The American Conservative Union has filed a formal complaint against MoveOn.org and The New York Times with the Federal Election Commission related to the full-page advertisement attacking General David Petraeus for which MoveOn.org apparently paid less than half the normal price.  The ACU press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 14, 2007
CONTACT:  Bill Lauderback  301-792-8922

ACU Files FEC Complaint Against MoveOn.org Political Action and the New York Times Company For Committing Clear Violations of Federal Election Laws

Alexandria, VA – American Conservative Union (ACU) chairman David A. Keene announced today that ACU has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against MoveOn.org Political Action and the New York Times Company for violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

On Monday, September 10, 2007, MoveOn sponsored a full page advertisement in the New York Times attacking General David Petraeus prior to his report to Congress regarding the status of the United States military operations in Iraq. The open rate for a full page black and white advertisement in the New York Times is $181,692. MoveOn only paid $65,000 for the ad, according to multiple press reports.

The New York Times Company’s “discount” is in effect a corporate soft money contribution to a federal political committee. MoveOn’s acceptance of this corporate soft money contribution exceeds federal contributions and is a clear violation of FEC laws.

“ACU demands a full and thorough investigation of the cost of the Ad and the discount given by the New York Times Company to MoveOn.org Political Action, for payment by MoveOn of the usual and normal charge for the costs of the Ad and the requisite civil money penalty for violation of federal law by each of the Respondents,” ACU Chairman David A. Keene stated in the FEC complaint. 

View the ACU's complaint here.

View the exhibits which the ACU is submitting with its comlaint here.

For the past several months, our Democratic colleagues have asked for a new attorney general. They have spoken at length about the importance of the Justice Department, and the urgent need to install new leadership there as soon as possible.  Democrats said they want someone with “integrity” and “experience” who “respects the rule of law,” and who can “hit the ground running.”

Judge Michael Mukasey possesses the qualities required to lead the Department of Justice, the qualities my Democratic colleagues said they want: experience, integrity, and intellect. His many years on the bench and as a prosecutor, particularly his experience handling complicated terrorism cases, is certainly welcome at an organization that plays such a key role in our nation’s anti-terror efforts.

Now is the chance for our Democratic colleagues to prove they meant what they said.  If they were serious when they cried out for new leadership at the Justice Department, they will follow Senate precedent and evaluate Judge Mukasey based on his record of service, not their own political agenda.

I will review his record and qualifications, and I encourage my colleagues to complete a fair and comprehensive review of their own, without political calculations and without delay. The Senate needs to promptly and fairly consider Judge Mukasey’s qualifications and vote in a timely fashion.

*This post also appeared on The Hill's Congress Blog.