In one of the better pieces of analysis I've seen – and okay, it is because I agree with him -- Rick Hasen, PDF occasional contributor, makes a few predictions about how the Federal Elections Commission will follow through on attempts to "regulate" blogging.

In essence, Hasen's downplaying all the alarmist scenarios that have been on offer over the past few weeks and predicts, the FEC will come down on the side of bloggers using the media exemption to remain free from oversight. The commission will, in essence, follow the course of action that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decided to follow.

Here's the professor:

The FEC will likely be inundated with anti-regulation comments from the blogging world, and one commissioner has already indicated that "it's pretty clear that the result is not going to be bad for bloggers." To reach that result, the final regulations are likely to expand the media exemption to virtually all bloggers, or to exempt blogging from regulation altogether even when accomplished with the significant help of corporate or union resources.

But, he warns, that doesn't mean disclosure isn't necessary. As Hasen says:

"If bloggers want to be treated as journalists, they should not oppose at least disclosure of these financial arrangements. If you would want to know that a columnist at your favorite newspaper was on the payroll of one of the campaigns, you would want to know that about bloggers as well."

Over to you, Mr. Krempasky.

Link via Mickey Kaus who has his own thoughts.