On January 10, 2007, Unity.08 sued the Federal Election Commission. Unity.08 is asking for an injunction allowing it to raise as much money from individuals as it can, during 2007. The case is Unity08 v FEC, 1:07-cv-53, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington DC.
Federal campaign laws that control how much money individuals may contribute to candidates cannot pertain to groups that don’t have any candidates or that don’t support any particular candidates. Nevertheless, in October 2006, the FEC ruled that no one may contribute more than $5,000 to Unity.08. Unity.08’s complaint says, “Unity08 has no candidates, and is in no way supporting or opposing any person as a candidate, clearly identified or otherwise. Under these circumstances, the FEC cannot legitimately be preventing Unity08 from corrupting a federal election or creating the appearance of corruption in the electoral process.”
The case was assigned to Judge Richard Roberts, a Clinton appointee.
Golly! By that measure, the Republican and Democratic Parties cannot be regulated by the FEC either. I mean, THEY have no candidates for the 2008 election either — yet. Just like Unity08 has no candidates for the 2008 election either — yet.
But the Democratic and Republican Parties have many powerful incumbents in Congress and in the Presidency. That’s the difference between them and Unity08.