Home / Media Notebook / Citizens United

Citizens United

Posted on 09-23-2004 4:04 PM EDT

Citizens United [501(c)(4)] has posted promo pieces on its Web site for its documentary, "Celsius 41.11," which mocks "Fahrenheit 9/11" creator Michael Moore and advocates President Bush’s re-election .

The film shows Bush speaking in a decisive tone against a backdrop of images of terrorism and torture.

"If we wait for threats to fully materialize, we will have waited too long," Bush says in the film.

"This November Americans will decide," reads an outtake from the film. "Be careful who you vote for."

Citizens United sought a "press exemption" from the law that prohibits the use of corporate money to pay for broadcast ads within 60 days of a general election, but the FEC rejected the request. Consequently, Citizens United must use contributions from individuals to pay for any ads it wants to broadcast in promotion of the film.

Citizens United paid $750,000 to $1 million to produce the movie, Daily Variety reported. The group, like all 501(c) organizations, is prohibited from making electioneering activities its primary purpose.