Gillespie sends Rock the Vote a Cease and Desist Letter

Wow.

Republican Party Chairman, Ed Gillespie, has sent a cease and desist letter to Rock the Vote. Their Crime?

The serfs are saying things he doesn't like. Students are talking about the draft.

Josh Marshall, of Talking Points Memo, writes:

Claims that a draft is possible, Gillespie argued, are so ridiculous on their face that the the group could only be acting from 'malicious intent and a reckless disregard for the truth.' (Those, of course, are catchphrases laying the groundwork for legal action.)

Gillespie's rationale for arguing that there is no basis for discussing the possibility of a draft is the say-so of the president. Gillespie quotes him saying, "We don't need the draft. Look, the all-volunteer force is working ..."

That, to Gillespie, is -- quite literally -- the end of the debate.

This move, if you think about it, is extraordinary. In a political campaign there are very few forms of political speech -- judged by content -- that should ever be subject to legal proceedings. But to threaten legal action to squelch discussion of a subject that is obviously a very newsworthy and relevant issue -- and one the country could face in the next four years -- is simply astonishing.

And yet, no editorial condemnations. Hardly a mention of it. These are now, apparently, the rules of the road -- expected and calling for no particular commenton.

That's even more astonishing.

RHINOs, it is time to break with your party. You know, and I know, that Gillespie's actions are not those of a mature American. Do you really want to associate yourselves with these guys? I sure don't. I actually have only one question for Gillespie:

Mr. Gillespie, why do you hate America?