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August 25, 2004:
Libertarians Support Free Speech Rights of 527 Groups
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Wes Benedict, LPT Executive Director: 512-442-4910 wes220@aol.com
Kris Overstreet, LPT Media Coordinator: 936-685-4992 cell 936-425-6523
redneck@wlpcomics.com
Michael Badnarik, Libertarian Nominee for President: 1-800-807-7552
media@badnarik.org
AUSTIN – "The only defender of free speech on the Texas presidential ballot is Michael Badnarik," claims Libertarian Party of Texas state chair Patrick Dixon.
Dixon's statement, issued August 25th, comes in direct response to statements made by John Kerry and George W. Bush calling for an end to some or all 527 group advertising.
So-called 527 groups, named after the section of Federal tax law which regulates them, are independent groups which participate in political advertising outside of the political party system. MoveOn.org, the liberal, anti-Bush group, and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the anti-Kerry group, are both 527 organizations.
Both Bush and Kerry support new legislation to close what they consider loopholes in existing campaign finance law to make 527 groups illegal. At present, 527 groups are not bound under campaign finance restrictions so long as their advertising is not coordinated with any political campaign or party.
Silencing 527s would only make a system dedicated to silencing dissent worse, according to Dixon, who regards 527s as the last chance for independent political speech. "Silencing 527s runs contrary to the First Amendment," he said.
"The Democrats and Republicans already have money and power. They appear to fear the inevitable growth of third parties and erect obstacles. They pass onerous ballot access laws to keep [Libertarians] and independents off the ballot. They re-draw voting districts to arrange the outcome of the election before any ballot is cast.
"When they passed the McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, they made it more difficult for third parties to compete. The only recourse third parties have for fund raising is through 527 organizations, and now they want to abolish them. I will not allow them to disarm those that exercise their freedom of speech and oppose the incumbent regime."
The Libertarian Party of Texas will field over sixty candidates for public office in the November 2nd elections, including presidential nominee Michael Badnarik, who will appear alongside George Bush and John Kerry.
Dixon regards the Presidential battle in Texas is a two horse race – between Bush and Badnarik. "The Texas Democratic Party has already conceded the state and told its members not to support the Kerry campaign," Dixon said.
"Michael Badnarik gladly accepts the challenge to take on George Bush and defend freedom of speech."
Information on Michael Badnarik is available at www.badnarik.org. A list of candidates on the November ballot certified by the Texas Secretary of State, including Libertarians, may be viewed at
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/candidates/nov2004.pdf.
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