NOM Files Florida Appeal To Secretly Campaign In Favor Of Gov. Rick Scott

NOM has filed a federal appeal demanding that they be exempted from a Florida law that bans out of state groups from secretly campaigning for local politicians. In their filing, NOM argues that they would be unfairly burdened if forced to disclose the source of their funding.

Electioneering communications organizations, or ECOs, are structured differently than traditional political-action committees and provide another vehicle for outside groups to try to influence elections or issues. In the case, the National Organization for Marriage argues that the state law "chills" political speech and that the definition of ECOs is too vague. [snip] The lawsuit started in September 2010 because the National Organization for Marriage wanted to run ads and send mailers related to the November 2010 elections. The material, examples of which were included in the lawsuit, did not explicitly endorse candidates but it lauded some for their positions on issues such as opposing gay marriage. As an example, the group planned to send mailers that would tout at least one legislative candidate as a "proven fighter for Florida families and children, an effective fiscal conservative, a tireless taxpayer advocate (and) a dedicated community volunteer." The mailer also would urge voters to call, e-mail or write the candidate to offer thanks for public service. The examples don't name the lawmakers that would be featured in the mailers. But they indicate the group planned to run upbeat radio and television ads about Gov. Rick Scott.

The rules? Those are for OTHER people.