Panel Deadlocks on Democratic Ad Case

Although Democratic Party officials conceded that they financed a $4.6-million TV ad campaign improperly, the party escaped punishment when bickering Federal Election Commission members deadlocked over the case. The 2-year-old complaint involved ads promoting President Clinton’s national health care proposal. The FEC said it was closing the case despite finding “reason to believe” that the Democratic National Committee erred by funding the ads completely with “soft money”--unlimited donations from unions, corporations and wealthy patrons.