Democrats reportedly have decided on a legal strategy to block the Sinclair Broadcasting company from airing an anti-Kerry film in the days prior to the election.

The Democratic National Committee is to petition the Federal Election Committee to classify the film an "illegal in-kind contribution" to the Republican campaign. In a letter to the Federal Communication Commission, 18 Democratic senators branded the documentary "blatantly partisan".

The article adds,

The Democrats are not thought likely to obtain a ruling in time to stop the broadcast.

If an election lawyer is reading, can you explain why they can't seek a temporary restraining order preventing Sinclair from airing the film until the petition can be heard on its merits?

Kevin Drum and Josh Marshall have good ideas about what regular folks can be doing to stop the airing--particularly those who live in places that carry Sinclair stations.