Issue ad case likely going to SCOTUS this term

Solicitor General Paul Clement's response (PDF) on the expedited hearing request by Wisconsin Right to Life suggests that everyone seems to be ready for the Supreme Court to take the issue ad case this term. Of course the Court has the final say, but I don't know of anyone who thinks it will dodge this one.

As a reminder, this is an "as-applied" challenge to the issue ad ban close to elections. Wisconsin Right to Life argues that it should be able to put out lobbying advertisements that mention elected officials even if there is an election pending.

Thanks to Marty Lederman on the election law listserv for the pointer...

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Update... Rick Hassen posts:

As soon as later today we will know if the Court will agree to the expedited schedule. I think it is likely that the Court will do so, which would mean oral argument in April and an opinion, presumably, at the end of the current term in June.

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Update #2 ... SCOTUSblog reports that the Court will consider the petitions on January 19th. To be continued...