Clark decides in favor of "free speech(es)"

Good move. Even if it is not a violation, arguing the merits of the case just provides a distraction.

Ex-Gen. Clark Gives Up Paid Speeches, Returns Fees
Thu October 9, 2003 12:17 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retired Gen. Wesley Clark will give no more paid speeches, the Democratic presidential candidate's spokesman said on Wednesday after the Washington Post reported he may have broken the law by touting his 2004 run for the White House.

The Federal Election Commission prohibits candidates from accepting speaking fees from corporations, labor unions, individuals or universities for campaign-related events.

Since Clark announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sept. 17, he has made several paid speaking appearances on college campuses, but FEC officials said it was unclear whether he had done anything wrong.

"Based on our review of the FEC guidelines, we believe that the paid speeches Gen. Clark delivered since he announced his candidacy were appropriate," campaign spokesman Mark Fabiani said. "From here on, Gen. Clark will give no more paid speeches."

Fabiani said Clark would return the payments for speeches he had given since he entered the presidential race "to avoid any distraction from the real issues that matter to Americans." ...