Proposal designed to prevent campaign mudslinging fails in Mo. House

Intro:	The sponsor of a proposal that would have outlawed lies in campaign ads withdrew the measure Tuesday before it could come to a vote on the House floor.
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Wrap: Carrolton Republican Representative Joe Don McGaugh tacked the proposal onto a bill that would make voting access easier for troops overseas.

The measure would have fined candidates as much as $20,000 per violation when the candidate knowingly runs a false statement about their opponent in a political ad.

McGaugh says the measure is the first step in reigning in campaign mudslinging.

Actuality:	MCGAUGH2.WAV
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Description: "We're talking about trying to skew election results by out and out lies."

McGaugh withdrew the amendment before the House could vote on it because he didn't want to hurt the chances of passing the underlying bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A proposal that would have fined political candidates who lie in campaign ads up to $20,000 per lie was withdrawn Tuesday before the House could vote on the measure.
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Wrap: While the proposal had some bi-partisan support, members of the House were concerned that the amendment weighed down the underlying bill that would make voting access easier for troops overseas.

Carrolton Republican Joe Don McGaugh offered and then withdrew the amendment, but he says the issue is an important one.

Actuality:	MCGAUGH1.WAV
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Description: "When I talk to people across my district they don't have a problem with campaign contributions they have a problem with politicians using that to sling mud on each other."

Earlier in the session McGaugh filed a bill that is identical to the amendment he offered, but it has yet to reach a House committee.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A proposal tacked on to a bill that would make voting access easier for troops overseas would have fined political candidates up to $20,000 for every time they lie about their opponent in a campaign ad. But before the amendment came up for a vote in the House, the representative that offered it withdrew it.
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Wrap: Carrolton Republican Representative Joe Don McGaugh took his amendment back because he was concerned it would hurt the chances of passing the underlying bill.

But before he withdrew his proposal it had some bi-partisan support from Barnhart Democrat Jeff Roorda who says the proposal was all about political courage.

Actuality:	ROORD01.WAV
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Description: "Us as politicians have the courage to say enough is enough. The way we run elections is an embarrassment to our profession."

The proposal would have fined candidates as much as $20,000 per violation when the candidate knowingly runs a false statement about their opponent in a political ad.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.