Mike McCabe with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is among many observers wondering when the nation’s high court might release an opinion which could roll back limits on corporate and union cash in political campaigns. “It’s pretty clear that there’s indecision ont he court about how to handle this case,” says McCabe. “It makes you think that maybe they don’t have a fifth vote to go as far as some of the more extreme members of the court would like to go.”
The Citizens United case stems from a corporate-funded conservative group’s 2008 video on Hillary Clinton, which the FEC ruled was a campaign ad. But the U.S. Supreme Court‘s majority elected to review precedents from 2000 and 1993. McCabe speculates that the delay in releasing a ruling may be good news, for advocates of restricting big money in politics. “I’m not saying that when the ruling finally comes it won’t be bad, but it might not be as bad as many feared,” says McCabe.
A decision was widely expected from the court last week, but that didn’t happen. McCabe says there are only a couple more days this month in which the court is scheduled to release opinions.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:65 MP3) AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:65 MP3)