Glenn Reynolds says that Thomas’s speech was “the most cogent argument for the elimination of the FEC” that he’s ever heard. Sorry, Glenn, but I disagree about that–we can’t go to a system where there are no limits on what an individual can give to a candidate. Elections that are auctions are not free.
He’s now talking about blogs not as “the new powerbrokers,” the topic he was asked to cover, but as “powerbreakers.” Nice.
Blogs are great at fundraising, he notes, but not at reaching people who don’t care. Blogs motivate the motivated.
Blogs also are driven by enemies. The newest one, he says, is the FEC. The bankruptcy bill being a similar, but smaller, example.
He thinks nobody should be regulated by the FEC. If there is a media exception, blogs should qualify. Though he thinks if that is allowed, the exception will devour the rule. It’s not a bug, it’s a feature, he jokes. Fair point.
Blogs are just a tool, he says. People are the new powerbrokers. I hope the FEC will say, power to the people.
Hear, hear!