You’re quite correct in construing this that McCain has a significant problem with the FEC–*g* if only there were an FEC right now. He has a potential chance to come quickly crashing down–due to his very real irrefutable commitment to the FEC when it existed for public financing, and his very (and this is yet another problem to be explored unusual large bank lone to stay in the race a few months ago contingent upon his public financing that he wants to wiggle out of now.

Since there isn’t a functioning FEC, it’s very hard to say what will be the result, but yes–no FEC and McCain probably gets to skate. Let’s say the DNC says “we’re going to hold him to the agreement.” Well, without the FEC to do it, and any ruling any agency would make would be appealed by either side to the D.C. Circuit, and there my friend you are talking a lot of time–unless, and this is all hypothetical–the D.C. Circuit and possibly then afterward the S. Ct. says “hey we have an election coming–and they expedite the hell out of a ruling.”

But then…you get into a ruling by this current Supreme Court and speculating on how they rule in pending elections–well, their track record is definitely that they rule for the Republicans and once it gets there all bets would certainly be off.

We all know what they did in 2000, and that was without Alito and Roberts–and with swing vote Justice O’Connor.

But, it certainly leaves McCain in no position to throw stones. Which might be exactly the reason he was the first to do so with his silly charges against Obama. Such is the weird political Kabuki world in which we live.

I’m far from an expert on the FEC or much else, but they have to have 4 people to have a quorum in order to take action.

I’m trying to remember where I saw a decent article early yesterday morning(it’s tomorrow already where I am) that spelled out how the FEC could impact all of the campaigns.

Simplistically ( a word?) one aspect is you understand that McConnell has said in typical fashion, “Look Dems. You either confirm our monster (Hans Von Spakovsky) or you’re not going to get any of your candidates confirmed that you need to provide a quorum. My way or the highway.”

That’s become very frequent with them the last few years. It’s happening with FISA now, along with their collateral attacks of the bullshit that American lives are in danger, and Bush’s insipidly stupid chorus that Dems are trying to throw a bone to trial lawyers because the House has had the guts so far to insist on stripping immunity (although CBoldt thinks I believe, that it’s a kabuki dance there to appear to be correct for the Dem base).

The big grin there is that it’s emerged that the Telcoms (whose legal counsel have been writing wiretapping legislation for years when they were employed by DOJ) have said, “screw it we have been and play to continue wiretapping whomever the hell this administration wants us to tap.”

The short and dirty history on Hans is that he helped run the DOJ voting rights unit, he did a lot to disenfranchise voters that TPM Muck chronicled very well over the last year and a half. For example, when Georgia’s voter ID was being scrutinized, DOJ’s Voting Rights section ruled it was illegal. Hans then stacked it with Bush appointees who weren’t career people, who were brought in expressly to rule any way the Republican administration wanted them to rule. Requiring driver’s license IDs while not a handicap for anyone here, is a handicap for an older, and poorer segment of the population, and certain ethnic groups, and von Spakovsky’s ringers ruled that it was OK over-ruling the career people.

So where does this leave us with McCain’s situation and Dean’s letter? I don’t know. I do know that FEC can’t do much about it right now, until they have a quorum and significantly they cannot disburse funds for public financing until they have four members. McCain wants out of it. He made the agreement. He has in my humble opinion, a big problem. McConnel may perceive right now that as long as he obstructs the FEC from becoming functional, he’s helping McCain slip out from under his obligation since they can’t disburse funds.

There are some other practical aspects. Many people who are conversant with FEC say that they wouldn’t make any rulings even if they had a quorum until after the November 2008 elections. Of course Dr. Dean would press them to move expeditiously, but if Hans is there don’t expect that to happen.

If there were litigation over the DNC’s claims, and there well could be, then you can put a fork in them doing anything practically, because litigation could tie this up for many many months beyond November 2008.

If it were litigated, and even if it’s not–it’s a bit complicated.

I know, clear as mud. Give me a couple days, and I can read a bit and get a better grip but I already know it’s murky and complicated. I haven’t had much chance the last 24 to read any of the FEC articles that are starting to metastasize in the print media and on blogs. As I said last night, the Dems were very correct to oppose McConnel and his nomination of von Spakovsky, and to start showing the backbone we all want them to start showing when the thugs start shoving them up against the wall and telling them to do whatever they tell them to do.

I want Democratic party = old style dachsund, and badger/miscellaneous varmint = GOP and neocons.

We are gonna chew ‘em into tiny fur balls and bone splinters, no doubt.

For “Badger” or “misc. varmints” replacements, you were probably thinking of “weasels,” “a$$holes,” “dipsticks,” “slagballs,” and “mother%#@kers.”

Just trying to help . . . .

I want total political destruction of neocons and thoughtless warmonger hanger oners such as McCain.

Count me in.