http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122102299.html?hpid=topnews Per this article, as of January 1, 2008 the FEC will "effectively" be unable to deal with campaign issues unless some very quick steps are taken to break a logjam. And the reason? Washington DC politics. The FEC needs at least 4 of 6 commissioners to effectively handle new business. As of 1/1/08 existing appointees will be terminated. Congressional Democrats and the Bush administration and its Republican allies in Congress can't agree on new appointments. The Dems don't want Bush's appointees and the Repubs won't approve the Dems choices. (The commissioners are set at 3 choices of each party) This means there will be no new "policing or enforcing" of any potential campaign actions that break the law after 1/1/08. There will be no ability to provide $ to candidates expecting to get campaign funds through the fed gov. There is about $1 million due each national party. Although there is a 5 year period to go after those that break campaign laws....if I were running .....cr@p I'd push the envelope on any campaign restrictions for the time being and not worry a bit. Could get dirty out there.
there is a GOP candidate from Texas who won't be affected by lack of matching funds BTW, the FEC will still have the monitoring apparatus in place. It's just the head cheeses don't have a quorum to effect decisions for a while. It will result in delays, not absolution of duty.