Say it isn’t so…. MSN’s Slate Magazine is questioning whether our favorite Presidential Candidate, Stephen Colbert, might be violating federal election law. I have to admit, the author presents some good arguments regarding the FCC’s equal time rule and the FEC’s prohibition on contributions to candidates from corporations. So while I can’t disagree on all fronts, I will instead make a plea to Colbert to tread carefully and offer some ideas on how to get around- er I mean- comply with these laws.
The easy way around corporation contributions… Don’t promote Colbert-the-Candidate’s campaign on Colbert-the-host’s television show. That’s what Jon Stewart & the Daily show is for… But what fun is this? Here’s another idea… While running, bring in guest hosts for the show. Then bring on Colbert-the-Candidate and other candidates for interviews and debates. This takes Colbert out of the “control seat” and will then exempt the news program and its parent company from this law.
Equal time… As the reporter points out, there’s a loophole here because the law states, “the term ‘broadcasting station’ includes a community antenna television system.” Comedy Central, of course is cable. Use the loophole Colbert!
Also, the Slate reporter suggests that the Colbert Report’s collective 20 minutes on air each night (minus commercials) would effectively require Comedy Central to allow each other Presidential candidate the right to their own 20 minutes each night. I disagree. The Colbert Report (the show) and Colbert-the-host do not use the entire 20 minutes to promote Colbert-the-Candidate’s run for President. Therefore, they are required only to give the same amount of time to the other candidates as was spent specifically on the promotion of Colbert’s campaign.
Ya gotta love loopholes…. especially those written into laws by politicians for politicians.
The easy way around corporation contributions… Don’t promote Colbert-the-Candidate’s campaign on Colbert-the-host’s television show. That’s what Jon Stewart & the Daily show is for… But what fun is this? Here’s another idea… While running, bring in guest hosts for the show. Then bring on Colbert-the-Candidate and other candidates for interviews and debates. This takes Colbert out of the “control seat” and will then exempt the news program and its parent company from this law.
Equal time… As the reporter points out, there’s a loophole here because the law states, “the term ‘broadcasting station’ includes a community antenna television system.” Comedy Central, of course is cable. Use the loophole Colbert!
Also, the Slate reporter suggests that the Colbert Report’s collective 20 minutes on air each night (minus commercials) would effectively require Comedy Central to allow each other Presidential candidate the right to their own 20 minutes each night. I disagree. The Colbert Report (the show) and Colbert-the-host do not use the entire 20 minutes to promote Colbert-the-Candidate’s run for President. Therefore, they are required only to give the same amount of time to the other candidates as was spent specifically on the promotion of Colbert’s campaign.
Ya gotta love loopholes…. especially those written into laws by politicians for politicians.
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