My views on internet regulation are pretty well-known, but in sum, while sympathetic to the idea of a press exemption for blogs, I lean more towards the reformers, mostly because I trust them a hell of a lot more than I trust the people claiming to be on the bloggers' side. They are the same people that have done all sorts of other underhanded things to undermine BCRA, and I think they are currently using the blogosphere to start a panic to allow them to slip in more loopholes to BCRA (McCain-Feingold, for the non-wonks) and that the threat to the blogosphere is a strawman.
So, fair's fair, that's out in the open. Because Roll Call is touting a new bill put forth by McCain-Feingold to be revealed to rein in lobbying groups and allow for disclosure. I don't have an opinion on this bill, as I don't know the details, specifically how it differs from this bill, but the article said something even clearer to me: the netroots are going to be used to defeat it.
Details on the flip.
Here is the key section of this
article as far as I am concerned (emphasis mine):
Paul Miller, president of the American League of Lobbyists, said his group is not necessarily opposed to new disclosure requirements, as long as they are not too burdensome.
He added that he hopes any new bills will cover public relations executives and grass roots activists exempt from the current regulations.
"I think McCain is concerned about the Michael Scanlons of the world," said Miller, referring to the former DeLay aide who pocketed millions working with former superlobbyist Jack Abramoff. "As atrocious as his behavior was, at least with Jack Abramoff, there was some paper trail, because he had to file."
The key here is to aggravate those who write letter-writing campaigns and blogs calling for community action to flood the offices of Congressmen with cries of rejecting this bill lest the common man's voice be shut up, while ignoring the fact that they are allowing lobbyists who charge millions of dollars to arrange private meetings with legislators to slip through the same crack. After all, how else can he do it? It's very difficult for a lobbyist to lobby against lobby reform. So, you need to find someone to carry your water for you that has a reputation of not being an extension of monied interests, and can have a direct effect on someone's district.
And the ironic thing is that it is because the blogs and the grassroots are somewhat of a threat to the lobbying industry, which relies on promotion by favors, chits, and working your way up the ranks, that this policy is being enacted. Because, if the netroots fail the lobbyists, the worst that can happen is they end up with legislation that was bound to affect them, anyway, but in the meantime, they can try and legislate on the bothersome grassroots activism that undercuts backroom deals. Lobbyists know they are due for a hit. The scandals are too bad, and if they don't accept one then the GOP might lose power and all the benefits of the K Street Project will dissipate, anyway. So you're their best option, IMHO.
So, I suppose the question is, will the grassroots bite?