Expect more from blogs in '06 and '08 now

The Federal Election Commission has handed free speech advocates a victory. By a unanimous vote, the FEC today issued Advisory Opinion 2005-16, which concludes that the Fired Up! Network of blogs qualifies for the "press exception" to federal campaign finance law. The opinion states:

Fired Up qualifies as a press entity. Its websites are both available to the general public and are the online equivalent of a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication as described in the Act and Commission regulations.

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The Commission concludes that the costs Fired Up incurs in covering or carrying news stories, commentary, or editorials on its websites are encompassed by the press exception, and therefore do not constitute "expenditures" or "contributions" under the Act and Commission regulations.

That means blogs will have a whole lot more power during the coming election cycles in seeking to affect public opinion.