On Tue, 5 Nov 1996, Carol A. Edwards wrote:

> Maybe I missed it in Matt's message, but:
>  - was anyone in officialdom notified/asked if it was OK to have this
> event at the museum? Police? Was a permit required?

Permits are not required, generally speaking, although use of a city park
might have to be approved.  But it's almost inconceivable that use of a
city park would be denied for such a purpose.  The Supreme Court has
recognized that one of the purposes of city parks is to have public
gatherings, which a campaign rally certainly is.

> Andy:  Do you really mean that political campaigns have the right to
> do what they want where they want without regard to the locals?

I must have expressed myself poorly!  If candidates ignore the locals, all
they succeed in accomplishing is losing votes, as undoubtedly happened in
this case.

> And what if the museum director doesn't want to schmooz with the candidate?

I leave it up to individual directors to decide at what level they get
personally engaged -- but in my opinion, any director who feels they
would be sullied by contact with a serious candidate for high office
probably doesn't deserve to be in the job.  (Of course, I understand
there can be special circumstances.)

Andy Finch
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AAM Government Affairs
usual disclaimers