Care Bill Dead

It may have passed the finance committee and garnered the support of Olympia Snowe today, but the Baucus health care reform plan might as well be off to the embalmers.  The rebellion of the health insurers yesterday hurt, but the coup de grace came today with the announcement that AFSCME, the AFL-CIO, and the CWA will oppose final passage in the Senate.  Given how terrified Democrats are of those unions the question how isn’t whether the measure will pass but whether the Dems will put it up for a final vote at all.

I gotta admit: After years of smacking my head over the occasional incompetence of the Bush Administration, it’s terrific to have opponents in power who match or exceed any degree of ineptitude the GOP ever put forth.