Good News US Bloggers

If you're dropping into US open threads around the internets, post this so the blogger can read it. It is from Eschaton (Atrios) via NPR.

NPR's political money-tracker Peter Overby was floored by the ruling and the process by which it came about. He says it was a stunning example of everything going... right.

The process was characterized by a tone of civility not usually seen inside the Beltway. Granted, that's a pretty low standard. But Overby says initially when talks began, the FEC and good-government groups had no understanding of bloggers -- or much else about the Internet for that matter. Bloggers had no clue how campaign financing rules and regs worked. But somehow the two sides actually began to understand each other.

The core of the decision is a recognition that the Internet is a unique medium. In traditional politics, money buys influence. On the Internet, influence raises money. And a bunch of a little bloggers, each with a million readers, can have a big influence. But the FEC isn't worried about the little guy. As long as you aren't being paid by a campaign, nothing you do online will be considered a [political] contribution. Only traditional paid political ads on Web sites are subject to the old campaign rules. [emphasis mine]

Just drop the direct link. No reason to route them through my site even though that would be cool too. I keep telling you guys I'm a hit whore.