"But Jay Jacobs, a New York Democratic Party official who filed the complaint in June, asserted that the fundraising email, which went to a list maintained by Premiere Radio Networks (which syndicates Hannity’s show and operates his website), should be considered a contribution to Gomez’s campaign – which would be illegal, since corporations are barred from contributing to federal campaigns.The "media exemption" gets more confusing every year -- what exactly is a "legitimate press function" these days? I think a more interesting question is what is "legitimate press" these days.
According to documents released Friday, the FEC voted 3-to-2 in favor of a staff recommendation finding that Hannity’s fundraising email qualified for a “media exemption” from the prohibition, which allows newspapers, websites and talk show hosts to endorse candidates.
The three votes to dismiss came from Republican appointees to the six-member commission, while two Democrats voted against dismissing the complaint, and another Democrat – commission chair Cynthia Bauerly – did not vote. Because FEC rules require a four-vote majority to take official action, the vote resulted in the case against Hannity being closed without a formal legal finding."
Federal Election Commission closes case against Sean Hannity
POLITICO.com:
