Bob Schaffer for Senate ad produced and promoted by Republican 527 called "Term Limits"

Those pesky campaign finance laws are too complicated for Republican 527 groups like "Term Limits.Org" and old pros like Bob Schaffer and Dick Wadhams.

Here's the illegal candidate advocacy ad from the Republican 527 titled "Bob Schaffer for Senate":



Here's the CREW complaint with an explanation from CREW's Melanie Sloan:

The ad violates federal election law in two ways. First, anyone who pays for an ad expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate is required to file a report describing the expenditure within 48 hours after the ad first runs. This ad first aired on March 26, 2008, meaning that a report should have been filed with the Commission no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 28, 2008, but no report was filed.

Second, such television ads must include an audio statement that the person paying for the communication is responsible for the ad’s content, which the USTL ad does not.

CREW's executive director Melanie Sloan said today, "USTL tried to turn this Schaffer campaign ad into an issue ad by never mentioning that Mr. Schaffer is a candidate or referring to the upcoming election. USTL's intent to affect the Colorado senate race was revealed, however, when the group posted the ad on YouTube labeling it "Bob Schaffer for Senate video." Sloan continued, "This is nothing more than a campaign ad in issue ad clothing."

Thanks, Bob. And thanks Mr. Wadhams! And thanks, CREW, for trying to keep things legal in this year's Colorado Senate campaign.....