Supreme Court skeptical about Arizona’s campaign finance law

Source: The Washington Post

The Supreme Court majority that in recent years has struck down campaign spending restrictions as assaults on free speech seemed ready Monday to do the same with Arizona’s public financing plan.

Under Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , the court’s conservative majority has declared unconstitutional major portions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance act. And the court’s loosening of spending constraints on corporations and unions in last year’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission roiled the midterm elections.

“Do you think it would be a fair characterization of this law to say that its purpose and its effect are to produce less speech in political campaigns?” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy asked the lawyer for groups challenging Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Act.

“I believe that that is a goal, and I believe that’s the effect,” answered William R. Maurer, a lawyer for the Institute for Justice, which represented independent groups objecting to the law’s restrictions.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme_court_skeptical_about_arizonas_campaign_finance_law/2011/03/28/AF2xXIrB_story.html

The provision they are upset with allows an increase in public financing in an attempt to provide some balance for candidates who accept public financing to try and offset self funded (read: rich) candidates from buying an election.

The Publicans don't like this law because it's harder to outspend an opponent who accepts public campaign financing. Now just how in the hell is that limiting their speach????? :banghead: