Vulnerable Democrats demand new IRS rules

It's seldom The Hill is this forthright. Generally the online publication meanders through controversy with profuse "on the other hand" caveats that only invite tedium but this post has some bite.

In the wake of the IRS targeting scandal, the Democrats are publicly prodding the agency instead of lobbying them directly. They are also careful to say the IRS should treat conservative and liberal groups equally, but they’re concerned about an impending tidal wave of attack ads funded by GOP-allied organizations. Much of the funding for those groups is secret, in contrast to the donations lawmakers collect, which must be reported publicly.

In other word they view the IRS as the political action wing of their Democratic Party.

“If they’re claiming the tax relief, the tax benefit to be a nonprofit for social relief or social justice, then that’s what they should be doing,” said Sen. Mark Begich (D), who faces a competitive race in Alaska. “If it’s to give them cover so they can do political activity, that’s abusing the tax code. And either side.”

What the Senator is saying is that the IRS should change the rules in the middle of the game. We now know that the proposed regulations the IRS plans to enact were begun "off line" in 2012. We also know that this conspiracy to silence the right involved not only IRS administrators but also the IRS's office of general counsel and Treasury officials. The regulation were drafted in part in secret and now Senate Democrats want them implemented before the election.
The Citizens United case did not cause the proliferation of political action committees. They have long existed on the left but when the Democrats get beat at their own game the rules must change. Publicly funded presidential elections were created by Democrats and supported by Democrats until 2008 when the Obama campaign sensed it could out raise the McCain campaign. Say good-bye to public financing.
Congressman Dave Camp has introduced legislation to stop implementation before the election but that is just symbolism. It will never be put to a vote in the Senate much less be signed by Obama. I'm no lawyer but I think someone will be able to find a federal judge to block the new regulations considering the IRS violated its own rules in drafting them. The targets here are the big players; Americans for Prosperity, The Club for Growth, and American Crossroads and they are playing for the 2016 elections. Even if the Republicans win the Senate and keep the House Obama will veto any reform.This is an uphill fight.