election

Obama and Clinton's low ad rates

shwineka — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:30:00 -0400

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton won't be getting ripped off on advertising rates as they begin campaigning on television.

An FCC regulation puts restrictions on the rates that federal candidates for office pay for TV advertising. During the 45 days preceding a primary, candidates can only be charged the cheapest rate for ads running in the same class and amount of time.

That same regulation does not apply to candidates for state office, however.

The candidates assume the role of television stations' most loyal customers. Another stipulation reads that candidates will be charged no more than a station's "most favored commercial advertisers," and that any practices available to enhance the value of spots be offered to candidates equally.

Stations are not required to accept ads from candidates, but once they have accepted one, they must give equal opportunity to all candidates for the office. The stations have no censorship over the ads.

Clinton gets general support

shwineka — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:17:41 -0400

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and North Carolina native Gen. Hugh Shelton is among 19 retired military officers pledging support to Hillary Clinton.

Shelton made headlines in 2004 for his decision not to support then Democratic presidential nominee Gen. Wesley Clark. Clark did not win the nomination, but joins Shelton on the list of Clinton supporters.

In a press release, the officers repeat Clinton's phrase "who can be Commander-in-Chief on day one," and cite her experience on the Senate Armed Services Committee as reason for their support.

A house for the Senate?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:49:04 -0400

Under a bill approved by a Senate committee this week, one of the chamber's new members would not have been eligible for appointment to his job.

Sen. Floyd B. McKissick Jr., a Democrat appointed last month, does not live in the district he represents though he owns a house there. McKissick said he has owned homes in each of Durham's Senate districts since 1993.

"I could be a permanent resident within 48 hours," he said. "It's all a matter of where you decide to sleep."

The house is being renovated, McKissick said, and he will establish residency.

The proposed legislation would require an appointee to an office be qualified to vote for that office on the day of appointment.

The issue came up earlier this year in connection with a House appointment. A letter from a special deputy Attorney General said an appointee does not have to live in the district for one year or be a qualified voter in the district.

Rep. Tricia Ann Cotham, the Democrat who replaced former House speaker Jim Black, also moved to her district shortly before her appointment this year.

McKissick would have to live in the district to be qualified to run in the next election.