Coleman's two-second mistake could cost millions (MN-Senate)

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

...snip...

Al Franken, who’s trying to unseat the Minnesota Republican this fall, is claiming that a tiny error at the end of a 30-second Coleman commercial violates federal communications law – and Coleman has to forfeit the special, reduced ad rate given to political candidates.

Coleman recently produced an ad featuring former Minnesota Lt. Gov. Sandy Keith attacking Franken. To receive the “lowest unit charge” – which can sometimes be half of typical rates -- Coleman must include a disclaimer saying he approved the message. He also needs to broadcast his own likeness for a minimum of four seconds, according to the federal Communications Act of 1934.

...snip...

“Though the written disclaimer does appear for four seconds, Coleman’s image only appears for the last two seconds of the advertisement,” wrote Franken’s counsel Marc Elias of Perkins Coie, in a letter to 11 Minnesota station managers obtained by Politico.

It’s a loser-pays-all kind of law, according to Elias: If a campaign violates the rule once, it loses the discount for the "duration of the current election cycle."

[jkshaw]

1. How awful for Coleman ...

not.

[Politicalboi]

3. Yes how awful

Let's send him some money. Not!

[glinda]

21. FCC will decide

And you know which Party they are headed by. Don't hold your breath. He broke the law but they now make their own laws.

[HopeHoops]

2. On a slightly related note, Does Franken's fish count as a "likeness"?

[ret5hd]

10. It must really hurt.

[glinda]

4. Really?

There is a God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kenfrequed]

5. Oh heck yeah!!!!

Considering the number of commercials spawned by this damned jackal this could seriously cut into his campaign budget.

[MinnesotaMom]

6. Coleman

I can't stand him. Go Franken!!! Get Norm out of MN, he's not even from here!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. I hope Al can at least crack some jokes on the campaign trail.

And yes, I already have a copy of "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot".

[meow2u3]

9. He could also mimic Rush Limpballs

as well as McShameless, Rove, and....drumroll....Coleman!

[MissMarple]

15. I love your sig line. I may put it on my refrigerator.

Also, I'm guessing Perragrande doesn't refer to say a...Saint Bernard. Personally, Saints are in the top few of my favorites list. Saints, Newfies and their mixes are wonderful companion dogs.

[pleah]

8. K&R Go get him Al!

[DCKit]

11. You know the Republics know the law(s)...

but their arrogance won't allow them to play by the same rules they insist the Democrats follow to the letter, lest they be crucified.

I just don't know anymore if it's sad or funny.

[Festivito]

12. We already have too many politicians unable to follow rules.

Says something about him. There are other things I could understand, but these rules seem written clearly.

[Codeine]

13. I hope to hell they don't let this slide.

Coleman is such a complete douchenozzle.

[MissMarple]

14. Ouch! Hurts to be him. If he doesn't get a pass, that is. Poor Norman

Too sad for words.

:nopity:

[MadMaddie]

16. Good! Dems are finally using their lawyers

to start challenging the Repug offenses.

Screw Coleman!

[DavidDvorkin]

17. I bet nothing will come of this

After all, he's a Republican.

[LuckyLib]

18. Anything to slow down the frequency of the damned Coleman ads. They are nasty,

vicious, untrue, and appear non-stop in Minnesota. Everyone I talk to is SICK of his horse-teeth mug on TV every 15 minutes!

[dysfunctional press]

19. that may not be a wise move on al's part...much as i detest coleman.

some on-the-fence types might see it as being a little picky and prickish.

[judasdisney]

20. Maybe Pelosi can help out and change the law for Coleman retroactively