Isn't It Illegal For Rove To Work On Midterms While In The White House?

[KittyWampus]

I thought you weren't allowed to campaign in the White House?

Or is it just fund raising that's illegal?

[ShortnFiery]

1. NOPE!

Nothing is illegal for the BushBotBorg to put their slimy footprints on unless "The Decider" makes it so. :puke:

[LSparkle]

2. You'd certainly think so, but his title is "Special Adviser" ...

or some other crap that hides what he's REALLY doing -- sliming Democrats. I'm sickened by the fact that we are PAYING for him to spew lies about our candidates. If he wants to do just politics, let the RNC or BFEE pay his friggin' salary!

[merbex]

3. If it was the State House in Boston it would be illegal

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/19/panel_tightens_rules_on_politics/

In fact they just tightened the rules

[debbierlus]

4. Rove will be gone before the summer comes

Fitzmas is coming

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Yes, it's a violation of the Hatch Act

However, seems no one feels like enforcing it.

[KittyWampus]

7. You get the Gold Star! Hatch Act of 1887. Bush Sr. Vetoed Attempt To Ditch

The original Act forbade intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political campaign activities by federal employees. It prohibited using any public funds designated for relief or public works for electoral purposes. It also forbade officials paid with federal funds from using promises of jobs, promotion, financial assistance, contracts, or any other benefit to coerce campaign contributions or political support.

The most restrictive measure was brought about by Republicans in the Senate. It dictated that persons below the policymaking level in the executive branch of the federal government must not only refrain from political practices that would be illegal for any citizen but must abstain from "any active part" in political campaigns.

An amendment on July 19, 1940 extended coverage to state and local employees whose salaries included any federal funds. This amendment also set an annual ceiling of $3 million for political parties' campaign expenditures and $5,000 for individual campaign contributions.


Hostility to the Act
The Act was appealed to the Supreme Court in 1947 and 1974, both times claiming it was a violation of free speech, and both times it was upheld.

A proposed amendment, which had the same argument in mind, to permit federal workers' participation in political campaigns passed the House but not the Senate in 1987; in 1990 a similar bill passed both houses but was vetoed by President George H. W. Bush, and the veto override failed in the House.

[ellenfl]

8. didn't rove

persons below the policymaking level in the executive branch of the federal government

just lose his policy making status? seems he fits into the definition for these restrictions. think anyone will call them on this?

ellen fl

[KittyWampus]

9. this is what I'm thinking. Seems like a golden opportunity to make a stink

remember how they harassed Gore for making phone calls from the WH?

[AlamoDemoc]

6. Good question...he's still in the government payroll right?