Court in Va. hears anti-Obama group’s ad appeal

Court in Va. hears anti-Obama group’s ad appeal

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A conservative group critical of President Barack Obama over abortion policy has asked an appeals court in Virginia to declare certain federal campaign restrictions unconstitutional.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond heard arguments today. A ruling is expected in a few weeks.

The group called The Real Truth About Obama Inc. is challenging Federal Election Commission regulations governing organizations that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate. The organization claims its “issue advocacy” amounts to constitutionally protected free speech.

The Fredericksburg-based organization was formed by abortion opponents before Obama’s 2008 election. It wants to run ads on its website and on conservative talk shows. Obama supports abortion rights