[Lnc-business] I am paying for this microphone

[Joshua Katz]

I grew up hearing this famous line quoted often, but never in context (I
was born in 1982.)  I only recently learned the context, and was shocked by
it.

For those who are unfamiliar:  After Bush won Iowa and New Hampshire, he
wanted a 1-1 debate with Reagan.  NBC agreed to hold it, and the remaining
candidates filed a complaint with the FEC - which ruled that it would be an
illegal corporate campaign contribution.  So Reagan paid for it himself,
planning to, at the last minute, invite the other candidate to participate,
forcing Bush to refuse, and hopefully making Bush look bad.  When he tried
to make the invitation, they refused to let him, and the host said to turn
his mic off, which is when he gave his famous line.

Imagine that - as recently as 1980, the FEC said limited debates were
corporate contributions.  How much the FEC has changed since then.

Joshua A. Katz
Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)
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