Bachmann Violates Federal Election Law With Jim-Beau Ad

DFL Press Release:

Bachmann Ad Backfires…Again!

After airing ads found to be "false" and "misleading," Bachmann’s latest "Jim the Election Guy" ad violates federal law

St. Paul (September 13, 2010) — Today, the DFL Party sent letters to television stations across the metro area, advising them that Representative Bachmann’s most recent attack ad, “A Tax for That,” violates federal law.

The Communications Act of 1934 permits a federal candidate receiving the lowest unit charge to air a television ad that makes direct reference to another candidate for the same office only if, at the end of the broadcast, both a photo and disclaimer from the candidate appear for no less than four seconds. Representative Bachmann’s disclaimer in her most recent ad does not comply, as her image does not appear anywhere at the end of the advertisement.

A copy of the letter is attached.

Under federal law, Representative Bachmann’s campaign should lose the lowest unit rate for the duration of the campaign season for this FCC violation, as it no longer qualifies for the federal-candidate rate.

“At every turn, Beau, the actor guy, has backfired on Michele Bachmann,” said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. “Representative Bachmann’s ads are false, misleading, and now they’re even illegal. Minnesotans can’t trust Michele Bachmann or her actor to tell them the truth, just like they can’t trust her to work for them in Congress. Tarryl Clark isn’t hiding behind actors, because she stands with the people of the sixth district.”

Representative Bachmann’s attack ads feature Beau Peregino, an out-of-state actor playing “Jim the Election Guy.”

Throughout the campaign, Michele Bachmann’s spots have been plagued by legal problems, misleading statements and false claims. A previous Bachmann ad used a trademarked logo, which the Minnesota State Fair demanded be removed and asked the Minnesota Attorney General to investigate. That same ad, “State Fair,” was also fact checked by three independent news organizations (WCCO, KSTP, and MPR) and found to be false and misleading. KSTP gave the ad a D+, while WCCO called the ad’s statements on taxing corn dogs and beer “a distortion.”

I seem to remember Bachmann's campaign making this mistake before.
H/T Anna