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Did Bush break the law in his White House address to the RNC?
Just wondering: was George Bush's address to the RNC from the White House illegal?
A fact page by the Office of Special Council says:
"The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government...These federal and D.C. employees may not...engage in political activity while...in a government office."
Is Bush an executive branch employee?
If not, is there some other law that enjoins him from using the White House as a prop in a speech at a party convention?
A fact page by the Office of Special Council says:
"The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government...These federal and D.C. employees may not...engage in political activity while...in a government office."
Is Bush an executive branch employee?
If not, is there some other law that enjoins him from using the White House as a prop in a speech at a party convention?
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Think about it. If the president were covered by the Hatch Act s/he couldn't run for reelection.
5 USC Sec. 7322
Sec. 7322. Definitions
-STATUTE-
For the purpose of this subchapter -
(1) "employee" means any individual, other than the President and the Vice President, employed or holding office in -
(A) an Executive agency other than the Government
Accountability Office;
(B) a position within the competitive service which is not in an Executive agency; or
(C) the government of the District of Columbia, other than the Mayor or a member of the City Council or the Recorder of
Deeds;
September 2, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
The intent of the legislation is to prevent federal employees from being coerced into working on politcal campaigns.
September 2, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
It also forbids even US Senators from making any political phone calls from their offices, so of course Bush is breaking the law. What else is new.
September 2, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Bush is turning on McCain or at least attempting to undermine his campaign. Rice just announced that they would provide one million dollars of aid to Georgia. This is what Obama and Biden called for two weeks ago. This keep happening; Obama's calls transformed into real policy by Bush. Same thing with Patreaus who now states that the troops may be out by summer. Whats going on here?
September 3, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink