WASHINGTON // The Supreme Court handed President Bush and the Republican Party two victories yesterday by clearing the way for corporate-funded broadcast ads before elections and by shielding the White House's "faith-based initiative" from challenge in the courts.

Both came in 5-4 rulings by the conservative majority led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

The first decision will allow corporate and union money to play a bigger role in political campaigns.

Five years ago, Congress passed the McCain-Feingold Act, part of which banned pre-election ads that mention a candidate's name if they were paid for with corporate or union money. Yesterday's ruling went most of the way toward striking down that ban.

The ads involve "core political speech" that is protected by the First Amendment, Roberts said. "We give the benefit of the doubt to speech, not censorship."

While labor unions and their Democratic allies also will benefit from the ruling, Republicans and business interests led the challenge to the McCain-Feingold Act and its restrictions on pre-election broadcast ads.
Court eases limits on campaign ads, shields faith plan - baltimoresun.com

Get corporate America out and have all the stations alot equal time for no charge..........

Have a good one!:s4:
Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on . Court eases limits on campaign ads, shields faith plan WASHINGTON // The Supreme Court handed President Bush and the Republican Party two victories yesterday by clearing the way for corporate-funded broadcast ads before elections and by shielding the White House's "faith-based initiative" from challenge in the courts. Both came in 5-4 rulings by the conservative majority led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. The first decision will allow corporate and union money to play a bigger role in political campaigns. Five years ago, Congress Rating: 5