Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
doesn't have to worry anymore about that pesky investigation into his possible illegal coordination between his campaign and allegedly independent outside groups like the Club for Growth during the recall campaign. His state's Supreme Court is, by a four-two majority, not only putting a stop to the investigation but ordering that the evidence be returned or destroyed:
In its opinion released early Thursday, the majority said a state law outlawing such coordination was "unconstitutionally overbroad and vague under the First Amendment."
Never mind if Walker did or didn't coordinate—they're saying it's fine if he did. So coordinate away! Here's what the state's top election official said about this possibility before the ruling:
"A candidate could operate secret committees and direct them to run overwhelming and negative advertising, while the candidate remains above the fray and the public would not know the true source of the contributions and expenditures."
Oh, and about those conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court judges:
Some good-government groups questioned whether the four-member conservative majority, who benefited from a combined $8 million in outside spending by three groups targeted in the second John Doe probe, also should recuse.
Club for Growth, Citizens for a Strong America and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce spent millions to support the candidacies of Justices David Prosser, Pat Roggensack, Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman over the past seven years.
Nothing to see here, move along.