Obama Again Tries to Muzzle Political Free Speech

The Washington Post reported today that the White House is drafting an Executive Order that would require potential federal government contractors to report their political contributions as part of the procurement procedure. The use of an Executive Order would circumvent the congressional approval process.

President Obama wants this obligation to be placed on federal contractors because he thinks it is crucial to allow taxpayers to learn more about the contractors seeking federal contracts, i.e., money.

Obama has tried this before, and failed, as part of what he has called a push for “transparency” in the electoral process.

Democrats have tended to support such a measure in the name of greater transparency.

Republicans have denounced the proposed executive order.

“Just last year, the Senate rejected a cynical effort to muzzle critics of this administration and its allies in Congress,” according to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky.) “Now, under the guise of ‘transparency,’ the Obama administration reportedly wants to know the political leanings of any company or small business, including those of their officers and directors, before the government decides if they’ll award them federal contracts.”

The US Supreme Court has already ruled that corporations, labor unions and interest groups may not be constrained in their political contributions if they operate independently.

Obama’s newest foray into transparency, otherwise known as manipulation of the political process to favor his own interests, would almost surely find its way to the Supreme Court where yet another of the President’s ideas to constrain political activity will undoubtedly be squelched - in yet another legal blow for the President who prides himself on being a constitutional law expert.