Campaign Advertising Limits on Corporations and Labor Unions Were Just Thrown Out By The Supreme Court.

Political candidates, TV stations, and other campaign advertisers are singing the praises of the Supreme Court, which has just unleashed a torrent of new cash into campaign advertising. This morning, on a 5-4 vote, the Court overturned its ruling of 20 years ago and parts of the 2002 McCain-Feingold “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act” limiting direct campaign advertising by corporations and labor unions. Independent expenditures will no longer be coordinated with campaigns, but contributions by non-profits will still have to be disclosed. Direct contributions to candidates by corporations and labor unions will remain limited. The impact on campaigns will be deep and widespread, as candidates market themselves to corporations and labor unions and no longer have to set up entities to indirectly funnel previously restricted contributions into their advertising. Justice Anthony Kennedy was the swing vote behind this ruling and wrote the opinion. Check out the ruling itself and excellent articles by NPR and by SCOTUSBLOG. President Obama issued a strong condemnation of the ruling and vowed to work with “bipartisan congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision.” Given how much in already on Congress’ plate this year and how difficult it will be to get anything through the Senate, it’s hard to see how a forceful response could reach President Obama’s desk this year.