Obama's Witch Hunt Against the First Amendment May be Over!

CT

Awhile back I posted Obama Thuggery, Trying to Shut Down the AIP's Ad. Essentially it was about an Obama campaign attempt to use the Department of Justice, as their 1st Amendment suppressing tool, to silence AIP (American Issues Project) from running an ad that tied him to William Ayers. But, Michelle Malkin reports that the DOJ will not bend to One’s will. Unfortunately, this is not confirmed officially. Although, I do trust Michelle Malkin’s sources, this falls under, “Trust, but verify.” This is what Malkin posted on her website.

The Justice Department does not pursue criminal investigations of contributors to independent political groups, even when they give $1 million or more and even when their money is solicited based on an appeal to support or oppose a candidate, according to DOJ’s top election crimes official.

“You don’t see a whole lot of cases” where DOJ is looking at independent groups, said Craig Donsanto, the veteran director of the Election Crimes Branch in DOJ’s Public Integrity Section. [1]

So, trusting but verifying to the best of my abilities and the internet’s too. I went to the DOJ website, but could not find anything. So after doing a quick search on Craig Donsanto, Director of the Public Integrity Section within in the DOJ, brings you to BNA Money and Politics, via the AIP website. Since this is a pay site and I am a cheap skate all you get is the headline title, which seems to indicate what Malkin’s source is confirming. Admittedly, this is a very weak confirmation without the rest of the article.

September 16th, 2008

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT
Donsanto Says DOJ Does Not Pursue Criminal Probes of Independent Groups [2]

September 19th, 2008

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT
Wertheimer Blasts Donsanto Comments Indicating No DOJ Action on 527 Groups [3]

This is sketchy, but I am willing to bet there is no legal recourse that the Obamiden campaign can take to silence AIP. Which is great news for Freedom of Speech!

CT

[1] Exclusive: DOJ will not conduct witch hunts for Obama
[2] BNA Money and Politics Headline September 19th, 2008
[3] Headline Archives - September 2008