There is no justification for Democrats on the Federal Election Commission to assert federal control over political speech on the Internet, FEC Chairman Lee Goodman says.
"Those who believe in greater regulation of political speech generally are concerned that more and more Americans are logging on. A recent Pew study showed that about half of Americans use the Internet as their primary source for political commentary, information, and news," Goodman said Tuesday on the "Steve Malzberg Show" on
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"So they are concerned that Internet communications about politics are becoming quite effective. But just because the communication is effective is not a justification for the government to regulate it."
The Washington Examiner reported that the FEC's three Democrats moved at the agency's Oct. 24 meeting to impose "burdensome new rules on Internet-based campaigning."
The three GOP members beat back the measure, warning the proposal would regulate "online political sites and even news media like the Drudge Report." But Ann Ravel, the Democratic vice-chair of the FEC, said she would begin a campaign for regulation that is "long overdue."
The incident which triggered the Democrats' gambit was the airing of two anti-Obama videos aimed at Ohio voters on the Internet.
"Conservatives have certainly thrived on the Internet but the latest suggestion from some of my colleagues on the Federal Election Commission is that they would like to put the tentacles of government regulation on the Internet," Goodman said.
"I don't know that that would necessarily discriminate against conservative commentators and posters online."
"Let me just say I get along quite well with Commissioner Ravel. We have an excellent professional working relationship, but we just disagree in principle on this issue."
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