From the

Associated Press

FEC Sues Pro-Republican Political Group

By SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer

Federal election officials Monday sued a political group to try to force
it to comply with campaign finance limits, the first lawsuit of its kind to
arise from big-money fundraising during the 2004 elections.

The Federal Election Commission filed a complaint in U.S. District Court
in Washington against the Club for Growth. The pro-Republican group spent at
least $21 million in the 2003-04 election cycle.

The FEC contends the group spent enough in federal races to require it to
file with the commission as a political committee and abide by limits on
contributions and spending.

FEC Vice Chairman Michael Toner called the case “one of the most
important suits the commission has brought in recent years.” The lawsuit is
the first to result from several complaints filed against both
pro-Republican and pro-Democratic “soft money groups.”

Campaign finance watchdogs contend the groups spent millions of dollars
in corporate, union and unlimited contributions from individuals despite a
2002 law banning the use of such money in presidential and congressional
races.

Will the Republicans ever play by the rules?