General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: My challenge to DU: Cite me an official source that says the Tea Party was "singled out" by the IRS [View all]Bonobo
(29,257 posts)Clearly it is politics, but the question is "what political end is being served by capitulation on this (and in contrast, strong defense on the AP story)?" or put another way "Who is being targeted in the attempts to mitigate political damage and/or to make a political appeal to?"
My feeling is that capitulation on the IRS issue (despite the lack of need to do so) suggests an appeal to the right-wing who claims to fear overreaching govt. power in the form, usually, of "Git yer gosh-darned hand outta my pocket!" type thinking. The old Reagan proverbial "knock on the door" fear. The capitulation is an attempt to assuage or disempower that segment of the populace.
On the other hand, or perhaps on the same hand, the strong defense of the Justice Dept. on the AP story is similarly one that makes an appeal to the right on the basis of "strong defense" while at the same time not recognizing the Democratic base which is usually more concerned with issues like "freedom of the press".